Means “International Standard Book Number.” It is the official way that bookstores order books and make sure they are getting hte right book and the right edition (and not, say, the dozen other versions of Pride and Prejudice rather than the Penguin one). When you order using the ISBN, you get that book, and that book only.
Which leads me to my next point. I have an ISBN of my very own. My first. It’s bouncing, bubbly, truly fantastic. I’ll have to do the numerology of it later. 
Here it is:
0-385-34002-8
Isn’t that pretty? I think it might be the nicest one I’ve ever seen.
Lo, little ISBN. How goes it? Aren’t you the cutest little thing! What a puddum!
So, if you happen to be in a bookstore 309 days from now (309!) — or heck, let’s say 300, because there’s pre-ordering — and you want my book, order it by number.
It’s got one.
August 22nd, 2005 at 3:43 pm
AWWW! You made me all teary-eyed. Seriously. You have your own ISBN! I was thinking of mine the other day (my future one), and you getting yours just made me soooo happy for you!
I know, I’m a sentimental slob. Shoot me.
Shannon
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August 22nd, 2005 at 6:21 pm
Chill bumps for me. And I’d already been introduced to the ISBN number. Every stage of the process for you continues to bring a smile (and sometimes watery eyes) to my face!!
I think you need a countdown clock to your publication date!
Big hugs!
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August 22nd, 2005 at 9:34 pm
You’re a momma!
Just think..it wants siblings…get back to writing.
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August 23rd, 2005 at 8:18 am
Well, it’s already got a little sis coming — I’m like a kangaroo, always pregnant.
I think I”ll have to hold off gestation for a little while longer, while I finish getting this one all wrapped up in its swaddling clothes.
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