Creating an Imprint and Crafting an Identity

In publishing, every format of a book—eBook, paperback, audiobook—needs its own ISBN, the official number used to identify and catalog it. When registering an ISBN, the author must provide a publisher name. That name appears wherever the book is listed: on retailer sites, in library systems, and in distributor databases.

For indie authors, creating a personal imprint is a smart long-term move. It marks a shift from hobbyist to professional, signaling intention and credibility. Without one, platforms like Amazon default to labeling the book as “Independently published.” While technically correct, that tag often places the book alongside a sea of casual or one-off projects. Other platforms like IngramSpark or Bowker will leave the publisher field blank unless an imprint is specified—missing an opportunity to establish a consistent, recognizable brand.

A custom imprint gives the author full control over their publishing identity. It creates a unified umbrella for future works, across genres or pen names, and builds trust with readers, reviewers, libraries, and retailers. It’s a signal that the author is in this for the long haul.

So I created a real imprint: 18th Hemlock Press.

The name is personal. 18th is the street I grew up on; Hemlock is the street my wife called home. Orange represents Oregon State, where we met. The imprint is a nod to our histories and a way to root this publishing journey into something real.

And like any well-built foundation, it’s designed to support everything that comes next.