BISAC Subject Headings: Standards Basics for the Independent Publishing Community, with Connie Harbison, Director of Quality Control, Baker & Taylor, April 2, 2014

Connie Harbison
Chairperson
BISAC Subject Committee
Introduction to BISAC Subjects
April 2, 2014

BISAC
What does BISAC stand for?
Book
Industry
Standards
And
Communications

BISG's Subject Codes Committee
maintains the BISAC Subject
Headings, Merchandising Themes,
and Regional Themes, and provides
guidance on the implementation and
use of the lists by publishers,
retailers, and other interested
parties.

• An industry-approved list of terms used to
describe the content of a book.
• 52 main subject areas:
– e.g. Computers, Family & Relationships, Fiction,
Juvenile Fiction and Juvenile Nonfiction, Nature
• Over 3,600 distinct terms.
What are BISAC Subject Headings?

• Developed to standardize electronic transfer
of subject information.
• First version issued in the 1990s:
Why and When were they created?
1.0 (~1995)
2.0 (Nov 1997)
2.1 (May 1999)
2.2 (Jan 2000)
2.3 (May 2000)
2.4 (Jan 2001)
2.5 (July 2001)
2.6 (May 2002)
2.7 (June 2003)
2.8 (March 2004)
2.9 (May 2005)
2006 (Sept 2006)
2007 (Sept 2007)
2008 (Nov 2008)
2009 (Sept 2009)
2010 (Sept 2010)
2011 (Sept 2011)
2012 (Sept 2012)
2013 (Oct 2013)

• To transmit subject information between trading
partners using a consistent syntax.
• To provide a common language for sales
reporting.
• As search terms in bibliographic databases.
• As access points in online search (i.e., Online
Discoverability).
• As bricks-and-mortar shelving guides.
How are they used?

• Major businesses within the book industry,
including:
– Major retailers, especially those who sell online
• B&N, Amazon
– Data aggregators
• Baker & Taylor, Bowker, Ingram
– Increasing numbers of publishers
– Wholesalers
– Nielsen BookScan
Who uses them?

• B&T’s Collection Development department uses
BISACs to create selection lists for libraries.
• If a title is prepub and has no Dewey or LC
information – BISAC is the only subject
information we have.
• Some libraries specify the inclusion or exclusion
of specific subjects or genres.
• An incorrect or general BISAC could result in
shipping a library a book they do not want.
Who else uses them?
INCORRECT BOOKS = RETURNS

What Do Headings Look Like?
• 9-character alphanumeric code in the form
AAA###### and a literal of the form SECTION
NAME / Subheading (with further
subheadings possible).
– MAT002040 MATHEMATICS / Algebra / Intermediate
– PET004010 PETS / Dogs / Breeds
– TRV028000 TRAVEL / Cruises

What Do Headings Look Like?
• The first three characters of a code represent
the section.
– PET004010 PETS / Dogs / Breeds
• The six numeric characters in the code are
dumb numbers though they may appear
hierarchical in some cases.
• Codes are intended for EDI use; literals are
intended for print/display purposes.

How Are New Headings Created?
• All requests received from within the industry are discussed and
considered.
– Note: Sometimes requests coming in are too vague to be discussed
intelligently.
– If you want to request a new heading – be clear!
• When creating a new heading, the following factors are considered:
– Are there over 100 unique titles published on this topic by different
publishers;
– Does an existing heading already exist that is similar and adequately
covers the topic;
– Does the requested subject describe a topic and not an author,
language, audience, etc.;
– Is the requested subject so broad that it does not fit in a single high
level heading (e.g., “Women’s Issues”) (these would normally be
rejected);
– Is the requested subject so narrow that no other publisher would use it.

How Often Are Headings Created?
• Minor revisions to each section are made on
an ongoing basis based on need and incoming
requests.
• Major revisions to each section are made on a
cyclical basis.
• New versions of the list are released on an
annual basis.
1.0 (~1995)
2.0 (Nov 1997)
2.1 (May 1999)
2.2 (Jan 2000)
2.3 (May 2000)
2.4 (Jan 2001)
2.5 (July 2001)
2.6 (May 2002)
2.7 (June 2003)
2.8 (March 2004)
2.9 (May 2005)
2006 (Sept 2006)
2007 (Sept 2007)
2008 (Nov 2008)
2009 (Sept 2009)
2010 (Sept 2010)
2011 (Sept 2011)
2012 (Sept 2012)
2013 (est. Oct 2013)
REMEMBER:

How Are Headings Assigned?
Determine main subject area.
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Pick the term(s) within the main
subject area that most closely fits
the book’s content.
Marriage
Alternative Family
Assign codes:
FAM030000 and FAM006000
(REL046000 should only be tertiary heading)
Kirkus Reviews
A behind-the-scenes look at the life of a
celebrity polygamist family. The
authors, Kody Brown and his wives
(Meri, Janelle, Christine and Robyn) tell
their story sequentially, writing
alternating chapters in each of the five
parts. They begin with Kody's first (and
only legal) marriage to Meri in 1990,
and then describe how the couple
brought the next two sister wives,
Christine and Robyn into their family. .
. Readers hoping to find out more
about the Mormon faith in general will
be disappointed. . .

Helpful Hints…
• If the title has numerous facets, it is
recommended that the process be repeated
for other relevant major sections.
• If possible, do a keyword search against the
entire subject list in order to identify all terms
that may be appropriate.
• If you cannot find a term for the narrowest
subject, try to broaden the subject.

More Helpful Hints…
• Refer to usage notes found at the beginning of
each major heading (see the BISG website).
• Cross-references may point you to a similar or
related subject.
• When assigning multiple subjects, keep in mind
logical guidelines and best practices.

Usage Notes
• Usage Notes: A short description at the beginning
of each major heading highlighting important
concepts in section. Found at www.bisg.org.
• Example:
HUMOR
Use subjects in this section only for individual works of humor or for
collections of humor. Critical works should be assigned "LITERARY CRITICISM
/ Humor" and any other subjects needed in the LITERARY CRITICISM section
(and should not be assigned any subjects in the HUMOR section).
Subjects containing the subheading "Form" and subjects containing the
subheading "Topic" may both be assigned to the same work as needed.

Cross-References
(See Also)
• “See Also” Reference: Suggests user looks elsewhere
in the heading list for a subject that is similar and
may be more appropriate.
• Example:
PERFORMING ARTS / Individual Director (see also BIOGRAPHY
& AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts)

• “See” Reference: Instructs user to use a different heading
within either the same or a different section.
• Example (same section):
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Doctors see Medical
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Nurses see Medical
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Physicians see Medical
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Surgeons see Medical
Use BIO017000 BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Medical
• Example (different section):
POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Racism see SOCIAL SCIENCE /
Discrimination & Race Relations
Use SOC031000 SOCIAL SCIENCE / Discrimination & Race Relations
Cross-References
(See)

Guidelines and Best Practices. . .

Guidelines and Best Practices
• The JUVENILE FICTION and JUVENILE NONFICTION sections
contain subjects for classifying titles aimed at children.
• Juvenile works should not be assigned subjects from any other
sections.
• A title should not have both a juvenile and an adult heading.
• All works assigned a JUVENILE FICTION or JUVENILE
NONFICTION subject must be assigned an age or grade range.
Juvenile Headings

• A title should not have both a fiction and a non-fiction
heading.
• Because the FICTION section is arranged by genre, if a
geographic breakdown is desired for a collection of
fiction, subjects may be assigned in both the FICTION and
LITERARY COLLECTIONS sections.
• A “Media Tie-In” subject should never be selected as the
primary subject (or the only subject!).

• Use subjects in the FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY section for
works about the languages specified. Do not use subjects in
this section to indicate the language of a work.
• Those HUMOR subjects containing the subheading “Form”
and subjects containing the subheading “Topic” may both be
assigned to the same work as needed.
• NON000000 (NON-CLASSIFIABLE) is for items that have no
subject content (such as blank books) or non-book products,
not for books that you have not yet classified. Do not use this
code just to populate the subject field—NON000000 means
that subjects are not applicable to an item.

• Use subjects in the HEALTH & FITNESS section
for works aimed at nonprofessionals. For
scholarly works and/or works aimed at
medical or health care professionals, use
subjects in the MEDICAL section.
• Certain other subject combinations also apply
to titles intended for a lay person vs. those
intended for a professional. These
combinations include Nature vs. Science, Self-
Help vs. Psychology.

A General Note. . .
• All major sections have GENERAL as a second
level term.
• This can be applied:
– For books covering the topic at the broadest level.
– For books of a very narrow scope that cannot be
better described by one of the other terms within
the relevant section.

It’s All About Content
• The category you choose should reflect the
primary content of the book.
• If you do not think there is an appropriate
subject, DO NOT USE NON000000 (Non-
classifiable). This is reserved for items that
have no subject content (such as blank books).

Remember. . .
• Selecting your book category is more of an art than a science.
- It is not always precise.
- There can be more than one “right” answer.
- You may need to expand your thought process.
• The category you choose should reflect the primary content of the book:
- It should not describe the format
- It should not describe the audience
- It should not describe the language
- It should not describe the author
• Other fields already exist in ONIX for most of this information!

Also Remember:
• Determine if there are multiple topics that
buyers may look for.
• Different buyers may approach books from
different angles, thus search different terms.
• Multiple topics may help a buyer zero in on
what they really want.

A Word (or Two) on FICTION
• FICTION / General
 This heading has very little meaning.
 B&T has over 200,000 records with FICTION / General on customer
facing product.
• FICTION / Literary
 FICTION / Literary ≠ FICTION / General
(but, it is might as well be. . .)
 Use this heading with care.
 Subjective heading usually reserved for award winning
authors or works of literary merit.
 Use with additional, more specific fiction heading.
 Misuse has rendered this heading practically useless.

FICTION “Trees”
• In BISAC  TREE = HIERARCHY
• Drill down into the tree as far as you can – the most useful subject
will be the most specific.
• It is not necessary to use a / General branch with a more specific
branch.
• For example: If you use FICTION / Romance / Fantasy, there is no
need to also use FICTION / Romance / General.
Example:
FICTION / Romance / General
FICTION / Romance / African American
FICTION / Romance / Collections & Anthologies
FICTION / Romance / Contemporary
FICTION / Romance / Erotica
FICTION / Romance / Fantasy
FICTION / Romance / Historical / General
FICTION / Romance / Paranormal
FICTION / Romance / Science Fiction
FICTION / Romance / Suspense
FICTION / Romance / Time Travel
FICTION / Romance / Western
FICTION / Romance / Historical / Ancient World
FICTION / Romance / Historical / Medieval
FICTION / Romance / Historical / Regency
FICTION / Romance / Historical / Scottish
FICTION / Romance / Historical / Victorian
FICTION / Romance / Historical / Viking

Some examples from Publisher’s ONIX
files:

Title below came in ONIX file with BISAC
FIC022000 FICTION / Mystery & Detective / General
Murders in a small town leave an armchair detective and her
pet family with too few motives, or perhaps too many. Mary
"Harry" Haristeen just can't stay out of trouble. Now, she and
her loyal brood of animals stumble upon a scarecrow whose
straw form has been replaced with a corpse. Harry didn't know
the late Joshua Hill and can't seem to find a reason anyone
would want him dead.
Increase Discoverability.
Use instead:
FIC022070
FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Cozy
FIC022040
FICTION / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths
The most specific BISAC is always the best.

Use ALL Relevant Headings
Both titles came in ONIX file with just BISAC
TRV022000 (TRAVEL / Restaurants)
Add location headings from TRAVEL to enhance record:
TRAVEL / Europe / France
TRAVEL / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA)

Title came in ONIX file with
BISAC OCC000000
BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / General
Beatrice Wood's Life has been extraordinary in every way, from earliest
childhood, when her dominating Victorian mother realized she "wasn't
like the rest of them," to her productive life at ninety-five in California's
Ojiai Valley. Rebellious, radical and romantic, Beatrice Wood was
determined to be an artist. She fled to Paris for several bohemian seasons
as a painter and actress, then returned to New York where she fell into the
loving clutches of two Frenchmen: Henri-Pierre Roche, the author of Jules
and Jim, and Marcel Duchamp, the iconoclastic Dadaist. Her promising
youth was followed by a disastrous marriage, financial woes and a
debilitating physical affliction; but in 1933, at the age of forty, she
discovered the passion that would change her life: pottery. Now one of
America's acclaimed ceramicists, Beatrice Wood shares the intriguing
details of her unconventional life in I Shock Myself. With candor and
insight, she recollects nearly ten decades of world shaking events, heart
breaking romances, and artistic achievement.
A Better Subject Would Be:
BIO001000
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Artists, Architects, Photographers
Look At Annotations – Find Keywords

Title came in ONIX file with
BISAC NAT000000
NATURE / General
A Better Subject Would Be:
OCC025000
BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / UFOs & Extraterrestrials
Use Title Keywords (Sometimes)

But, Not All the Time. . .
HUMOR / Form / Essays
LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Essays
RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Missions
Check Subtitles, Authors & Other Bibliographic Data

Title came in ONIX file with BISAC
NAT012000 NATURE / Animals / Fish
. . . And Grade Range P-7
Juvenile Titles Should Have JUV or JNF BISACs

Hardcover came in with:
JUV039030
JUVENILE FICTION /
Social Issues / Death & Dying
JUV039240
JUVENILE FICTION /
Social Issues / Depression &
Mental Illness
Paperback came in with:
JUV039020
JUVENILE FICTION /
Social Issues / Adolescence
JUV039050
JUVENILE FICTION /
Social Issues / Emotions &
Feelings
hardcover paperback
Different Bindings of the Same Book Should
Have the Same BISACs

Reminders
• The BISAC subject should be assigned based
on book’s content—not on the merchandising
plans of the publisher.
• Assign the most precise subject(s) applicable,
and do so in order of importance.
The most specific BISAC is always the best!

Reminders
• Consider the most important aspect of the
book when choosing the primary BISAC.
– Some data recipients take only the first one. . .
– . . .But others take more.
• There is no defined limit on the number of
BISACs assigned.
– The Committee suggests three as an artificial limit.
• Assign multiple subjects if necessary in order to
best describe your title.

Reminders
• If you already used a specific heading,
there is no need to include a General
from the same section or tree.
• The most General heading is the least
important heading (use it sparingly).

• There should be consistency across formats. In
other words, hardcover, paperback, mass
market, large print, audio books, and e-books
should all have the same BISAC subjects.
Reminders

Keep in mind. . .
Every rule
for using the
BISAC Subject Headings. . .
. . .has exceptions.
Reminders

BISAC Merchandising Themes
• A list of terms representing frequently requested
merchandising themes and topics.
• Can be used in addition to subject codes to denote:
– An audience to which a work may be of particular appeal.
– A time of year or event for which a work may be especially appropriate.
– A frequently requested topic.
• Allow booksellers to group (or merchandise) titles with
dissimilar BISACs all together.
• Formatted as AA###:
– EV100 (EVENT / Wedding)
– HL070 (HOLIDAY / Halloween)
– TP020 (TOPICAL / Black History)
• Although related, subject codes and theme codes should
not be placed in the same field.

BISAC Regional Themes
• Can be used for fiction or non-fiction to denote the regional
setting or the regional focus of the title.
• Formatted as a seven part hierarchical numeric code:
Level 1- Continents (4.0.0.0.0.0.0 – North America)
Level 2- Subcontinents (4.1.0.0.0.0.0 – Caribbean Islands )
Level 3- Countries (4.0.1.0.0.0.0 – USA)
Level 4- Subcountry regions (4.0.1.6.0.0.0 – Western & Pacific States)
Level 5- States, Provinces, Counties (4.0.1.6.3.0.0 – California)
Level 6- City, Town, Area (4.0.1.6.3.1.0 – Los Angeles)
Level 7- Borough, Neighborhood, District (4.0.1.6.3.1.1 – Beverly Hills)
• Like the Merchandising Themes, can group titles with
dissimilar BISACs.

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Review: Gr 7 Up— In a not-too-distant future, the
United States of America has collapsed, weakened
by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by
Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12
districts. Each year, two young representatives from
each district are selected by lottery to participate in
The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal
intimidation of the subjugated districts, the
televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem
as the 14 participants are forced to eliminate their
competitors, literally, with all citizens required to
watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister,
Prim, is selected as the mining district's female
representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place.
She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the
town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills
of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against
bigger, stronger representatives who have trained
for this their whole lives.

EXAMPLE 1
A.
FICTION / Dystopian
B.
JUVENILE FICTION / Dystopian
C.
FICTION / Dystopian
AND
JUVENILE FICTION / Dystopian

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Review: Gr 7 Up— In a not-too-distant future, the
United States of America has collapsed, weakened
by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by
Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12
districts. Each year, two young representatives from
each district are selected by lottery to participate in
The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal
intimidation of the subjugated districts, the
televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem
as the 14 participants are forced to eliminate their
competitors, literally, with all citizens required to
watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young
sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's
female representative, Katniss volunteers to take
her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the
son of the town baker who seems to have all the
fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be
pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who
have trained for this their whole lives.

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
Therese Anne Fowler
Publisher Description: When beautiful, reckless
Southern belle Zelda Sayre meets F. Scott Fitzgerald
at a country club dance in 1918, she is seventeen
years old and he is a young army lieutenant
stationed in Alabama. Before long, the “ungettable”
Zelda has fallen for him despite his unsuitability:
Scott isn’t wealthy or prominent or even a
Southerner, and keeps insisting, absurdly, that his
writing will bring him both fortune and fame. Her
father is deeply unimpressed. But after Scott sells
his first novel, This Side of Paradise, to Scribner’s,
Zelda optimistically boards a train north, to marry
him in the vestry of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and take
the rest as it comes. What comes, here at the dawn
of the Jazz Age. . .With brilliant insight and
imagination, Therese Anne Fowler brings us Zelda’s
irresistible story as she herself might have told it.

EXAMPLE 2
B.
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Women
A.
FICTION / Biographical
C.
FICTION / Biographical
AND
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Women

Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald
Therese Anne Fowler
Publisher Description: When beautiful, reckless
Southern belle Zelda Sayre meets F. Scott Fitzgerald
at a country club dance in 1918, she is seventeen
years old and he is a young army lieutenant
stationed in Alabama. Before long, the “ungettable”
Zelda has fallen for him despite his unsuitability:
Scott isn’t wealthy or prominent or even a
Southerner, and keeps insisting, absurdly, that his
writing will bring him both fortune and fame. Her
father is deeply unimpressed. But after Scott sells
his first novel, This Side of Paradise, to
Scribner’s, Zelda optimistically boards a train
north, to marry him in the vestry of St. Patrick’s
Cathedral and take the rest as it comes. What
comes, here at the dawn of the Jazz Age. . .With
brilliant insight and imagination, Therese Anne
Fowler brings us Zelda’s irresistible story as she
herself might have told it.

Revisiting Narnia:
Fantasy, Myth and Religion in C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles
Shanna Caughey (ed.)
Publisher Description:
Theologians, psychologists, academics, feminist
s, and fantasists offer humor, insight, and fresh
perspectives on the enchanting and beloved
Chronicles of Narnia series. Such contributors
as fantasists Sarah Zettel and Lawrence Watt-
Evans, children's literature scholar Naomi
Wood, and C.S. Lewis scholars Colin Duriez and
Joseph Pearce discuss topics such as J.R.R.
Tolkien and Middle Earth's influence on the
conception of Narnia, the relevance of allegory
for both Christians and non-Christians, the idea
of divine providence in Narnia, and Narnia's
influence on modern-day witchcraft. Fans of
the wildly popular series will revel in the
examination of all aspects of C.S. Lewis and his
magical Narnia.

B.
JUVENILE FICTION / Religious / Christian /
General
A.
FICTION / Christian / Classic & Allegory
C.
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Literary Criticism
& Collections
D.
LITERARY CRITICISM / Children's Literature
EXAMPLE 3

Revisiting Narnia:
Fantasy, Myth and Religion in C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles
Shanna Caughey (ed.)
Publisher Description: Theologians,
psychologists, academics, feminists, and
fantasists offer humor, insight, and fresh
perspectives on the enchanting and beloved
Chronicles of Narnia series. Such contributors
as fantasists Sarah Zettel and Lawrence Watt-
Evans, children's literature scholar Naomi
Wood, and C.S. Lewis scholars Colin Duriez and
Joseph Pearce discuss topics such as J.R.R.
Tolkien and Middle Earth's influence on the
conception of Narnia, the relevance of allegory
for both Christians and non-Christians, the idea
of divine providence in Narnia, and Narnia's
influence on modern-day witchcraft. Fans of
the wildly popular series will revel in the
examination of all aspects of C.S. Lewis and his
magical Narnia.

Publisher Description: Recipes reflect the
Vineyard’s complete culinary heritage that also
includes Wampanoag Indians, English and
Scottish whaling families, and Portuguese
fishermen. Chapters are devoted to chowders,
seafood, shellfish, meat and poultry, and local
produce such as berries, walnuts, and pumpkins.
Additional chapters include recipes for salads,
side dishes, breads, cakes, pies and puddings,
marmalades, sauces, and other good things!
Photographs and sidebars focusing on Vineyard
folklore and natural history imbue the book with
a nostalgic charm that allows anyone to take
home a little part of the island.
The Martha’s Vineyard Cookbook:
Over 250 Recipes and Lore from a Bountiful Island
Louise Tate King and Jean Stewart Wexler

EXAMPLE 4
A.
COOKING / Regional & Ethnic / General
B.
COOKING / Regional & Ethnic / American / General
C.
COOKING / Regional & Ethnic / American / New England
D.
All of the above

Publisher Description: Recipes reflect the
Vineyard’s complete culinary heritage that also
includes Wampanoag Indians, English and
Scottish whaling families, and Portuguese
fishermen. Chapters are devoted to
chowders, seafood, shellfish, meat and
poultry, and local produce such as
berries, walnuts, and pumpkins. Additional
chapters include recipes for salads, side
dishes, breads, cakes, pies and
puddings, marmalades, sauces, and other good
things! Photographs and sidebars focusing on
Vineyard folklore and natural history imbue the
book with a nostalgic charm that allows anyone
to take home a little part of the island.
The Martha’s Vineyard Cookbook:
Over 250 Recipes and Lore from a Bountiful Island
Louise Tate King and Jean Stewart Wexler

Danza de Dragones
George R. R. Martin
Publisher Description: Después de una colosal
batalla, Daenerys Targaryen gobierna con sus tres
dragones como la reina de una ciudad construida
sobre polvo y muerte. Pero Daenerys tiene miles de
enemigos, y muchos se han propuesto dar con ella. . .
(Translated: In the aftermath of a colossal battle,
Daenerys Targaryen rules with her three dragons as
queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys
has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to
find her. . .)

B.
FICTION / Hispanic & Latino
A.
FICTION / Fantasy / Epic
C.
LITERARY COLLECTIONS / European / Spanish & Portuguese
D.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Spanish
F.
FICTION / Fantasy / Epic
AND
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Spanish
E.
All of the above
EXAMPLE 5

The Enchanted Wanderer: And Other Stories
Nikolai Leskov
Nikolai Leskov's writing exploded the conventions of
nineteenth-century Russian fiction. Here is the other
Russia, mythical and untamed: an uneasy synthesis of
Orthodoxy and Old Believers, a land populated by
soldiers and monks, serfs and princes, Tartars and
gypsies—a vast country brimming with the promise
of magic. These seventeen tales, some rooted in the
oral tradition, others cast as sophisticated anecdotes,
are all told in the voices of storytellers addressing
their audience—allowing us, as readers, to join a
group of listeners. Innovative in form and rich in
wordplay, the narratives unfurl in startlingly modern
ways. The great gift of this new translation allows us
to hear all the nuances of Leskov’s brilliant language.

EXAMPLE 6
A.
FICTION / Short Stories (single author)
B.
LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Russian &
Former Soviet Union
C.
FICTION / Short Stories (single author)
AND
LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Russian & Former
Soviet Union

Getting Groomed:
The Ultimate Wedding Planner for Gay Grooms
Jason Mitchell
Finally, a fun wedding organizer for gay
grooms! Packaged in a sleek two-ring binder
that will slip easily into a messenger bag or
briefcase, this planner covers every aspect of
the event so the big day goes off without a
hitch. Focusing on the details of the
celebration and steering away from the politics
of gay marriage, Getting Groomed offers a
refreshing approach to readers planning a
wedding or commitment ceremony. Couples
will learn how to set a budget, organize the
guest list, design invitations, dress and style for
the big day, and much more. With fill-in
worksheets, pockets for stashing important
forms and contracts, a master timeline, and
plenty of wit and charm, this elegant planner is
the resource—and perfect gift—for stylish
grooms-to-be.

EXAMPLE 7
A.
NON-CLASSIFIABLE
B.
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Marriage &
Long Term Relationships
C.
REFERENCE / Weddings
D.
NON-CLASSIFIABLE
AND
REFERENCE / Weddings

Silver Linings Playbook
Matthew Quick
A heartwarming debut novel, now a major movie by
David O. Russell - nominated for eight Academy
Awards (including Best Picture), four Golden
Globes, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards!. .
.David O. Russell, the Oscar-nominated director of
The Fighter, is helming his own adaptation of The
Silver Linings Playbook, featuring Bradley Cooper in
the role of Pat, alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Robert
De Niro, Julia Stiles, Chris Tucker, and Jacki Weaver.

EXAMPLE 8
A.
FICTION / Media Tie-In
B.
C.
FICTION / Media Tie-In
AND

The Viking’s Touch
Joanna Fulford
His old life shattered, Wulfgar Ragnarsson lives only
for the moment, cheating death and growing rich as
a legendary mercenary. His heart may be frozen,
but his desire burns hot for courageous widow Lady
Anwyn, who needs his protection…. For the safety of
her son, Anwyn will risk everything. Even giving
herself to a Viking warrior who teaches her not all
men are monsters, although he shows little sign
that he will ever again be capable of love.

EXAMPLE 9
A.
FICTION / Romance / General
B.
FICTION / Romance / Historical /
General
C.
FICTION / Romance / Historical / Viking
D.
All of the above

The Viking’s Touch
Joanna Fulford
His old life shattered, Wulfgar Ragnarsson lives only
for the moment, cheating death and growing rich as
a legendary mercenary. His heart may be
frozen, but his desire burns hot for courageous
widow Lady Anwyn, who needs his protection…. For
the safety of her son, Anwyn will risk everything.
Even giving herself to a Viking warrior who teaches
her not all men are monsters, although he shows
little sign that he will ever again be capable of love.

Questions?
To BISAC or not to BISAC

Thank You.
For more information, please contact me at:
connie.harbison@baker-taylor.com

BISAC Subject Headings: Standards Basics for the Independent Publishing Community, with Connie Harbison, Director of Quality Control, Baker & Taylor, April 2, 2014

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BISAC Subject Headings: Standards Basics for the Independent Publishing Community, with Connie Harbison, Director of Quality Control, Baker & Taylor, April 2, 2014