The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) has published the 2023 update to its book publishing subject codes, often referred to as BISAC Subject Headings.
This update post is a big one, so here’s a TL;DR for those who want to know the quick links:
|
The updated BISAC subject list is available to purchase and download from BISG (it’s free for their members), but can also be accessed online by anyone for free.
For those of you new to BISAC, here’s a quick rundown: BISAC subject codes are updated each year in response to changing usage in the industry and requests submitted to the BISAC Subject Codes Committee. The best practice is to use the most current version of the BISAC subject list to classify both frontlist and backlist titles. If you’re a publisher, it’s typically a good idea to check with retailers before sending out changes, to ensure that their systems are up-to-date and can accept the new codes.
BISAC changes can come in a few different forms: sometimes the “literal” or descriptive text of a subject heading changes while the code remains the same. In other cases, codes are made inactive or new codes are added. Looking for the shorthand version? BookNet has your back. Keep reading for an overview of some of the key changes made in the 2023 edition, or you can see the core list of changes available here.
BookNet’s products & services all updated with the 2023 list of codes
Data suppliers and recipients are encourages to update systems to the latest version of BISAC as soon as it is released. Why, you ask? Problems can occur when trading partners are using different versions of the subject headings. As the BISAC FAQ attests:
We strongly encourage all trading partners to update to the most current version of the headings. If you are using ONIX for Books to send BISAC Subject Headings, a data element within the protocol will allow you to advise your trading partner of the version of the list you are using. The options for differences between lists lie with the receiver in a trading partner relationship. If receivers are using an older version, then they must either update their database or ignore new headings with which they are not familiar. If receivers are using a newer version, then they have the option of discarding or accepting any inactivated headings that are transmitted to them.
Accordingly, all BookNet products & services have been updated with the 2023 list of codes:
You can run reports in SalesData & LibraryData against the new BISAC codes.
You can search in CataList using the updated BISAC codelist.
You can assign codes from the new list of codes in our Webform for ONIX Creation.
You can send and receive records and files in BiblioShare containing codes from the 2023 list.
You can translate codes old and new (though not deprecated) in BookNet Canada and the Book Industry Study Group’s BISAC to Thema Translator.
These updates have been completed in record time by BookNet’s staff team and our kudos goes to all of our colleague who made it happen. Thank you, Team BookNet!
Reminder: Update your systems!
Data senders do not want data recipients to ignore new headings. Data recipients want error-free records. Don’t delay, update today!
New codes & changes to the “literal” or descriptive text for select headings relating to Indigenous Peoples: How we did it
The 2023 list is the result of a significant investment on BookNet’s part to advocate for changes concerning representations of Indigeneity in the list. Following our successes advocating for changes to the 2022 BISAC list, which itself was then a culmination of a process which started back in 2018, when BookNet first started advocating for Canadian market interests regarding Indigenous terminology and representation in the BISAC list.
Since 2018, we have collected feedback and requests from supply chain participants, who identified gaps in representation and missing Indigenous worldviews. While some subjects did have Indigenous-specific codes, such as in Fiction and in later years the Juvenile and Young Adult categories, most of the other 47 major headings had limited Indigenous representation. Where Indigenous subjects did exist, publishers confirmed they wanted increased granularity represented in those subjects: i.e., FICTION / Indigenous was not going to cut it. Moreover, even a cursory glance at the list exposed the conscious & unconscious bias in the headings and structure (think of the hierarchical, tree-like design of list, with major and minor headings nested under each other).
All of this results in a persistent catch-22 for publishers of Indigenous content: a publisher either has to select a subject code that does not represent Indigeneity authentically to respond to market opportunities, or choose to honour Indigenous worldviews and have limited BISAC engagement, impacting access to entire markets, channels, and sales opportunities.
We also had strong feedback from BISAC users following the release of a handful of new codes in and changes to the 2022 list. Particularly, Indigenous-owned and -operated presses and the authors working with them passed along feedback and encouragement to continue: there was a clear call to see changes and new codes extend beyond the Juvenile and Young Adult subject areas.
In late 2022, BookNet Canada, through the Canadian National Bibliographic Committee, assembled a Working Group, which started meeting in December 2022 with 13 meetings spanning until June 2023. The Working Group engaged cross-functionally and job title-agnostically with firms: we worked with people making Indigenous books, not just the data people.
Our Working Group had 17 participants, including a US-based representative. This was a tactical decision such that any recommendations from the Working Group would present a united front when making our requests to the BISG’s Subject Code Committee (which administers the list). We knew it would lend strength to our requests to present a “whole market” request for North America.
As our Working Group met, several themes emerged when evaluating the-then current BISAC edition (which was the 2022 edition):
need for more codes
need for more codes that reflect an Indigenous worldview
need for distinction between market participants (“Canadian”, “US”, and international)
need for codes to be more “visible” and discoverable by data providers and data recipients
Our working group also expanded its scope as time progressed and began examining the use of the word “ethnic” where it appears in existing codes and suggesting alternative language, as well as examining where some groups of people are sub-classified in subheadings and others are not.
New codes & changes to the “literal” or descriptive text for select headings relating to Indigenous Peoples: Recommended coding Methodology
One of the greatest challenges of the work that was done was to build a coding recommendation that would synthesize into the existing BISAC structure, as it was far too outside of the scope to restructure BISAC entirely, at least not at this time.
The Working Group landed on an approach that we call the “three branch” methodology, This follows the existing (seen in the 2022 list) approach in the Young Adult categories where there are “Indigenous”, “Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island”, and “Native American” subheadings. We also felt this approach addressed the transnational issue that had been brought to BookNet in the past regarding the division of Indigenous headings across Canadian and US state lines. Our intent is that, where further child subheadings are required, only the “Indigenous” branch will collect subheadings.
What this looks like functionally is three branches, where the main “Indigenous” branch has subheadings, and then there are two additional subheadings to indicate a market content or further specify the “Canadian-ness” or “American-ness” of the book:
|
MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous; OR
MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous / General MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous / Subheading 1 MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous / Subheading 2 AND MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island 🇨🇦AND MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Native American 🇺🇸 |
Therefore, when one of the MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous codes are selected to describe the book's content, the publisher could also select either MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island or MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Native American, effectively double-coding with regional information:
| Code | Connotes content relevant to buyers and/or readers interested in… |
|---|---|
| MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island | “Canadian” content 🇨🇦 |
| MAIN SUBJECT CODE HEADING / Native American | "US" content 🇺🇸 |
This conservative proposal (akin to “double coding” approaches used elsewhere in the list) has benefits:
it enriches meaning & understanding of the selected “Indigenous” heading;
it offers opportunities for market differentiation; and
it opens up opportunities in the future to add additional, more precise groups (such as First Nations, Inuit & Métis).
And both non-branches could be used independently, if there was not an appropriate Indigenous code to select: Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island; or Native American.
New codes & changes to the “literal” or descriptive text for select headings relating to Indigenous Peoples: Highlighted new codes & changes
Fiction
The Fiction section is a showcase for the Working Group’s thoughtful consideration and advocacy for infusing an Indigenous worldview into the BISAC codelist. What follows are the new and changed codes:
| Code | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|
| FIC059000 | FICTION / Indigenous converted to a general code | FICTION / Indigenous / General |
| FIC059010 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / City Life |
| FIC059020 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Elders |
| FIC059030 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Erotica |
| FIC059040 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Family Life |
| FIC059050 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Historical |
| FIC059060 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Horror |
| FIC059070 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Indigenous Futurism |
| FIC059080 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Life Stories |
| FIC059090 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Mystery & Detective |
| FIC059100 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Oral Storytelling & Teachings |
| FIC059110 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Science Fiction |
| FIC059120 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous / Women |
| FIC135000 | addition | FICTION / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island |
| FIC137000 | addition | FICTION / Native American |
| FIC005100 | addition | FICTION / Erotica / LGBTQ+ / Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer |
| FIC009150 | addition | FICTION / Fantasy / Indigenous |
| YAF031050 | addition | FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer |
| FIC027510 | addition | FICTION / Romance / Indigenous |
| FIC027520 | addition | FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ / Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer |
Please note that the changes presented here are highlights resulting from our Working Group’s advocacy. Please refer to Differences Between the 2022 and 2023 Editions for a complete list of new codes, changes, and deletions across all major headings.
“Nonfiction”
Let's move into so-called “Adult Nonfiction”, which we consider all codes that are not Fiction, or in the Juvenile or Young Adult categories. Note that the term “Adult” doesn’t appear anywhere in the BISAC list, but I’m using it because I feel it helps keep us on the same page. Nor are any of these so-called adult major headings termed “Nonfiction” in official BISAC terminology (i.e., BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / General appears as such, not NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / General).
Similar to the changes to the “People & Places” trees in all Juvenile and Young Adult Fiction & Nonfiction categories described before, the so-called “adult nonfiction” category of Biography & Autobiography, has been reworked: groups of People clustered under the Cultural, Ethnic & Regional subheading and are now top-level Biography & Autobiography categories, as you can see here:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO002000 | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / General | new literal | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural & Regional |
| BIO028000 | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / Indigenous | removed from tree | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Indigenous |
| BIO039000 | addition | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island | |
| BIO040000 | addition | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Native American | |
| BIO002010 | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / African American & Black | removed from tree | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / African American & Black |
| BIO002040 | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / Arab & Middle Eastern | removed from tree | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Arab & Middle Eastern |
| BIO002020 | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / Asian & Asian American | removed from tree | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Asian & Asian American |
| BIO002030 | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / Hispanic & Latino | removed from tree | BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Hispanic & Latino |
Prior to our Working Group’s advocacy, there were 14 codes reflecting Indigeneity across all 47 major “Adult Nonfiction” headings. We will cover some of the highlights here, starting with Religion:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| REL029000 | RELIGION / Indigenous, Folk & Tribal | new literal | RELIGION / Folk & Tribal |
| REL124000 | addition | RELIGION / Indigenous / General | |
| REL124010 | addition | RELIGION / Indigenous / Ceremony & Spiritual Practice | |
| REL124020 | addition | RELIGION / Indigenous / Sacred Stories | |
| REL124030 | addition | RELIGION / Indigenous / Scripture & Prayerbooks | |
| REL124040 | addition | RELIGION / Indigenous / Spirituality | |
| REL124050 | addition | RELIGION / Indigenous / Teachings | |
| REL125000 | addition | RELIGION / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island | |
| REL126000 | addition | RELIGION / Native American |
New codes and changes to the Art category similarly shows the dedication and skill of the Working Group and the subjected approved by the Subject Code Committee. The Working Group very tactically proposed these Techniques for the Art category and not Crafts and Hobbies, to confer the respect they command. In the use notes for the Crafts and Hobbies category, the BISG directs users to “use subjects in Crafts and Hobbies for works discussing technique from a craft (as opposed to fine art) viewpoint.” The Working Group wanted to be sure that Indigenous artistic accomplishments were elevated above the “craft” assignation they are so commonly given:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART041000 | ART / Indigenous Art of the Americas | new literal | ART / Indigenous |
| ART070000 | addition | ART / Indigenous Art of Turtle Island | |
| ART069000 | addition | ART / American / Native American | |
| ART071000 | addition | ART / Techniques / Basketry | |
| ART072000 | addition | ART / Techniques / Beadwork | |
| ART074000 | addition | ART / Techniques / Leatherwork & Hidework | |
| ART075000 | addition | ART / Techniques / Quillwork | |
| ART076000 | addition | ART / Techniques / Textiles & Weaving | |
| ART015130 | addition | ART / History / European / General | |
| ART015090 | ART / History / Baroque & Rococo | new literal | ART / History / European / Baroque & Rococo |
| ART015070 | ART / History / Medieval | new literal | ART / History / European / Medieval |
| ART015080 | ART / History / Renaissance | new literal | ART / History / European / Renaissance |
| ART015120 | ART / History / Romanticism | new literal | ART / History / European / Romanticism |
| ART015140 | addition | ART / History / Indigenous |
History proved to be one of the longest discussions we had as a Working Group, and you can see the results here:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIS028000 | HISTORY / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas | new literal; converting to a general | HISTORY / Indigenous / General |
| HIS028010 | addition | HISTORY / Indigenous / Creation & Origins | |
| HIS028020 | addition | HISTORY / Indigenous / Migration | |
| HIS028030 | addition | HISTORY / Indigenous / Archaeological Stages & Interpretations of Oral History | |
| HIS028040 | addition | HISTORY / Indigenous / Contact, European Invasion & Exploration | |
| HIS028050 | addition | HISTORY / Indigenous / Colonial History & Interaction with Nations, Tribes, Bands & Communities | |
| HIS028060 | addition | HISTORY / Indigenous / Modern | |
| HIS069000 | addition | HISTORY / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island | |
| HIS070000 | addition | HISTORY / Native American |
Similarly for Political Science, we discussed this over several meetings and landed on the following codes:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| POL074000 | addition | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Indigenous / General | |
| POL074010 | addition | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Indigenous / Governance & Sovereignty | |
| POL074020 | addition | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Indigenous / Reconciliation | |
| POL074030 | addition | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Indigenous / Treaties & Agreements | |
| POL075000 | addition | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island | |
| POL076000 | addition | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Native American |
Our “three branch” approach is seen in the Drama, Literary Collections, Literary Criticism & Poetry categories; as seen here for Drama:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRA020000 | DRAMA / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas | new literal | DRAMA / Indigenous |
| DRA022000 | addition | DRAMA / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island | |
| DRA023000 | addition | DRAMA / Native American |
Keeping our attention to the misuse of the work “Ethnic” across the list, we advocated for the 45 codes under the Regional & Ethnic subheading in Cooking to be reclassified as Regional & Cultural. Similarly, we advocated for changes in-line for the Ethnic Studies section under Social Science but we were not successful in that regard, as Ethnic Studies continues to be a term used widely in academia. Instead we were able to reposition them as Cultural & Ethnic Studies.
Here are a collection of additional “Nonfiction” codes in the 2023 list that resulted from our Working Group’s recommendations:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS119000 | addition | BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Indigenous Economies | |
| EDU062000 | addition | EDUCATION / Cultural Pedagogies | |
| FAM060000 | addition | FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Chosen Family | |
| FAM061000 | addition | FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Indigenous Families | |
| HEA056000 | addition | HEALTH & FITNESS / Indigenous Health & Healing | |
| LAN030000 | addition | LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Orality | |
| LAW110000 | LAW / Indigenous Law | new literal | LAW / Indigenous Law & Legal Systems |
| MAT043000 | addition | MATHEMATICS / Social & Cultural Aspects | |
| MED122000 | addition | MEDICAL / Indigenous Health & Healing | |
| MED123000 | addition | MEDICAL / Multicultural Medicine | |
| MUS056000 | addition | MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Indigenous | |
| NAT050000 | addition | NATURE / Cultural Botany | |
| NAT052000 | addition | NATURE / Indigenous Stewardship | |
| PER021000 | PERFORMING ARTS / Dance / Regional & Ethnic | new literal | PERFORMING ARTS / Dance / Cultural & Regional |
| PHI050000 | addition | PHILOSOPHY / Indigenous | |
| SEL050000 | addition | SELF-HELP / Indigenous Mental Health & Healing | |
| SCI104000 | addition | SCIENCE / Indigenous Knowledge & Perspectives | |
| TEC075000 | addition | TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Indigenous Knowledge & Perspectives |
Recall that the changes presented here are highlights resulting from our Working Group’s advocacy. Please refer to the list of Differences Between the 2022 and 2023 Editions for a complete list of new codes, changes, and deletions across all major headings.
Juvenile & Young Adult
An important and wide-ranging set of changes, the “People & Places” trees in all Juvenile and Young Adult Fiction & Nonfiction categories are no more and has been reworked. The “People” previously grouped under “People and Peoples” are now top-level subheadings, i.e.:
JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous
JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island
JUVENILE FICTION / Native American
…and more.
This recommendation impacts 71 codes in total: please refer to the list of Differences Between the 2022 and 2023 Editions.
Our second task was to tackle the much-loathed “Legends, Myths & Fables” code in Juvenile and Young Adult Fiction. Reports to BookNet Canada asserted that Indigenous owned and/or operated firms avoid this code as they feel it is disrespectful to their Peoples:
For many Indigenous cultures, their stories, teachings and values make up their worldview, that of a living culture, and the connotation of being grouped with legacy (historical) or fictional cultures is offensive harmful.
Moreover, grouping into an omnibus code that includes all three components (Legends, Myths & Fables) suggests these stories (incl. Sacred stories) are untrue.
This perpetuates colonial and Eurocentric ways of thinking that Indigenous worldviews do not deserve to be upheld in the same way as others’. After all, BISAC codes do not consider Christian worldviews as “Legends, Myths and Fables”: that would be disrespectful to the beliefs of that community.
Our Working Group’s recommendation, which was successful, was the the JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas be removed and publishers be directed to other appropriate, available codes to re-code their books.
| This means publishers will have to re-code books that currently use the code JUV012080 JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas. BookNet can and will assist — I have a list ready that I can send with ISBNs using this code that I am happy to share. Just email me at lauren@booknetcanada.ca and I’ll send it over. |
Additional Juvenile Fiction code changes and additions follow:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| JUV083000 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / General | |
| JUV083010 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Animal Stories | |
| JUV083020 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Cautionary Tales | |
| JUV083030 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Elders | |
| JUV083040 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Family Life | |
| JUV083050 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Historical | |
| JUV083060 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Life Stories | |
| JUV083070 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Oral Stories | |
| JUV083080 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Indigenous / Retellings | |
| JUV082000 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / First Nations | |
| JUV084000 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Inuit | |
| JUV085000 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Métis | |
| JUV081000 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Biracial & Multiracial | |
| JUV008210 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Indigenous | |
| JUV009130 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Concepts / Language | |
| JUV012020 | JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Ethnic | new literal | JUVENILE FICTION / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Country & Cultural |
| JUV013100 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Grandparents | |
| JUV087000 | addition | JUVENILE FICTION / Trickster Tales |
Similarly, additional Young Adult Fiction code changes and additions follow, with the brancing of LGBTQ+, which allowed the adding the aforementioned Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer category you saw in Adult Fiction, above:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| YAF046180 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / Cautionary Tales | |
| YAF046190 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / City Life | |
| YAF046200 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / Family Life | |
| YAF046210 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / Historical | |
| YAF046220 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / Life Stories | |
| YAF046230 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / Oral Stories | |
| YAF046240 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / Retellings | |
| YAF046250 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Indigenous / Teachings | |
| YAF077000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / First Nations | |
| YAF078000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Inuit | |
| YAF079000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Métis | |
| YAF076000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Biracial & Multiracial | |
| YAF010220 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Indigenous | |
| YAF010230 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island | |
| YAF010240 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Native American | |
| YAF031000 | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ | converting to a general | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / General |
| YAF031010 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Bisexual | |
| YAF031020 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Gay | |
| YAF031020 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Gay | |
| YAF031020 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Gay | |
| YAF031030 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian | |
| YAF031040 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Transgender | |
| YAF031050 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer | |
| YAF019070 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Fantasy / Indigenous | |
| YAF052080 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Indigenous | |
| YAF056040 | addition | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Science Fiction / Indigenous Futurism |
Our Working Group didn’t stop at Fiction categories in Juvenile and Young Adult. New and changed nonfiction codes follow:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| JNF076000 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / General | |
| JNF076010 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Animal Stories | |
| JNF076020 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Elders | |
| JNF076030 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Family Life | |
| JNF076040 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Health & Healing | |
| JNF076050 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / History | |
| JNF076060 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Land-Based Knowledge | |
| JNF076070 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Indigenous / Reconciliation | |
| JNF075000 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / First Nations | |
| JNF077000 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Inuit | |
| JNF078000 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Métis | |
| JNF007050 | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional | new literal | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Cultural & Regional |
| JNF074000 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biracial & Multiracial | |
| JNF019100 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Family / Grandparents | |
| JNF020010 | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Foreign Language Study / English as a Second Language | new literal | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Language Study / English as a Second Language |
| JNF020020 | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Foreign Language Study / French | new literal | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Language Study / French |
| JNF020000 | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Foreign Language Study / General | new literal | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Language Study / General |
| JNF020030 | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Foreign Language Study / Spanish | new literal | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Language Study / Spanish |
| JNF049340 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Religion / Indigenous / General | |
| JNF049350 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Religion / Indigenous / Ceremony & Spiritual Practice | |
| JNF049360 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Religion / Indigenous / Sacred Stories | |
| JNF049370 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Religion / Indigenous / Scripture & Prayerbooks | |
| JNF049380 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Religion / Indigenous / Spirituality | |
| JNF038140 | JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island / Teachings & Traditions | new literal | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Religion / Indigenous / Teachings & Traditions |
| JNF020040 | addition | JUVENILE NONFICTION / Language Study / Indigenous Languages in the Americas |
Similarly, additional Young Adult Nonfiction code changes and additions follow, with the branching of LGBTQ+, which allowed the adding the aforementioned Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer category you saw in Adult Fiction, above:
| Code | 2022 Literal | Change | 2023 Literal |
|---|---|---|---|
| YAN038170 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Indigenous / Elders | |
| YAN038180 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Indigenous / Family Life | |
| YAN038190 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Indigenous / Health & Healing | |
| YAN038200 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Indigenous / History | |
| YAN038210 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Indigenous / Land-Based Knowledge | |
| YAN038220 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Indigenous / Reconciliation | |
| YAN063000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / First Nations | |
| YAN064000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Inuit | |
| YAN065000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Métis | |
| YAN062000 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Biracial & Multiracial | |
| YAN020040 | addition | YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Language Study / Indigenous Languages in the Americas |
Recall that the changes presented here are highlights resulting from our Working Group’s advocacy. Please refer to the list of Differences Between the 2022 and 2023 Editions for a complete list of new codes, changes, and deletions across all major headings.
A reminder: What BISAC subjects are, and what they are not
BISAC Subject Codes (or BISAC Subject Headings) are intended to describe the content of a book and were developed for publishers to communicate with retailers, and the general book trade, the store section in which a title best fits, and will sell best. They’re also helpful in organizing internal databases and public websites, such as those offered by online retailers. There may also be business functions associated with the codelist, such as buyers for large retailers purchasing titles for their employer based on subject categories, where the list is divided up by more than one buyer. But, when it comes down to it, they are intended to tell supply chain participants what the book is generally “about”, or that it is most likely to sell when grouped together with other books that have that “aboutness” in common.
With some exceptions, BISAC codes are not designed to tell anyone anything about the identity of the book’s contributor(s). Exceptions occur in the Drama, Poetry, Literary Collections, and Fiction sections. See the following application notes for Drama:
Subjects with a place or group of people, e.g., "DRAMA / American / Hispanic & Latino" or "DRAMA / Canadian" are intended for works written by authors commonly identified as being from the country or region specified. They are not meant to indicate the setting or language (original or translated) of a work. For multinational authors, or authors not associated with the country in which they were born, use your discretion in deciding which location the author is most commonly identified with.
Similarly, Poetry:
Subjects with a place or group of people, e.g., "POETRY / American / Hispanic & Latino" or "POETRY / Canadian" are intended for works by authors commonly identified as being from the country or region specified. They are not meant to indicate the setting or language (original or translated) of a work. For multinational authors, or authors not associated with the country in which they were born, use your discretion in deciding which location the author is most commonly identified with.
And, Literary Collections:
Subjects with a place or group of people, e.g., "LITERARY COLLECTIONS / American / Hispanic & Latino" or "LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Canadian" are intended for collections by authors commonly identified as being from the country or region specified. They are not meant to indicate the setting or language (original or translated) of a work. For multinational authors, or authors not associated with the country in which they were born, use your discretion in deciding which location the author is most commonly identified with.
While it would be reasonable to assume the preceding applied to the Fiction category, it is not so clear cut; as the Fiction application notes delineate:
"FICTION / Own Voices" is intended for works where the main characters(s) are from a marginalized, minority, or under-represented group and where the author is a member of the group being written about.
"FICTION / Women" is intended for fictional narratives centered on women and their struggles, which eventually lead to their personal growth. The heading is not intended to be used to describe the author of the work or the targeted audience of the work.
Subjects beginning with "FICTION / World Literature" are intended for works written by authors commonly identified as being from the country or region specified. They are not meant to indicate the setting or language (original or translated) of a book. For example, "FICTION / World Literature / Portugal" would be used for works by authors from Portugal (and not for authors from other Portuguese-speaking countries) regardless of the language or setting of the book. For multinational authors, or authors not associated with the country in which they were born, use your discretion in deciding which location the author is most commonly identified with.
Therefore, someone reviewing books categorized with Fiction subjects with a place or group of people (such as FICTION / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island) should not assume that the author is commonly identified as being from the country or region specified, nor a member of the group being written about.
| Note: Many publishers have stopped using the FICTION / Own Voices code due to concerns about increased author harassment, a demonstration of the difficulty in supporting identity values in the context of published metadata |
Due to the disparities between the different categories and the lack of an overarching approach, data providers and recipients should be hesitant to assume a connection between contributor identity and BISAC subject coding.
Also updated: BISAC Merchandising Themes
The most well-known “flavour” of BISAC are the BISAC Subject Headings. These describe the content of a book and were developed for publishers to communicate with retailers, and the general book trade, the store section in which a title best fits, and will sell best.
There are also BISAC Merchandising Themes and BISAC Regional Themes. BISAC Merchandising Themes identify marketing opportunities for like-minded books insofar as content is concerned. And BISAC Regional Themes provide additional help in identifying books of specific geographical interest.
(Sometimes people compare the Merchandising Themes with Thema’s Qualifier 5 list for Interests, as they can be used to further describe fictional works that have been subject-coded by genre. In addition, they are super helpful for planning sales and marketing plans for both publishers and retailers.)
Merchandising themes can be used in addition to subject codes (and are optional) 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
Can help further describe fictional works
The Merchandising Themes was also updated with the 2023 release. The following were all added in the 2023 list:
ET046 CULTURAL HERITAGE / First Nations
ET132 CULTURAL HERITAGE / Métis
ET087 CULTURAL HERITAGE / Inuit
ET083 CULTURAL HERITAGE / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island
EV140 EVENT / Powwow
EV120 EVENT / National Indigenous History Month
HL133 HOLIDAY / National Indigenous Peoples' Day
HL132 HOLIDAY / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
The complete Merchandising Themes list is included when users purchase and download from the BISG (again, it’s free for their members), but can also be accessed online by anyone for free at https://www.bisg.org/bisac-merchandising-themes-version-27.
2023 Codes: Additional changes
Please refer to the list of Differences Between the 2022 and 2023 Editions for a complete list of new codes, changes, and deletions. You will find major changes in the COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS category, Hispanic & Latino codes, Hi-Lo codes for Juvenile Fiction and Nonfiction, and many more. Don’t delay, review and update today!
In this podcast episode, we talk to Simon Crump to discuss the EUDR and its impact on the book industry.