Check Publication Status
First, verify your book's status in My Shelf:
- Go to My Shelf
- Click on your book
- Check status indicator
Status Meanings
- Processing: Book being prepared for distribution (24-72 hours)
- In Review: Retailers reviewing your submission (2-14 days)
- Live: Available in stores
- Rejected: Needs corrections (check email for details)
Timeline by Retailer
Different stores have different review times:
| Store | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Google Play | 2-4 days |
| Apple Books | 3-5 days |
| Kobo | 3-6 days |
| Barnes & Noble | 5-10 days |
| OverDrive | 10-21 days |
Common Reasons for Delays
1. Still in Review Period
Most common reason. Wait the full review time before worrying.
2. Metadata Issues
- Title doesn't match cover
- Description has formatting errors
- ISBN conflicts with existing book
- Missing required fields
3. Content Violations
- Adult content not properly categorized
- Prohibited content (each retailer has policies)
- Copyright concerns
4. Technical Problems
- EPUB validation errors
- Cover doesn't meet specifications
- File size too large
Searching for Your Book
Once live, search by:
- Exact title: Use quotes in search
- Author name: Search author, not title
- ISBN: If you provided one
- Wait 24 hours after "Live" status for search indexing
What to Do
If Under 7 Days
Be patient. Most books appear within a week.
If 7-14 Days
- Check status in My Shelf
- Look for rejection notifications
- Search specific stores directly
If Over 14 Days
Contact support with:
- Your book title
- Which stores are affected
- When you published
- Current status in My Shelf