Book Status Lifecycle (Draft → Published → Archived)
Understand the book status lifecycle on BookAuth — what each status means, how transitions work, and the impact on visibility and sales.
Every book on BookAuth has a status that controls its visibility and availability. Understanding the status lifecycle helps you manage your catalog strategically — from drafting to publishing to archiving older titles.
What You'll Learn
- The available book statuses and what each one means
- How to transition between statuses
- What happens to existing purchases and reviews when you change status
- Best practices for managing your catalog lifecycle
Book Status Overview
| Status | Visible to Readers? | Searchable? | Purchasable? | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draft | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | Work in progress, pre-launch preparation |
| Published | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (if priced) | Live and available to readers |
Status Details
Draft
A book in Draft status is completely private:
- Only visible to you in your "My Books" dashboard
- Does not appear in the book catalog, search results, or browse pages
- Does not appear on your author website
- Cannot be purchased by readers
- Cannot be added to ARC campaigns
When to use Draft:
- You're still completing the book listing (writing synopsis, uploading cover/manuscript)
- You want to prepare everything before a coordinated launch date
- You've removed a book from sale temporarily
Published
A Published book is fully live:
- Appears in the global book catalog and browse directories
- Is discoverable through search (by title, genre, tags)
- Displayed on your author website's book listing
- Can be purchased (if priced) or downloaded (if free)
- Can have ARC campaigns attached
- Can receive reviews and ratings from readers
When to use Published:
- Your book listing is complete and you're ready for readers to discover it
- You want to start receiving reviews and building momentum
Transitioning Between Statuses
Draft → Published
- Open the book editor (Content > My Books > [Book Title])
- Ensure all required fields are filled (title, synopsis, cover)
- Change the Status dropdown to "Published"
- Click "Save"
Your book goes live instantly — no approval process, no review queue.
Published → Draft (Unpublishing)
- Open the book editor
- Change the Status dropdown to "Draft"
- Click "Save"
What happens when you unpublish:
- The book is immediately hidden from all public views
- Existing purchases remain valid — readers who already bought the book can still access their download
- Existing reviews are preserved but won't appear on public pages
- ARC campaigns attached to the book become inactive
- Your author website stops displaying the book
Pro Tip: Unpublishing is reversible. If you change your mind, simply set the status back to Published and the book goes live again with all its reviews and metadata intact.
Impact on Related Systems
| System | What Happens When Status Changes |
|---|---|
| Author Website | Book listing appears/disappears based on Published status |
| Search Index | Book is indexed/de-indexed from search within minutes |
| ARC Campaigns | Campaigns require Published books; unpublishing deactivates campaigns |
| Reading Lists | Readers who added the book to their list keep it; book shows as "Currently Unavailable" |
| Reviews | Preserved regardless of status; visible only when Published |
| Analytics | Historical analytics data is preserved regardless of status |
| Discount Codes | Codes remain saved but become unusable; reactivated when Published again |
Catalog Management Strategies
Pre-Launch Strategy
- Create the book as Draft
- Complete all metadata, upload cover and manuscript
- Set up your ARC campaign while still in Draft
- On launch day: set status to Published and launch the ARC campaign simultaneously
Series Management
- Keep unreleased series entries in Draft until they're ready
- Readers can see the series listing with published entries and anticipate upcoming books
- Publish sequels with a coordinated newsletter announcement
Backlist Rotation
- Consider temporarily unpublishing books that are not performing to streamline your catalog
- Build reading momentum with a "vault" strategy: unpublish select titles, re-release them later with a new cover or pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does unpublishing a book trigger refunds?
A: No. Unpublishing only hides the book from discovery. Existing purchases are unaffected and readers retain access.
Q: Can I schedule a book to publish at a future date?
A: Scheduled publishing is not currently available. Set the book to Published status manually when you're ready to launch. Consider using your newsletter calendar to coordinate launch timing.
Q: If I unpublish and republish, do I lose my reviews?
A: No. All reviews and ratings are permanently preserved. They become visible again when the book is republished.
Q: Is there a limit to how many draft books I can have?
A: No. You can have unlimited draft books — there's no limit on draft vs. published counts.
Related Articles
- Uploading Your First Book
- Managing Book Metadata & Details
- Searching & Filtering Your Book Catalog
- Creating & Managing Book Series