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Here are the main steps from purchasing a distribution process to being available online:

1. Purchase Published by Lulu or Published by You service and receive an ISBN.
   "Published by Lulu" ISBN's are assigned immediately.
   "Published by You" ISBN's take up to 3 business days to be assigned. This is because extra information needs to be processed with the ISBN Agency.
2. Revise the book to contain the ISBN number in the copyright page and add a bar code to the back cover (for one-piece covers). The book must also meet the Mandatory Distribution Requirements.
3. Purchase a proof copy of this newest version of the book.
4. After receiving and carefully reviewing the book, either:
   a. Approve the book on Lulu. Go to Step 6.
   b. Deny the book and make changes. Go to Step 5.
5. Make revisions and upload this new manuscript. Go back to Step 3.
   See, How do I make changes before approving my book? to learn how to make changes.
   
6. The book is uploaded to the distribution center within:
   3-5 business days for "Published by Lulu" distribution
   2 to 3 weeks for "Published by You" distribution.
7. Printer reviews the book to ensure it is up to standards. This can take up to 2 weeks.
   Once accepted for printing, it can take another 6 to 8 weeks before the book is available through online retailers.
   If rejected for not meeting requirements, you will be notified via e-mail that the book must be revised. Go back to Step 2.
8. The book becomes available for listing with online booksellers.
9. Online booksellers like Amazon decide whether or not they would like to list the book. (In our experience, they almost always list it.
   Once a month, online booksellers update their databases with new books. When they update (if the booksellers choose to list your book), you will see the book listed as "currently available." This can take 6-8 weeks.

If the book is revised at this point the process starts over at step 2 with all the work and time involved. See, "How do I make changes after approving my book?", for more information.