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# Why are my earnings locked before withdrawal?

# Why are my earnings locked before withdrawal?
After a book sale is made, your earnings may first appear as **locked** or **pending** before they become available for withdrawal. This is part of PubliWrite's payment process and helps account for refunds, returns, and payment processing time.

## How long are earnings locked?
Earnings are locked for **45 days** after each sale. During this period, the funds may appear in your dashboard, but they cannot be withdrawn yet. Once the 45-day period ends, eligible earnings become available for withdrawal, as long as the sale was not refunded, returned, or cancelled.

## Why does PubliWrite use a locked period?
The locked period gives enough time to handle cases such as:
* Reader refund requests
* Returned or cancelled orders
* Payment processing delays
* Order verification
* Other sale-related adjustments
This helps make sure that only eligible earnings are available for withdrawal.

## Where can I see locked earnings?
You can view locked or pending earnings in the **Earnings** hub. On the overview, you'll see:
* Your **available to withdraw** balance — earnings that can be withdrawn now
* A pending amount that is still clearing
Click **See all** for a detailed breakdown of your earnings.

## When can I withdraw my earnings?
You can request a withdrawal once your earnings become available after the 45-day locked period. To withdraw your funds, go to **Earnings** and click **Withdraw**.

## Important note
If a sale is refunded, returned, or cancelled during the locked period, the related earnings may not become available for withdrawal.

## Related articles
* [How do I withdraw money from my account?](https://helpdesk.publiwrite.com/en/article/how-do-i-withdraw-money-from-my-account-1qdmidy/)
* [How do I track my sales and earnings?](https://helpdesk.publiwrite.com/en/article/how-do-i-track-my-sales-and-earnings-7ve6u0/)
* [How do royalties work on PubliWrite?](https://helpdesk.publiwrite.com/en/article/how-do-royalties-work-on-publiwrite-ni1sws/)
* [How are digital book royalties calculated?](https://helpdesk.publiwrite.com/en/article/how-are-digital-book-royalties-calculated-l7h9l1/)
* [How are print book royalties calculated?](https://helpdesk.publiwrite.com/en/article/how-are-print-book-royalties-calculated-1uvdbs1/)