backlist

American  

[bak-list] / ˈbækˌlɪst /

noun

1. the books that a publisher has kept in print over several years, as distinguished from newly issued titles.

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adjective

1. Also backlisted. placed or maintained on a backlist.

verb (used with object)

1. to place on a backlist.

backlist British  

/ ˈbækˌlɪst /

noun

1. a publisher's previously published books that are still available See also front list mid-list

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Etymology

Origin of backlist

First recorded in 1945–50; back ² + list ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

backlist

That’s how she wound up pitching a “Taylor’s Version”-style rerelease of her backlist to a handful of desired publishers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

The revised name reflected their mission to publish new titles “at random” to complement the backlist.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 30, 2026

Grove Atlantic, an independent publisher, is working with Open Road to promote about 1,500 of its backlist titles, including “1942: The Year That Tried Men’s Souls” and “Black Hawk Down.”

From New York Times ● May 24, 2023

After a number of years, many backlist books will languish, go out of print and slip between the cracks of history, or the cracks between the dusty shelves at your local used-book shop.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 27, 2023

What was supposed to be a one-off new novel to revive sales of the backlist was such a hit that the publishers ordered up more – but the lawyers were worried.

From Salon ● Nov. 19, 2022