backlist
noun
back·list
ˈbak-ˌlist 
: a list of books kept in print as distinguished from books newly published
Examples of backlist in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her publisher, Knopf, is also rereleasing her backlist with brand new covers.
—
Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
My publisher for non-Dilbert books has canceled my upcoming book and the entire backlist.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2023
Today its imprints include commercial lines such as Atria (Vince Flynn, Colleen Hoover, Jodi Picoult, Brad Thor) and the venerable Scribner (Stephen King, Kiese Laymon, Jesmyn Ward) whose backlist features F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.
—Dan Sinykin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023
This impressive backlist reminds us, yet again, how often great books emerge from small presses.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Some industry analysts say the sale will accelerate a long-running trend that has taken hold over the last decade, as publishers have grown more dependent on blockbuster titles and backlist sales, resulting in fewer opportunities for new writers and midlist authors.
—New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020
Since then, Shepherd’s memoir, The Living Mountain, has become one of Canongate’s bestselling backlist books.
—Ailsa Ross, Longreads, 4 Apr. 2023
And avant-garde publishing, the best like the worst, is almost wholly an affair of backlists.
—Anne Fadiman, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023
Many backlist and frontlist titles were rendered unsalvageable due to the water.
—Adrienne Gibbs, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023
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Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
My publisher for non-Dilbert books has canceled my upcoming book and the entire backlist.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2023
Today its imprints include commercial lines such as Atria (Vince Flynn, Colleen Hoover, Jodi Picoult, Brad Thor) and the venerable Scribner (Stephen King, Kiese Laymon, Jesmyn Ward) whose backlist features F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway.
—Dan Sinykin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023
This impressive backlist reminds us, yet again, how often great books emerge from small presses.
—Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 12 May 2023
Some industry analysts say the sale will accelerate a long-running trend that has taken hold over the last decade, as publishers have grown more dependent on blockbuster titles and backlist sales, resulting in fewer opportunities for new writers and midlist authors.
—New York Times, 25 Nov. 2020
Since then, Shepherd’s memoir, The Living Mountain, has become one of Canongate’s bestselling backlist books.
—Ailsa Ross, Longreads, 4 Apr. 2023
And avant-garde publishing, the best like the worst, is almost wholly an affair of backlists.
—Anne Fadiman, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023
Many backlist and frontlist titles were rendered unsalvageable due to the water.
—Adrienne Gibbs, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'backlist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near backlist
Cite this Entry
“Backlist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backlist. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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