Definition of "backlist" in English

noun

1. (publishing) A list of older books available from a publisher, as opposed to the frontlist of more recent titles.

2. (publishing, attributively, of books being planned) Expected to achieve years of adequate sales while on a backlist, and to be profitable on that basis, even if predicted not to sell in huge numbers when new.

   • The celebrity tell-all has been proposed as a frontlist title, whereas the cookbook has been proposed as a backlist title and the food history book as a midlist title.

verb

1. (transitive) To hold back a student's application (to a college etc.) based on whether a preferred candidate declines their offer.

   • I have not heard back from the college yet: I must have been backlisted.

2. (transitive, publishing) To place (a book) on a backlist.