Backlist book promotion might just be the secret weapon you’re overlooking.
So many authors focus exclusively on launching their newest release—but it’s your backlist that builds long-term royalties, email growth, and reader loyalty. A well-optimized backlist creates a “flywheel effect,” where older books quietly generate income and send new readers deeper into your catalog.
This post outlines practical, evergreen strategies to breathe new life into your older titles—and why your backlist might be more valuable than you think.
What Is a Backlist?
In publishing, a backlist includes any book that’s been published for a while—usually 6+ months after launch. These books aren’t front-and-center in your marketing anymore, but they still have enormous potential.
Backlist books are:
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Fully written, edited, and reviewed
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Likely to have more reader feedback
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Often cheaper to promote (no urgency, less competition)
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Valuable for box sets, bundles, and series starters
Why Backlist Book Promotion Matters
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Cost-effective: No production costs. Just marketing.
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Trust factor: Older books tend to have more reviews = higher conversion.
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Series leverage: Book 1 in a series can drive follow-through sales.
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New audience = new impact: Most readers didn’t see your first launch!
If you’re only promoting your frontlist, you’re leaving money—and readers—on the table.
7 Backlist Book Promotion Strategies That Work
1. Run a Price Drop Promo
Even dropping a $4.99 book to $0.99 for a few days can reinvigorate sales and spark a new wave of reviews.
Pro Tip: Pair your discount with a newsletter promotion site for best results (like a genre-specific platform that caters to mystery/thriller fans).
2. Create a Series Starter Funnel
If you have a series, offer Book 1 for free or on sale. Promote it heavily, and let read-through carry the sales for the rest of the series.
Bonus: Use email automation to pitch the next book in the sequence.
3. Refresh Your Book Covers
If your older titles look dated or off-brand, a new cover can radically improve click-through rates. Readers do judge books by their covers.
Even small updates (like typography or tone) can modernize your appeal without a full rebrand.
4. Run Thematic Campaigns Around a Season or Trend
Tie your backlist title into holidays, themes, or current events:
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“Spooky thrillers for Halloween”
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“Locked room mysteries to read during a snowstorm”
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“Twist-filled reads for domestic suspense fans”
Reframing older books in a timely way makes them feel fresh.
5. Use Your Author Newsletter
Don’t just promote new books—sprinkle your backlist into regular newsletters:
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“Forgotten Favorite Friday”
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“This Book Deserves a Second Look”
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“Reader Favorite Throwback”
Include reviews, quotes, or “why I loved writing this” insights.
6. Update Back Matter with Direct Links
Use the end of every book to promote other books in your catalog. Include:
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A “read next” suggestion
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A free chapter sample
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A lead magnet opt-in
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Your full book list with series order
This works even better with digital box sets.
7. Leverage Reader Reviews as Content
Pull your best reviews and turn them into:
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Quote graphics for social media
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Carousel posts or “reader reaction” reels
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Testimonials in your newsletter
This reminds readers of the value of your older books—and encourages new ones to dive in.
Tools That Help
Some author tools make backlist promotion easier:
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Book tracking: Plottr, ReaderLinks, BookFunnel
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Discounts & promos: CraveBooks, eBook Island, Pillow Talk Books, etc.
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Automation: StoryOrigin, MailerLite, ConvertKit
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Link optimization: Booklinker, Geniuslink for geo-targeted links
Use these tools to systematize your backlist visibility and keep books selling year-round.
Final Thought: Evergreen Sales = Author Freedom
Backlist book promotion isn’t just about squeezing extra value from old titles—it’s about building an ecosystem that rewards you long after launch day.
Think of it like compound interest for authors.
The more effort you invest in your catalog now, the more reliable (and passive) your revenue becomes later.
Want help getting more eyes on your backlist?
Explore book promo options built for mystery, thriller, and crime authors: 👉 Explore Author Promotion Options »
