Why Your Book Backlist Matters

I recently received a call from Paul, an author I worked with many years ago. He shared some unexpected news: Lightning Source (LS) had discontinued his books—an unhappy backlist surprise. He wasn’t sure why. To complicate matters, the email address he originally used with LS no longer exists, which meant he couldn’t access his account or investigate further.

Fortunately, Paul does have an active IngramSpark (IS) account tied to his current email. He has written and published six books, but only one of them is currently available on the IngramSpark platform.

What Next?

My recommendation was straightforward: publish the remaining backlist titles on IngramSpark. That, of course, means locating all the original production files—both covers and interiors—which can be a challenge with older titles.

Get Organized

The first step is organization. I suggested creating a document for each backlist book—both paperback and ebook—that includes all essential metadata:

• Title and subtitle
• Page count
• ISBN
• Trim size
• Pricing
• Book description
• Categories (print and ebook)
• Keywords

Having this information in one place saves time and reduces errors, especially when uploading or revising multiple titles.

Things Change

Publishing platforms evolve. IngramSpark now requires specific cover templates, which must be generated based on trim size, interior paper stock, and page count. Since it has been many years, it’s unlikely Paul’s original covers were built using the current IS templates.

IngramSpark also offers four paper stock options for black-and-white interiors: White 50 lb., White 70 lb., Cream 50 lb., and Groundwood 38 lb. eggshell. Printing costs, as expected, have increased, making these choices even more important for pricing and profitability.

Fonts and Files

Software and fonts change, too. If either the cover or interior files need to be revised, older fonts may require conversion to OpenType to work properly in Adobe InDesign. This is a common issue with legacy files and something authors should plan for when updating backlist titles.

Book Descriptions

Book descriptions are another area that often gets overlooked. A description written years ago may no longer align with current reader expectations, market trends, or even the way the book is categorized. Updating the book description gives authors an opportunity to improve clarity, strengthen the hook, and incorporate relevant keywords—ultimately helping the book perform better on retail platforms.

Categories: Print vs. Ebook

Categories for both KDP and IngramSpark have changed over time and should be revisited for each book. It’s also important to remember that ebook categories are different from print book categories. Each format requires its own category selection, and using the same categories for both may limit discoverability.

Book marketing experts often recommend adjusting categories to improve visibility. KDP, in particular, offers many niche ebook subcategories that can help a title reach a more targeted audience. IngramSpark and KDP use separate category systems, so selections should be reviewed independently.

Keywords

Keywords shouldn’t be “set and forget.” Search behavior changes, new competitors enter the market, and discoverability depends on staying current. Google sums it up well: book marketing experts strongly recommend monitoring and updating keywords regularly—often quarterly or seasonally—to align with evolving reader search trends and improve visibility on platforms like Amazon.

Closing Thoughts

Paul’s situation isn’t unusual. Backlist titles are often overlooked until something breaks—an account disappears, a platform changes, or books quietly go out of print. The good news is that a backlist can be revived, refreshed, and even re-energized with thoughtful updates to files, metadata, descriptions, categories, and keywords.

If you haven’t reviewed your backlist in a while, consider this your nudge. Publishing platforms change, reader behavior shifts, and your books deserve to keep working for you—not get lost due to outdated systems or forgotten logins.

Need Help Updating Your Backlist?

Managing older book files and navigating today’s publishing platforms can be confusing—especially when requirements, templates, and software have changed. I offer book design consulting to help authors understand what needs updating, review cover and interior files, and make informed decisions about next steps for print and ebook editions. I can also provide guidance on metadata, categories, and keywords so your books are positioned as effectively as possible on platforms like IngramSpark and KDP.

If you’d like to discuss your project or have questions about your backlist titles, please contact me to schedule a consultation.