HarperCollins Mock Interview
Practice 30 HarperCollins interview questions covering editorial judgment, literary insight, and publishing expertise.
Question 20 of 30
What is the difference between a publisher's frontlist and backlist?
How to Answer
Example Answer
Community Answers
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
In publishing, a frontlist is a list of a publisher's newly published book titles. A backlist is a list of a publisher's older books. The backlist is usually a book that is off the bestseller list and has been in print for more than a year. The interviewer wants to see that you understand these terms, which are pretty basic in the publishing industry. Keep your answer simple and, if possible, give specific examples from books that are currently on the HarperCollins frontlist and backlist.
Rachelle Enns is an interview coach and job search expert. She works with candidates to perform their best in employment, medical, and post-secondary admission interviews.
"I understand the frontlist to be newly published book titles where a backlist would be books that have been in print for about a year or more. For instance, HarperCollins has A Woman is No Man, by Etaf Rum on the frontlist at the moment, and titles such as Shaken, are likely on your backlist."
Interview Coach
Jaymie
A real coach, not AI. I read every answer myself and write back with personalized feedback.
Typically responds within 24 hours.
0 - Character Count
Unlock All 30 HarperCollins Questions
Prepare for questions that reveal your passion for books and publishing acumen.
Get StartedJump to Question