The approach

We worked with editorial, sales, and distribution leadership to redesign how reissued titles were positioned, released, and monetized over time.

Key initiatives included:

• Reframing select backlist titles as evergreen properties rather than seasonal releases

• Expanding format coverage across digital, audio, and international editions

• Introducing staggered reissue windows tied to curriculum cycles, events, and audience cohorts

• Aligning metadata, pricing, and distribution strategy across channels to support sustained discovery

• Establishing title-level performance tracking to guide reinvestment decisions

The focus was not on “selling more books,” but on extending the economic life of each title.

The outcome

Within twelve months, reissued titles saw a 3.1× increase in lifetime value, driven by longer sales tails, higher cross-format adoption, and improved repeat purchasing.

Additional results included:

• Meaningful revenue contribution from digital and audio formats previously underutilized

• Reduced reliance on launch-driven sales spikes

• Clear internal benchmarks for when and how to reinvest in backlist properties

Candlewick transformed reissues from short-term events into long-term revenue engines.