Publishing News reports that Virago Modern Classics is relaunching selected backlist titles this year, with one author per month being re-jacketed and given new introductions by modern writers including Sarah Waters and Hilary Mantel. “We wanted to give the chosen authors a more contemporary look because these books should be enjoyed by a modern audience,” said Donna Coonan, Commissioning Editor for Virago Modern Classics. “They are relevant, enjoyable and accessible. People do judge a book by its cover, so if a book looks outdated and neglected, as if the publisher hasn’t given it a thought for years, then why would anyone think it deserves their time and money?”
Well said, and sometimes you have to give backlist a new look to get more people to buy them…