Backlist to the future: Updating Orca Book Publishers' hi-lo backlist during ultra-readable reprints to support a new generation of readers

In the last twenty years the world has seen great social, technological, and language changes that have left even best-selling backlist titles in need of updating. When Orca Book Publishers decided to print their hi-lo backlist in a new ultra-readable format, they seized the opportunity to update the content, design, and book information in order to better support their readers and serve their mandate. This report explores Orca's reprint process for the Orca Currents and Orca Soundings series. Chapter One provides information on Orca, the hi-lo genre, reprints, and Orca's decision to update their backlist. The next three chapters follow the editorial, design, marketing, and sales processes for these reprinted titles. The report concludes with project considerations, key benefits, and why other publishers should consider updating their backlist. Overall, this report argues that publishers must consider the context books are reprinted into if they want to continue reaching their audience.