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Artwork for Backlisted

Backlisted

Backlisted
Literature
Feminism
Agatha Christie
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Poetry
Asterix and the Roman Agent
Christmas
Angel
Louis Macneice
All My Pretty Ones
The Unconsoled
Doctor Who
Elizabeth Taylor
Goscinny and Uderzo
Jake Thackray
Aging
Moby-Dick
Autumn Journal
Anne Sexton
Cultural Identity

The literary podcast that has been giving new life to old books since 2015. For show notes visit backlisted.fm and get an extra two shows a month by supporting the pod at patreon.com/backlisted

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes274Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsHobbiesLeisure

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Artwork for Backlisted

Latest Episodes

Recorded live in Galway in 2021, we were joined by novelist Mary Costello for a special episode recorded live at Galway International Arts Festival in Ireland. The book we're debating is Elizabeth Costello (2003) by South-African born Nobel Laureate ... more

YouTube

Returning to a show we made in 2022. The Ice Palace or Is-slottet by Tarjei Vesaas is a 20th century classic by one of Norway’s greatest modern writers. First published by Gyldendal in 1963, it went on to win the Nordic Council Literary Prize in 1964... more

YouTube

In light of it's republication by Faber this month, we are replaying this wonderful episode where author Rose Ruane first brought Gaining Ground A.K.A. Abra (1978) by Canadian feminist writer Joan Barfoot to our attention back in 2024.

One day, seemi... more

YouTube

Just in time for the summer holidays, the Backlisted team recommend six books we have enjoyed recently: As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning by Laurie Lee; Boulder by Eva Baltasar; Flashlight by Susan Choi; The Palm House by Gwendoline Riley; The Ma... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Mary Costello
Irish novelist, author of Academy Street and The River Capture
Irish literary scene
Episode: Rerun - Elizabeth Costello by J.M. Coetzee
Karl Ove Knaussgård
Norwegian writer and memoirist, author of The Ice Palace and The Birds
Self (Author)
Episode: Rerun - The Ice Palace by Tarjei Vesaas
Conor McCarthy
Patron guest who brought the book At Swim Two Birds by Flann O'Brien
Patreon backer
Episode: Summer Reading 2023 - Rerun
Ben Moor
Writer, performer; joined the Port Elliot festival discussion
Ben Moor (self-described)
Episode: How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read by Pierre Bayard - Rerun
Cathy Rentzenbrink
Former bookseller, author
Self / Port Elliot festival appearance
Episode: How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read by Pierre Bayard - Rerun
Una McCormack
Former guest on Backlisted, co-director of the Angela Ruskin Center for Science, Fiction and Fantasy
Anglia Ruskin University (as described)
Episode: Look At Me by Anita Brookner - rerun
Preti Taneja
Novelist and prison/university teacher
Author of We That Are Young (Gall ibeg a Press)
Episode: Beloved by Toni Morrison - rerun
Sinéad Gleason
Novelist and editor, Constellations and Hagstone
University? (as discussed) / The Long Gaze Back editor
Episode: Springs of Affection by Maeve Brennan - rerun
David Hayden
Contemporary short story writer, author of Darker with the Lights On
Writer
Episode: Springs of Affection by Maeve Brennan - rerun

Hosts

John Mitchinson
Co-host/Host of Backlisted; long-standing contributor with editorial and publishing context
Andy Miller
Host/Co-host; known for energetic discussions and literary enthusiasm
Nicky Birch
Producer; often facilitates discussion and coordinates show production

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Absolutely not.

    Very disappointed to see that the scammers behind the Unbound scandal are just sliding back into literary circles like they don’t owe a bunch of authors a lot of money.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    C_s_t_k
    United Statesa month ago
  • My favourite literary podcast!

    So glad to have John back 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aunty RoRo
    Australia2 months ago
  • BRILLIANT!!!

    Welcome back——how your podcast has been missed. The world has been less literary, less witty and less interesting while you were on hiatus. Never was there a time when we need the perfect distraction from world events——your excellent podcast . Thank you .

    (Sorry for exclamation points …but wanted to make a point.)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LIT LOVER USA
    United States2 months ago
  • John Mitchenson is a Thief

    Who was it who came up with the idea of stealing all the authors’ money?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ilyasaurus
    United States2 months ago
  • I don’t like thieves

    Thieves shouldn’t have podcasts

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Andthatisthat
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show's thoughtful, literate conversations and strong host dynamics.
Critiques often focus on sound quality and perceived gaps when guest selection leans too heavily on a single publishing angle.
Some listeners feel shifts in the dynamic due to changes in co-hosts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#100
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#247
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#30
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#76
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#105
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#165
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gaining Ground by Joan Barfoot - Rerun
Q: What did you find most striking about the book's portrayal of self-determination and its costs?
The guests discuss how Abra's pursuit of autonomy comes with emotional and relational burdens, including the ethical tension of leaving family behind and the radical-acts-of-ingratitude embedded in choosing personal freedom.
Gaining Ground by Joan Barfoot - Rerun
Q: Where were you when you first became aware either of Joan Barfoot's work or of this novel Gaining Ground?
Rose Ruane recalls discovering books in a family environment and identifies Gaining Ground as a formative, seismic read that influenced her sense of self and authorial direction, noting its portrayal of a female protagonist who asserts independence despite social expectations.
Look At Me by Anita Brookner - rerun
Q: What makes Frances Hinton a reliable or unreliable narrator, and how does that affect the reader's experience?
Frances is not unreliable in the classic sense, but her perception is filtered through internal confusions and desires, which the discussion suggests enhances the novel's tension and authenticity rather than undermining it.
Look At Me by Anita Brookner - rerun
Q: Andy asks, where did you first encounter the work of Anita Brookner, and how did that influence your reading of Look At Me?
The hosts describe discovering Brookner in adolescence and revisiting Look At Me with a heightened sensitivity to its exploration of solitude, female desire, and artistic vocation, which deepens their appreciation for the novel's quiet power.
Beloved by Toni Morrison - rerun
Q: John, when did you first read this book?
I read Beloved about 20 years ago, exploring how Morrison's language reshapes modernist and slave narratives, and how it shaped my understanding of her as a towering American writer.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Backlisted

What is Backlisted about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Wi t h a strong emphasis on literary discussion and thoughtful analysis of classic and contemporary books, the show features in-depth conversations with authors, editors, critics, and scholars. Episodes frequently explore themes, publishing histories, and the cultural context of beloved titles, often pairing rigorous criticism with warm, bantering host dynamics. A standout aspect is the long-running format that blends archival clips, festival appearances, and personal anecdotes, making it feel like a lively book club with deep expertise. This combination likely attracts devoted readers who enjoy both scholarly context and accessible, characterful dialogue, as well as potential guests from publishing, academia, and literary criticism seeking... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Backlisted?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Backlisted:

1. London Review Bookshop Podcast
2. Close Readings
3. A Good Read
4. Take Four Books
5. The LRB Podcast

How many episodes of Backlisted are there?

Backlisted launched 11 years ago and published 274 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Backlisted?

Recent guests on Backlisted include:

1. Mary Costello
2. Karl Ove Knaussgård
3. Conor McCarthy
4. Ben Moor
5. Cathy Rentzenbrink
6. Una McCormack
7. Preti Taneja
8. Sinéad Gleason

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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