Rephonic
Artwork for Backlisted

Backlisted

Backlisted
All My Pretty Ones
Aging
The Stone Angel
Michael Powell
Anne Sexton
Death
Margaret Laurence
Emeric Pressburger
Confessional Poetry
Samuel Beckett
Charles Dickens
A Christmas Carol
Canadian Literature
Canada
Walter Greenwood
Love On the Dole
A Matter Of Life and Death
The Red Shoes
Krapp's Last Tape
Manawaka

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 monthlyEpisodes263Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsLeisureBooksHobbies

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Backlisted

Latest Episodes

In a special edition recorded earlier this year live at the Durham Book Festival, John and Andy are joined by writers Adele Stripe and Ben Myers to discuss Gordon Burn's debut novel Alma Cogan. The 'What Have We Been Reading?' slots are occupied by P... more

YouTube

Recorded back in 2017, John and Andy were joined by poet, radio presenter, playwright and genuine tyke Ian McMillan to discuss Malcolm Lowry's 1947 masterwork, Under The Volcano. Also, The Factory of Light by Michael Jacobs, and more Rosemary Tonks. more

YouTube

Joining John and Andy in this episode are multiple returnees and Official Friends of Backlisted: Dr Una McComack and Andrew Male. The book they are here to talk about is The Inheritors by William Golding, his second published novel (after Lord of th... more

YouTube

Dr Rowan Williams, theologian, poet and former Archbishop of Canterbury, joins Andy and John for a thoughtful and moving discussion of Till We Have Faces (1956), the last novel by C.S. Lewis. This episode was recorded in London in June 2025. Although... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

London Review Bookshop Podcast
London Review Bookshop PodcastLondon Review Bookshop
The LRB Podcast
The LRB PodcastThe London Review of Books
Close Readings
Close ReadingsLondon Review of Books
Bookclub
BookclubBBC Radio 4

Recent Guests

Ian McMillan
Poet, presenter, and host of The Verb; guest on the episode
Yorkshire's greatest living artist (as described in the episode)
Episode: Under The Volcano by Malcolm Lowry - Rerun
Dr. Rowan Williams
Former Archbishop of Canterbury, scholar, theologian, poet, and translator.
Independent scholar and writer
Episode: Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
Paul Thompson
Editor of 'Jake Thackray: The Unsung Writer' and a writer, songwriter, and musician.
Episode: Jake Thackray: The Unsung Writer by Paul Thompson
Louie Stowell
Children's author and illustrator, known for her Loki series.
Nosy Crow and Walker Books US
Episode: Asterix and the Roman Agent by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Robert Shearman
Award-winning playwright and author, known for his work on Doctor Who.
Episode: Asterix and the Roman Agent by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Tanya Kirk
Lead curator of Printed Heritage Collections 1601 to 1900 at the British Library
British Library
Episode: Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild - rerun
Una McCormack
Best-selling writer of nearly two dozen science fiction novels
Episode: Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild - rerun
Matthew De Abaitua
Writer and lecturer with a background in science fiction.
University of Essex
Episode: Last and First Men by Olaf Stapledon
Laura Varnam
Lecturer in Old and Middle English Literature at University College Oxford
University College Oxford
Episode: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Hosts

Andy Miller
Host and author, known for his engagement with books and literature.
Dr. Una McCormack
Co-host and author, engaged in literary discussions with a focus on cultural themes.
Nicky Burch
Producer and editor, contributing to the podcast's structure and discussions around literary topics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • Talk this program up!

    I just sent 5 friends a link and a heads up about these funny and insightful programs about reading, books and life. So glad to either hear about books previously unknown to me or thoughts that enlarge my understanding.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Non legal person
    United States2 months ago
  • Love !

    Engaging, insightful, and humorous. I love the guest speakers you bring on some of your episodes. My only complaint is that your episodes END! The discussions are so engaging that I always feel like you could do multi-episode discussions on a single novel!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kirscheneve
    United States2 months ago
  • I

    Really good interesting podcast but the sound quality is frequently so poor it ruins it

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    KMDB London
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fabulous

    So Fabulous… they make we want to be English !!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NJ Engineer
    United States4 months ago
  • Quality Stuff

    I am forever grateful for this crew! Gentle, intelligent and funny

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    obscurahead
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners find the eclectic selection of topics refreshing, often discovering new authors and genres they might not have considered otherwise.
Many appreciate the show's depth and the thoughtful exploration of various literary works, enhancing their reading lists.
There are mixed feelings regarding the changes in hosting dynamics, especially with the departure of a founding member, with some missing the original chemistry.
There is occasional criticism that some discussions can seem pretentious or overly academic, which may alienate casual listeners.
Listeners praise the podcast for its charming and engaging hosts, who create lively conversations that make literature enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#52
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#158
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#20
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#60
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#80
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#221
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Sacred and Profane Love Machine by Iris Murdoch
Q: When did you first read The Sacred and Profane Love Machine or become aware of the writing of Iris Murdoch?
Ian Patterson recalls being aware of Murdoch's name in the 1960s and only began to read her work seriously in his early thirties, starting with The Nice and The Good.
Transit and the Outline Trilogy by Rachel Cusk
Q: Did you find them inclusive or exclusive?
As a woman who is 49 years old and has children who are growing up, I found that it worked for me.
The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington
Q: Una, what is the symbolic purpose of The Hearing Trumpet?
The Hearing Trumpet serves as a plot device that allows Marion to overhear her family's machinations and also symbolizes her internal awakening and understanding of herself.
The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington
Q: Paul, where and when did you first encounter The Hearing Trumpet?
I first read Leonora Carrington in the early 1990s, and it came to me later, probably in the 2010s.
A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney
Q: Where and when did you first encounter Shelagh Delaney or A Taste of Honey?
Dave reflects on first encountering Shelagh Delaney through a teacher recommending looking at A Taste of Honey alongside Look Back in Anger.

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?

This literary podcast is dedicated to revitalizing interest in classic literature and often overlooked works. With a focus on in-depth discussions about different books and their authors, episodes feature a blend of humor and intellectual engagement that appeals to devoted bibliophiles and casual readers alike. The conversation revolves around themes such as narrative structure, character development, and societal implications within storytelling, often inviting experts, authors, and critics to enrich the dialogue. The inclusion of diverse literary voices and the nostalgic charm of revisiting old classics makes this show both entertaining and enlightening for anyone interested in literature's enduring power.

Particularly noteworthy is the ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Backlisted?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Backlisted. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Backlisted and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Backlisted get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Backlisted, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Backlisted?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Backlisted, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Backlisted have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Backlisted has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Backlisted?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Backlisted:

1. London Review Bookshop Podcast
2. The TLS Podcast
3. The LRB Podcast
4. Close Readings
5. Bookclub

How many episodes of Backlisted are there?

Backlisted launched 10 years ago and published 263 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Backlisted?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Backlisted?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Backlisted from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Backlisted?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Backlisted. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Backlisted?

Recent guests on Backlisted include:

1. Ian McMillan
2. Dr. Rowan Williams
3. Paul Thompson
4. Louie Stowell
5. Robert Shearman
6. Tanya Kirk
7. Una McCormack
8. Matthew De Abaitua

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days