Backlist titles now claim two-thirds of adaptation inquiries
Rightscenter's data, drawn from 41,771 rights checks since 2019, shows pre-publication interest sank from 18.3% in 2021 to just 5.5% in 2026
Coral’s read
Here's the quiet reversal: Hollywood used to chase the next big thing before it was even printed. Now it wants the book that already found its readers. If you're sitting on a backlist title with a loyal following, that's not a dusty asset anymore — it's exactly what buyers are circling. But don't get too comfortable: 75% of titles only ever get a single inquiry, so standing out still takes work.
From the Coral Wire edition of Wed, Oct 21 2026 · Coral Index 79/100 (Green light)