Queries are officially open! If you’re an indie author looking to license audio or other subrights while staying independent, let’s talk. Query 🔗 in bio!
Mark Ryan | Backlist Literary
@backlistlit.bsky.social
Founder | Book Lover | Proud child of an immigrant 🇨🇺 Subsidiary rights for self-pubbed authors Opening to queries 8/5/2026 https://www.backlistliterary.com/
Tomorrow I’ll be open to queries! I hope you’re as excited as I am.
I’m building this agency around a belief I wish were more common: Independent authors deserve serious rights representation without being asked to stop being independent. They should be able to keep the publishing model they chose and still have someone in their corner.
A subrights offer can be exciting. Before you say yes, slow down and ask: What rights are included? Is the license exclusive? How are you paid? (Cover price? Net receipts?) When do the rights return to you? Know exactly what you’re giving up—and what you’re keeping.
What happens if the company never releases the audiobook, translation, or special edition? A contract should address when unused rights return to the author. An opportunity should not become a permanent holding place for rights no one is actively using.
Last day of the month check in! Self pubbed authors what did we accomplish this month? All wins get celebrated big and small. We’re raising each other up in here!
I’m opening to queries next week. I’ll be looking for self-published authors who are committed to staying independent and want help licensing the rights they already own.
You just got magically teleported into your current WIP, swapping places with the antagonist. How has your MC’s life just changed?
#MSWL: Commercial/genre fiction, especially Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Sci-fi (bonus points if dystopian elements), Paranormal, Speculative, Thriller/Suspense, Horror, LitRPG. If you have a backlist, I'd love to take a look! Opening to queries Wednesday, August 5th.
A bit of news: next week I’m opening a subsidiary rights agency for self-published authors who intend to stay self-published. You keep publishing your books. I represent selected rights you own but may not have the time, contacts, or resources to license yourself.