---
title: Secondhand copies and forthcoming books
description: "Show each copy's condition and a Sold out plate, and take pre-orders for forthcoming books."
url: "https://wpruby.com/knowledgebase/foliowick-secondhand-and-forthcoming/"
updated: "2026-11-04"
category: WPRuby Themes / Foliowick
---

# Secondhand copies and forthcoming books

Table of Contents

 [Toggle](#)

- [Secondhand and rare copies](#Secondhand_and_rare_copies)
- [Forthcoming books and pre-orders](#Forthcoming_books_and_pre-orders)

## Secondhand and rare copies

1. Go to **Products → Attributes** and add an attribute named **Condition** with the slug **`condition`**.
2. Add terms such as *Fine*, *Very good* or *Good*, and give each copy its condition.

The condition shows under the title on book cards and book pages.

When a copy is out of stock, its cover gets a **Sold out** plate in book lists, so a sold single copy reads at a glance. For one-off copies, set **Inventory → Stock quantity** to 1, or set the stock status to **Out of stock** once it has sold.

The Rare & secondhand [demo store](https://wpruby.com/knowledgebase/foliowick-demo-stores/) shows this, with binding, edition and date attributes too.

## Forthcoming books and pre-orders

1. Tag the book **`forthcoming`**.
2. Under **Product data → Inventory**, set the stock status to **On backorder** (or allow backorders).
3. Optional: add a **Publication** attribute (slug `publication`) with the date as text, for example *March 2027*.

The book then gets:

- a **Forthcoming** plate on its cover in book lists, with the publication date
- a **Pre-order** button instead of **Add to cart**
- the note *Forthcoming: publishing March 2027. Pre-order now and we will send it on publication.*

[![Forthcoming books with their plates and publication dates](https://cdn.wpruby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/04085518/foliowick-docs-forthcoming-shelf.jpg)](https://cdn.wpruby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/04085518/foliowick-docs-forthcoming-shelf.jpg)

[![A forthcoming book's page with the publication note and the Pre-order button](https://cdn.wpruby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/04085519/foliowick-docs-forthcoming.jpg)](https://cdn.wpruby.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/04085519/foliowick-docs-forthcoming.jpg)

Pre-orders are ordinary WooCommerce backorders: payment is taken at checkout as usual, and you ship the book when it's published. Remove the tag once the book is out.