The Random House Publishing Group is bringing back its once-popular romance imprint Loveswept (originated by Bantam Books and closed down a few years ago) as a digital-only imprint this August with eight titles, including Iris Johansen’s new novel THIS FIERCE SPLENDOR and others by Sharon & Tom Curtis, Deborah Smith, Juliana Garnett and Sally Goldenbaum. From then on the imprint, which will publish ebooks simultaneously in North America and the UK through Transworld, will bring out one new e-release every month and reissue select backlist titles.
In the US each title will include bonus content, and the classic titles will be reintroduced with new packaging and an extensive marketing campaign, which includes the Romance At Random website, which launches on June 23. VP and associate publisher Gina Wachtel and editor-at-large Sue Grimshaw will oversee the project, with additional help from Ballantine Bantam Dell’s editorial team.
“Our Loveswept e-only imprint will be an ideal vehicle for us to continue to connect with some of our most loyal and dedicated readers with an international editorial perspective, and to explore a wealth of new digital opportunities,” RHPG president and publisher Gina Centrello said in the release.
Romance At Random
In other RHPG news, onetime Loveswept author Janet Evanovich‘s first Stephanie Plum book with the division, SMOKIN’ SIXTEEN, sold 218,000 copies Tuesday, its first day on sale, with 100,000 copies each in hardcover and digital formats (audiobooks made up the rest.)