Random House announced today that the “Loveswept” imprint is coming back this summer with a modern twist: the line will be digital-only.

The imprint, which was popular in the 1980s and 1990s, originated at Bantam Books and has been dormant for a dozen years. It relaunches in August with eight new works. According to Random House, one new ebook will be released each month in the fall.

Loveswept helped launch the careers of authors such as Janet Evanovich and Tami Hoag. Some popular past  titles will be revived, including This Fierce Splendor by best-selling author Iris Johansen – although I’m guessing it will get an updated cover.

The Loveswept tagline – Love stories you’ll never forget by authors you’ll always  remember – is also coming back. 

According to Publishers Weekly, Sue Grimshaw, category specialist and editor-at-large, will host a new website, RomanceAtRandom.com, to discuss all things romance while also promoting Loveswept and Ballantine Bantam Dell titles.

Random House is expanding its interest in the videogame business by partnering with game producer THQ.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the collaboration tests the idea of “transmedia” – original storytelling that spreads across a variety of formats.

The Wall Street Journal reports “The two companies said they intend to create a wide spectrum of original works that include novels, graphic novels and digital books, as wells as online, console and mobile-phone games. Hollywood may participate as well.”

The ideal scenario would have Random House publishing a blockbuster book which lends itself to a Hollywood movie, videogame and toys.

It would probably be 18 months before any joint Random House-THQ venture hits the market. 

Read the full article HERE.