Choose Your Own Adventure Publisher Expands into Adult Fiction
Chooseco, the publisher behind the Choose Your Own Adventure series, has unveiled a new adult imprint called CYOA Unbound, set to debut in fall 2027. The imprint will release interactive fiction in genres such as horror, mystery, thriller, and romance, with a retelling of Pride and Prejudice among its first titles. CEO Shannon Gilligan said the move into adult publishing has been long anticipated and the inaugural list reflects the company's interests.
Chooseco's expansion marks a significant shift for a publisher long associated with children's interactive literature. The company has built its brand on the branching narrative format that defined the original Choose Your Own Adventure series, which sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide since the 1970s. The new imprint's debut list, featuring a Pride and Prejudice retelling, signals an effort to apply that interactive model to established literary works.
The fall 2027 launch window gives the publisher substantial time to develop its adult-oriented catalog. Gilligan's statement that the company has sought this move "since our inception" suggests the adult imprint represents a strategic culmination rather than a reactive pivot. The genre mix—horror, mystery, thriller, and romance—indicates an intention to target commercial fiction readers who may be seeking a more participatory reading experience.
This move could broaden interactive fiction's audience beyond nostalgic adults who grew up with the original series, potentially introducing the format to readers who never encountered it as children. The Pride and Prejudice retelling may attract literary fiction readers, while genre offerings could appeal to commercial markets. If successful, CYOA Unbound may encourage other publishers to experiment with interactive formats, though the niche appeal of multiple-ending narratives could limit mainstream adoption.