33 replies to this topic

[Bond111]

Does anyone know why Benson is not releasing a new book this year? Is it because he just wants time off? I have not heard any news about it so I was just curious.

[zencat]

From the Ian Fleming Publications website:

[quote]18/02/03 - Raymond Benson
After eight years of chronicling the adventures of 007, Raymond Benson is now working on other projects. Miss Moneypenny would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr Benson the very best for these new projects. Intelligence about Ian Fleming Publications Ltd

[Bond111]

:mad: I heard somewhere that TMWTRT was Benson's last Bond novel, but I refused to believe it. Well do you think he will return someday, and/or who else do you think is fit to continue the Bond series?

[Tanger]

IMO, I think they should continue the Bond series with new writers every so often, as they planned to do when Kingsley Amis wrote Colonel Sun. They also planned to use Robert Markham as the pseudonym for each writer so that way you'd never know who wrote the books at any given time. I'd like it if they did this.

Speaking of which, I think Steve Perry could write a good Bond book. I'm currently reading 'Tom Clancy's Net Force: State Of War' by Steve Perry and it is superbly written. Has anybody else read any of his work? I know that he's done more than a few Star Wars Novels.

[Righty007]

Originally posted by Tanger
Speaking of which, I think Steve Perry could write a good Bond book. I'm currently reading 'Tom Clancy's Net Force: State Of War' by Steve Perry and it is superbly written. Has anybody else read any of his work? I know that he's done more than a few Star Wars Novels.

I don't want anyone associated with Star Wars writing a Bond novel.

[Righty007]

[quote]From the Ian Fleming Publications website
18/02/03 - Raymond Benson
After eight years of chronicling the adventures of 007, Raymond Benson is now working on other projects. Miss Moneypenny would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr Benson the very best for these new projects. Intelligence about Ian Fleming Publications Ltd

[DanMan]

I can imagine it now...

Bond: Is that all, M?

M: Many bothans died to bring us this information, 007.

Bond: I'd better be going. May the force be with you.

M: May the force be with you too, 007.

[Bond111]

Originally posted by DanMan
I can imagine it now...

Bond: Is that all, M?

M: Many bothans died to bring us this information, 007.

Bond: I'd better be going. May the force be with you.

M: May the force be with you too, 007.

LOL!

I hope there isn't a long gap between authors. That would be terrible.

[Tanger]

Get serious guys. Do you have to rip into every suggestion that somebody makes. Just because somebody has written a Star Wars book, it doesn't mean that they can't write a decent Bond book.

[White Tuxedo]

I say if they do get a new writer, that they should stay on for as long as they can come up with good ideas. I don't want a new writer every other book, it'll lead to even more differing in the characterization of Bond.

But I dunno, I'm starting my first Benson book Zero Minus Ten.

[Bond111]

There was a thead at the link below about a Raymond Benson short stories collection. Does this mean that this will not be published? I'd love to have a book with all of his short stories in it and maybe even some new stories, although I doubt it will happen.

And also, does anybody know if Gildrose is looking for a successor to RB? Have they made any plans for Bond books in the future?

Here's the link:
http://forums.comman...s=&threadid=397

[BONDFINESSE 007]

Originally posted by Mansfield 005
I say if they do get a new writer, that they should stay on for as long as they can come up with good ideas.  I don't want a new writer every other book, it'll lead to even more differing in the characterization of Bond.

But I dunno, I'm starting my first Benson book Zero Minus Ten.

thats a great book mansfield, you will enjoy it, its my fav. let me know what you think of it:)

[Righty007]

Originally posted by bond111
And also, does anybody know if Gildrose is looking for a successor to RB? Have they made any plans for Bond books in the future?

They have told us fans nothing about the future of the James Bond literary series.

[BONDFINESSE 007]

as one who likes benson, i hope it wont be to long in the future before they pick someone to start writing another bond book. you can only go so long without a bond novel

[Righty007]

The good thing is that I haven't read all of the old books yet, so I don't mind if they don't continue the series for a couple years.

[Tanger]

If you're not even reading the books, why are you spamming up this thread?

And why do you say "They have told us fans nothing about the future of the James Bond literary series" and then go and add the comment "The good thing is that I haven't read all of the old books yet, so I don't mind if they don't continue the series for a couple years."

What exactly is your view?

[Simon]

It must be in development.

[DanMan]

Originally posted by Righty007
The good thing is that I haven't read all of the old books yet, so I don't mind if they don't continue the series for a couple years.

Yea, me too. I'm still working my way through the Fleming and Gardner books, so I'll be occupied for a couple of months.

[Cesari]

And whay about those who have read all the james bond books, novelizations and short stories from Casino Royale to Die another day?
R e-read them again?
Yes, but it is done yet

[Righty007]

Originally posted by Cesari
And whay about those who have read all the james bond books, novelizations  and short stories from Casino Royale to Die another day?
R e-read them again?  
Yes, but it is done yet

Either read or write a 007 Fan Fiction while your waiting.

[dennisbolt]

Tanger: I think Righty is reading them, but not done yet-you don't have to slam him for it. Eventhough i have read them all, I know that not all Bond fans have had the time to read them all, escpecially if theya re new to it. Some I haven't read for 15 years now, so they will be fresher than me.

[Grubozaboyschikov]

I would like to ask you guys if anyone has read a fresh Sherlock Holmes story recently, or a Tarzan novel? If not, then ask yourself why?... God knows, I don't want to sound pessimistic about Bond's future, but my opinion is, this time Glidrose has decided on NO DEALS for MR. BOND...

[zencat]

Originally posted by Grubozaboyschikov
I would like to ask you guys if anyone has read a fresh Sherlock Holmes story recently...

I haven't read one, but there are no shortage of brand new Sherlock Holmes novels every year.

[iain]

Before knocking somebody as a potential 007 writer based on previous material, remember that Fleming wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

[Roebuck]

Originally posted by Tanger
I think Steve Perry could write a good Bond book. I'm currently reading 'Tom Clancy's Net Force: State Of War' by Steve Perry and it is superbly written. Has anybody else read any of his work? I know that he's done more than a few Star Wars Novels.

I don't know if they're still in print, but Perry's 'Matador' books are entertaining light reading if you're into pulp sci-fi. They're about these futuristic bodyguard types who protect the galaxy's most important people.

Perry could probably deliver a decent Bond novel. Not a classic, but good enough to tide the fans over between movies.

[Alpha Dog]

Fleming has been a tough act to follow, but Benson did a fine job. He should not be replaced.

[Righty007]

Welcome to CBn, Alpha Dog. I agree with you, he should not be replaced yet. BTW, I see that you live in Chicago. Have you ever met/seen Raymond Benson there?

[Triton]

Well we don't know the precise details of the Raymond Benson announcement from Ian Fleming Publications. Usually press releases of this nature are very politely written and say that the author is pursuing other projects or interests. It reminds me of the times I was informed by an employer that an employee I was working with was fired: "He is currently pursuing other opportunities."

Ian Fleming Publications would not write:

"Because we are disappointed with the sales of the James Bond novels penned by author Raymond Benson, Ian Fleming Publications would like to announce that we have terminated his contract. Ian Fleming Publications is currently seeking a replacement author who we feel would have greater success in producing better selling novels."

OR

"Raymond Benson has gotten bored with writing James Bond novels and is now more interested in writing non-fiction books about his favorite rock bands. The first of these books will be about the band Jethro Tull."

The fact is we won't know what the real story is unless we get a candide explanation from Raymond Benson or Ian Fleming Publications. For all we know, Ian Fleming Publications may not be interested in having a new writer pen new James Bond adventures and it may be content to just continue to collect royalties on the reprints of the existing novels.

[DLibrasnow]

I'm not too worried about it....Bond survived for 14 years (1967 to 1981 or thereabouts) without any new Bond novels on the shelves.

[Glor (009)]

I am certain there will always be the movie novelizations although in most cases if you saw the movie the book doesn't add very much to the experience. I do own and have read every book from Casino Royale to Die Another Day. Fleming is by far the best. Gardner was entertaining but not nearly as good. Benson has pretty good stories but I think he tries a bit too hard to be like Ian sometimes. After 20 years of picking up every 007 novel I can find, I would by it no matter who wrote it. I just might read it once and put it on the shelf with the rest, never to pick it up again. I hope someone picks up the mantle.