2121 replies to this topic

[zencat]

I wouldn't read or expect too much from a potential Project Y. I'm not sure everything IFP considers makes it into production (I know of at least one thing that was in the works and never happened). Another way to read what Charlie said is it could have been X or Y. A choice. Or Project Y might be something like ebooks. Nice, but not a huge deal.

But then again, I really didn't expect Project X would be a new continuation novel. Thought that was too much to hope for. So...

[Righty007]

I wouldn't read or expect too much from a potential Project Y. I'm not sure everything IFP considers makes it into production (I know of at least one thing that was in the works and never happened). Another way to read what Charlie said is it could have been X or Y. A choice. Or Project Y might be something like ebooks. Nice, but not a huge deal.

Hopefully Project Y involves Gardner reprints with uniform cover art.

[Trident]

I wouldn't read or expect too much from a potential Project Y. I'm not sure everything IFP considers makes it into production (I know of at least one thing that was in the works and never happened). Another way to read what Charlie said is it could have been X or Y. A choice. Or Project Y might be something like ebooks. Nice, but not a huge deal.

Or the second project might have been another comissioned but not published continuation and we'll perhaps never learn more about it.

What I find already great about PROJECT X, apart from the exciting choice of Deaver, is that it proves IFP is determined to continue lit Bond beyond DMC. Not too long ago this was far from a sure bet.

Also great: a reknown name in the thriller field was picked. While for some years now I nursed the private hope of a Bond novel by Stephen Fry, I feel sure a Bond that indeed does thrill is just the thing the series needs the most at the moment. I'm really glad IFP managed to interest Deaver for it, whom I feel sure takes the affair with the right amount of seriousness.

[DAN LIGHTER]

That knocked me for six, Steve Fry? Really? Not read any of his books but don't they need thriller writers? Even though I enjoyed DMC I think most didn't think much of it as Faulks just isn't a Thriller writer.

As you say though Trident, great that they are carrying on after DMC, although it would be bad business sense. You have to keep new products coming out to be competitive.

[Trident]

That knocked me for six, Steve Fry? Really? Not read any of his books but don't they need thriller writers? Even though I enjoyed DMC I think most didn't think much of it as Faulks just isn't a Thriller writer.

BRIEFLY OFF TOPIC

Well, back then I was hoping for a more literary approach for the centenary novel, something more like YOLT. I thought Fry (supposedly a Fleming fan) would have been a great choice, particularly after reading his modern take on the Count-of-Monte-Cristo plot in THE STARS' TENNIS BALLS (strongly recommended!). Fry's THE LIAR has an espionage angle (as does THE STARS' TENNIS BALLS) and THE HIPPOPOTAMUS sees an aging, cantankerous journalist secretly 'investigating' (or spying) strange ongoings at the manor of his friend Lord Logan.

None of these books is a thriller in the strict sense of the word. Nonetheless, all sport certain elements that would have gone well with a Fry Bond. Never having read anything by Fry that he just punched into the keyboard with a 'below me' attitude, I daresay we'd have gotten something that would have actually been fun rereading. Time and again.

[DAN LIGHTER]

That knocked me for six, Steve Fry? Really? Not read any of his books but don't they need thriller writers? Even though I enjoyed DMC I think most didn't think much of it as Faulks just isn't a Thriller writer.

BRIEFLY OFF TOPIC

Well, back then I was hoping for a more literary approach for the centenary novel, something more like YOLT. I thought Fry (supposedly a Fleming fan) would have been a great choice, particularly after reading his modern take on the Count-of-Monte-Cristo plot in THE STARS' TENNIS BALLS (strongly recommended!). Fry's THE LIAR has an espionage angle (as does THE STARS' TENNIS BALLS) and THE HIPPOPOTAMUS sees an aging, cantankerous journalist secretly 'investigating' (or spying) strange ongoings at the manor of his friend Lord Logan.

None of these books is a thriller in the strict sense of the word. Nonetheless, all sport certain elements that would have gone well with a Fry Bond. Never having read anything by Fry that he just punched into the keyboard with a 'below me' attitude, I daresay we'd have gotten something that would have actually been fun rereading. Time and again.

Thanks Trident. I have browsed through THE HIPPOPOTAMUS before. Must get it, you have tempted me.

Back on topic

Could we say Deaver is higher profile than Sebastian Faulks?

[Trident]

Back on topic

Could we say Deaver is higher profile than Sebastian Faulks?

In terms of 'market value'? Definitely. His books have been translated into 25 languages, his Rhyme series is a sure aspirant for the bestseller lists with every new entry (as are the Dance books, it would seem). His stand-alone works are likewise well-received with readers and critics. I daresay he's sold several times over the number of copies Faulks's books have.

Faulks is the writer with the literary aspiration, deservedly so. But that doesn't mean Deaver's work would not have aspirations of its own. He writes a certain genre and of course has to obey the rules therein, but his attitude is obviously not that his work is any less serious or he doesn't have to work as hard just because his writing is chiefly to entertain. Apparently, sloppyness is not an issue with his books as his solid fanbase attests to.

Higher profile? Surely with the reading public.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Just thinking out loud here, which I guess is the point of a forum how many copies of the Project X book do we think will be made? Limited Editions? Signed Editions? Bentley ££££ Editions? Do we have to cue at Waterstones? I am thinking about a day off and a train ride to London already And saving up a bit. I would be happy just with 1500 signed copies going to independent bookshops, just to keep the costs down.

[zencat]

Heck, I'm already in line at Waterstones. Not going to let someone beat me to copy #007 this time!

sent from my iPhone

[DAN LIGHTER]

Ill be the one in the 007 logo printed over the sleeping bag outside Waterstones. I might actually travel up the night before.

[zencat]

There was a guy who slept in Waterstone's doorway for DMC. He got #007. I didn't sleep out there, but I did join the line at 5AMish. What fun day that was.

[DAN LIGHTER]

There was a guy who slept in Waterstone's doorway for DMC. He got #007. I didn't sleep out there, but I did join the line at 5AMish. What fun day that was.

And what number would you say you were in the cue at 5am Zencat? What a very early start.

[zencat]

There were still maybe 30 people ahead of me.

[Trident]

I would not exactly expect the same show as last time, but IFP certainly knows how to keep us fans on the edge. I suspect there will be queues in front of the stores, no doubt about it.

[DAN LIGHTER]

There were still maybe 30 people ahead of me.

Blast! how early does one have to be up?

I hope they give us the key to open it if the picture for the book is correct on Amazon for Project X

edit:
I agree Trident, I guess it will be toned down a bit. I hope we dont get to many editions. I got the signed 1500 and that was it.

[zencat]

BTW, lining up that early wasn't necessary. While the did sell out the special by noon, I could have strolled in any time before and still got a copy. But it was the fun and fan frenzy of it all. Even got interviewed by a news crew. I know The Admiral was photographed and made the paper.

[terminus]

I was the first person in our local Waterstones to pick a copy up, I believe. But nobody cares about the first person to pick one up in Oldham!

I didn't pre-order and they gave me the postcards anyway. Found them the other week still in the wrapping.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Was it signed Terminus?

[terminus]

Not that I noticed. Was the first copy in every store supposed to be signed? If so, I must not have been the first person to pick a copy up or they set aside the signed copy for someone who had pre ordered.

[zencat]

There were a very limited amount of signed copies at select stores in London. Even I didn't know about this until after the fact. They vanished instantly. Faulks signed precious few DMCs, so copies are rare.

[DAN LIGHTER]

Not that I noticed. Was the first copy in every store supposed to be signed? If so, I must not have been the first person to pick a copy up or they set aside the signed copy for someone who had pre ordered.

There was the First Edition UK Hardback of Devil May Care that 1500 were signed and went to Independent Bookshops. (£18:99) now around the £50 - £100 price mark.

First American editions just had a book plate.No idea about price.

Boxed special Limited Editions signed 250 that were only available at Watertones Piccadilly that were £50(I think?) and now go for around £200 - £300 price mark.

Then the Bentley Edition that cost £750 and now go for £1000 and up.

Exciting to think what will get done for Project X

[Brisco]

Wouldn't that be a bit out of character for IFP, to flood us with projects? The current policy suggests, scarcity is the key to success. Provided the second secret project Higson hinted at is indeed a major one, sporting new and original content, I'd be surprised if we learned more about it before PROJECT X has hit the shelves. Maybe not even for some time after, depending on the response to Deaver's book.

I don't know about that. Again, allowing that it's unlikely, there is certainly precedent. Moneypenny Diaries were announced after Young Bond was already announced. And in 2008 we had the third Moneypenny, the last YB and DMC all announced and in the pipeline concurrently. If anything, IFP's recent history seems to point towards more than one project percolating at a time.

And that would be a great thing! None of this speculation is a disrespect to Deaver, who I think we're all very excited about. It's just out of a boundless enthusiasm for all things literary James Bond!

[Trident]

Moneypenny Diaries were announced after Young Bond was already announced. And in 2008 we had the third Moneypenny, the last YB and DMC all announced and in the pipeline concurrently. If anything, IFP's recent history seems to point towards more than one project percolating at a time.

Actually, I always felt IFP was strangely reserved and reluctant about the announcement and support for Moneypenny Diaries, which is what made me doubt any abundance of future projects in the first place. The several series coming together in 2008 was really only due to the centenary, I suppose.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I wouldn't read or expect too much from a potential Project Y.

If Project X disappoints then Bond fans may label it Project Why instead.

[terminus]

Taking slightly off-topic again to future authors, I would love Mark Gatiss to do a Bond novel and think he'd be perfectly capable of doing the job after reading his Lucifer Box novel Black Butterfly, a sixties set Fleming-esque Bond homage (replete with a much more Bondian 'pre-titles').

[Blofeld's Cat]

Taking slightly off-topic again to future authors, I would love Mark Gatiss to do a Bond novel and think he'd be perfectly capable of doing the job after reading his Lucifer Box novel Black Butterfly, a sixties set Fleming-esque Bond homage (replete with a much more Bondian 'pre-titles').

Yes, even the cover is Bondian...

http://img1.fantasti...n52/n264710.jpg

But we digress.

[zencat]

From the official site:

The Mission: Stay tuned for your chance to be a part of this one-of-a-kind event. Check back here for more information on a secret mission soon.

Wonder what this will be?

[Jeff007]

Maybe we can vote on a few mission ideas before he writes the story?

[zencat]

I think he's already well into writing the book. Maybe there will be a poll to choose a character name, or maybe it will have something to do with the title.

[whiteskwirl]

Maybe we can vote on a few mission ideas before he writes the story?

Surely he's started writing it already, right? Or at least already has the story planned out. Or did he just sign on for this the other day?