39 replies to this topic

[zencat]

Even if you haven't read the Young Bond novels, I think you'll enjoy this look at the creation of a James Bond book/series. It's not often we get this good of a look behind the curtain.

http://www.thebookbo...james-bond.html

[Matt_13]

WOW. Nice work Zen! This is terrific!

[Kronsteen]

Great article! Lots of interesting info I didn't know of before.

I was too a bit sceptical at the beginning, and still feel that Silverfin is the weakest of the Young Bonds, but it totally turned for me when I read Bloodfever. It is really a good read, even for adults, and in all ways a great Bond novel.

Waiting for the next article...

[Jim]

Splendid; excellent article.

[Righty007]

Brilliant stuff.

[zencat]

Thanks guys. A lot of this info is brand new. All the stuff about Kate Jones' involvement has never been told, and she had so much to do with the series. It really struck me that we know so little about what goes on behind the scenes with the books. But we got a lot of info from IFP, Charlie, etc., re Young Bond. I figured if I pulled it all together (before I forget or lose it all), I could do something that's never been done -- tell the "making of" story of an entire Bond book series.

I have all the other articles roughed out. I'll polish them up and post as the mood hits.

[Major Tallon]

Great work, Zencat! Looking forward to future installments.

[Dustin]

Splendid!

[stromberg]

Oh, very good.
No better man to write this story down than yourself, zen.

Interesting to read about some of the rejected ideas. I believe the 'dog' idea was briefly speculated on this board, good that they dropped it.
Minor correction: German publisher's name is 'Arena Verlag' - 'Verlag' means just 'publishing house'

[zencat]

Ah, thank you. Fixed.

[glidrose]

Fantastic piece. Eagerly await the next installment. I too thought YB was a dumb idea until I read the books. I think Higson's contributions are among the finest Bond novels. Count me among those who want Higson to do adult Bond.

[zencat]

Part II - Fever Pitch:

http://www.thebookbo...-bond-part.html

[Major Tallon]

Part II:

http://www.thebookbo...-bond-part.html

More wonderful stuff, Zencat. Thank you.

[Kronsteen]

Yet again a great read!

[zencat]

Thanks gang. I actually think this is the weakest part. I just don't have much on the behind the scenes of Blood Fever. But I've got lots of great stuff on the rest of the books.

[Dustin]

Most interesting nonetheless, didn't know the first two books did so well.

[Major Tallon]

I've got a question, Zencat. Higson refers to first and second drafts of Blood Fever. I've made quite a little hobby of checking out manuscripts and early drafts of Bond fiction, such as the Fleming manuscipts at the Lilly Library and Ben Hecht's "Casino Royale" at the Newberry Library.

Do you know if the Young Bond drafts/manuscripts are preserved anywhere?

Just curious.

[zencat]

Good question. I don't know that. I'd think IFP would keep an original manuscript of some kind. Be nice to find that out.

[zencat]

Part III - Name Game:

http://www.thebookbo...nd-part_29.html

[Major Tallon]

Simply excellent!

[zencat]

Thank you, Major.

[Simon]

Superb.

[stromberg]

Brilliant work, once again. Great info about the title competition.

[Dustin]

Truly most interesting background story there. I completely missed the trouble around the title.

[zencat]

Thanks guys. Working on the next part now. I've got lots of good stuff on Hurricane Gold.

[Ry]

These articles are amazing. Great work as always Zencat. Can't wait for the rest of them!

[zencat]

Thanks Ry.

Part IV, Gold Standard, is up today.

http://www.thebookbo...-bond-part.html

[Dustin]

Splendid work as ever. Particularly interesting Higson felt his Young Bond had become a character of his own. Exactly my thoughts.

[Major Tallon]

Great work as always, Zencat!

[glidrose]

Doctor Thong? Takes some getting used to. I'm sure Fleming would have made it work.

Hey Zen, you think you could find out what other gems are in those Fleming notebooks?