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Ken Follett Off The Cards For Centenary Novel?

Author nevertheless expresses interest in writing a 007 book

Why Lee Child Turned Down The Centenary Novel

'Twice over the period of five years they've asked me...'

In no particular order:

Frederick Forsyth
Stephen Fry
Charlie Higson
Henry Chancellor
Martin Amis
Ken Follett
Gerald Seymour
William Boyd
Mark Gatiss
Hugh Laurie
William Gibson
Bret Easton Ellis
Dan Brown

Any others?

Nice thread, snf.

OK, my problem is that I do not read contemporary thriller writers that much. My list below is a range of people who definitely NOT be doing it but who would be either interesting, too obvious or too fannish choices.


Interesting

Robert Harris - I like his worked out, detailed, historical thrillers. If the Centenary Bond is set in the 1960's he could do a marvellous job. Get him off this Ancient Rome trip he's currently on.

Iain Banks - the Banksie of Canal Dreams and Complicity and some of his Sci-Fi work (his setpieces are astounding). He wrote precocious Alistair MacLean-esque thrillers as a wee lad. He doesn't really like Bond though and wouldn't do it.

Thomas Harris - not read any of his books but too many litBond fans I know and respect say he could be a good fit.

Too Obvious
Lee Child
Anthony Horowitz
Jack Higgins
Andy MacNab

Too Fannish
John Pearson - The Authorised Biography of 007 was excellent.
Christopher Wood - his novelizations were wonderful.
Raymond Benson - (ducks head) Well, I liked his work.
Andrew Lycett - well, if Pearson could do it, so could Lycett. His style for his superb Fleming biography seems an exact fit. He won't though, as he's finishing(ed) his biography on Conan Doyle (and, of course, he probably hasn't been asked).
Charlie Higson - (mentioned in snf's post). He would be perfect. His Young Bond work is, IMHO, an absolute must for the Fleming purist.

I could see it being Ken Follett, Gerald Seymour, or, at a push, Freddie Forsyth. Not too sure about the others. I suppose Len Deighton's a remote possibility, as well.

Barry Eisler - his "Rain" novels are excellent (and my choice for the job).

Martin Cruz Smith - his "Renko" novels are superb.

Christopher Brookmyre, if he reins the political/religious posturing in a tadge.
P.D. James, for novelty and because she writes beautifully.
Robert Harris, because he sells shedloads and has some sound ideas.
Stephen Fry, because he could do it and he has done pastiche before; also full of ideas.
Salman Rushdie, because he needs a friend.

If they went the route of five short stories/novellas (novellae?) instead of one novel, those would be my five bods.

Otherwise, and I know this is going to look appalling, but somebody British, or familiar with the British idiom. And ideally someone who couldn't care less about the films.

Dan Brown, Anthony Horowitz? ugh.. GUN.

Never read any of his works, but I always thought David Wolstencroft was a likely candidate.

Honestly I have no favorite for the job as I haven't been reading a lot of contemporary spy fiction works. I know who I don't want though All I ask for is a serious Ian Fleming style continuation novel and not something that was inspired by the movies -- unless said movie is maybe Casino Royale or any of the other more Fleming faithful. As Jim said, someone British would probably be best.

Oh yes, Wolstonecroft - surely he must be somewhere in the running?

I *very* much doubt that Horowitz will be the writer, but didn't he once reveal in an interview that he had been asked to do Young Bond? That might give a clue that it may just be an obvious candidate.

I wonder if we should have some sort of poll? Is there a favourite at this stage? Anyone who has made cryptic remarks about being busy 'for some time' that have been analysed at length?

A believable list. I'm inclined to think it'll be someone not known for just being a writer in the Charlie Higson mould as it's worked out so well with Young Bond.
They're in the business of selling books, and whereas pretty much all of us Bond fans will buy the thing no matter who's written it, yer average punter is more likely to be attracted by the idea of (and large publicity that would arise from) someone like Stephen Fry doing a Bond novel than they would be someone like Ken Follett or David Wolstencroft.
If you can get your writer on Jonathan Ross and push the book whilst being a good interviewee, you're going to sell a truckload more books. That's not to say it's an entirely cynical affair, but Higson worked out so well, pleasing everyone, that I'd be inclined to go down the same route if I were them. And they've already announced that it'll be a big name, haven't they? So they're already pursuing the star factor.


Might be wrong, though.

Can't vouch yet for the soruce, but Ken Follett may now be off the list.

Centenary watch: Cross Follett off the list?

Whoa whoa whoa, Zencat. That's pretty big news there.

'I haven't been asked to write a James Bond book, but I'd probably say Yes. I think I would set it in the fifties.'
- Ken Follett (in email)

Perhaps this strikes him off the list for the 2008 gig, but this is massive: Follett is openly saying he'd write a Bond novel, and he's one of the biggest-selling and most respected thriller writers on the planet. My first thought would be that this should be a small item for the front page - Follett seems to be ruled out of 2008 job, but expresses interest nevertheless. Hopefully, papers might pick it up and IFP might get wind of it. Follett is probably a bigger catch than whoever they do have. Seriously - a Follett Bond would be guaranteed to sell in the millions (he's sold 90 million books worldwide to date). And he's written several period thrillers, so the idea of his tackling Bond in the 50s... I don't know - it's got me excited!

Louise Welsh. Good with suspense and has the slightly sadistic leanings that a good Bond story needs.

Alex Garland. Simple, direct writing and an unusual imagination. Seems to have a taste for unusual projects.

Randy Wayne White. Manly, tough as nails writer with a love of exotic destinations. Has described his "Doc Ford" character as "James Bond, retired and become a marine biologist".

From [dark] on the CBn main page...

Ken Follett Off The Cards For Centenary Novel?

Author nevertheless expresses interest in writing a 007 book