CommanderBond.net

Recently I made an inquiry at raymondbenson.com as to whether Benson would be writing a new Bond Novel this year. Here is the response I got:

QUOTE

DELETED BECAUSE PERMISSION TO REPRINT EMAIL WASN'T GRANTED BY MR. RAYMOND BENSON

Thoughts anyone?

That may be RaymondBenson.Com, but I don't think thats credible.


~LTK~

It's his official site... I think the webmaster is even a member of these forums.

Well, I hate to say this, but it's legit.

I confess, this isn’t exactly news to me, but I am greatly disappointed. Not only am I disappointed that Raymond may not be doing the books anymore, but that there might not be any new Bond books period. For those of you who wished death upon the literary Bond, here you go. Rejoice.

I do think the Fleming estate is making a big mistake, but it doesn’t really surprise me. They were always against the idea of continuation novels. Ann Fleming wrote such a vicious review of Colonel Sun for the Sunday Telegraph, that the paper decided not to publish it for fear of libel. Peter Jason-Smith, Ian Fleming's agent and friend, ran Glidrose until 2001 and he alone seemed to understand that people loved James Bond, not JUST Ian Fleming. But after Jason-Smith left, the Fleming estate took over and promptly changed the name to "Ian Fleming Publications" -- which should tell you all they’re interested in. Hey, they didn't call it "James Bond Publications!" I really don’t understand how they expect to make money without publishing new books (and I wouldn't expect them to reprint the Gardner books anytime soon). I’m a huge fan of the Bond books, but I already have the Fleming books, ten-fold.

But like Raymond said, nothing is set in stone, so maybe we will see more novels by Benson or maybe a new author, or maybe alternating authors. Time will tell.

But if you think this is as idiotic as I do, feel free to let the Fleming estate know your feelings at http://www.ianflemingcentre.com/

Boy, this sucks.......not a surprise, but damn, well maybe we'll still get Benson doing novelizations, that's something at least.....man Glidrose sucks ***

Like zencat, I've known about this for some time, but was sworn to secrecy. It's very sad. One can only hope that the former Glidrose will see the error of their ways by the time they finish publishing all of the Fleming novels. Whether it's Benson or someone else the Bond novels need to continue. I for one don't know how I'll make it through a year with a a new Bond entry. Luckily, I still have Christopher Wood's James Bond And Moonraker and James Bond, The Spy Who Loved Me, and The Killing Zone left to be read. But by time I finish those I want a new Bond adventure.

I guess I'll just have to start writing another fan fiction.

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Originally posted by Mister Asterix Like zencat, I've known about this for some time, but was sworn to secrecy.

How did you and zen know about it before? Why were you sworn to secrecy?

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Originally posted by philbowski How did you and zen know about it before? Why were you sworn to secrecy?

To be truthful, I didn't know that zencat knew, so he'll have to answer himself. I, personally, won't say where I heard it from, but I will say the reason I was sworn to secrecy is out of respect for Raymond. When I heard nothing was a done deal, and I Raymond did not want it common knowledge. I respect that.

My story from the CBn front page:

Benson takes a break from Bond

A statement on Raymond Benson's official website, RaymondBenson.com, puts in question of the future Benson's reign as author of James Bond novels, as far as the future of the Bond novels themselves. The statement reads as follows:

Latest News - Updated February 18, 2002
While nothing is set in stone, Raymond is taking a break from James Bond. There are a number of reasons for this, but mainly after
six original novels, three film novelizations, and three short stories, Raymond feels the need to do some things of his own. In fact, he
was working throughout the latter half of 2002 on an original novel of suspense which he has just delivered to his agent. For further
information about publishing activities of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd., visit their website at www.ianflemingcentre.com.

The website's statment also leaves up in the air as to whether the Fleming estate plans any new books in the future. All that is clear is that there will be no new James Bond novel in 2003. And that the immediate future of the Bond canon is questionable.

Raymond Benson has authored James Bond from 1997 to present and his novels include Zero Minus Ten, The Facts Of Death, High Time To Kill, Doubleshot, Never Dream Of Dying, and The Man With The Red Tattoo plus the novelisations of Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day.

This is kind of a shock that's not too shocking really. I'm surprised it's actually happening, but with the lack of backup RB gets from the estate it was bound to happen sooner or later.

I'm sure we all hoped it would be later rather than sooner, but there you go.

Not being able to find a new Bond on the bookstore shelf every year is going to take some getting used to, even though I'm yet to read any non-Fleming Bond novel.

The fact that a new one usually shows up on a regular basis validates the longevity of the literary Bond.

I became a hardcore Bond fan in 1981, the same year as License Renewed, so a book a year has been as big a part of my Bond life as the films. Heck, when we had the 6-year drought, at least we still had the books. It was the only thing that kept me going. I was looking as forward to The Man With The Red Tattoo in 2002 as I was DAD. I can't believe the Fleming estate is even considering taking this away from Bond fans. I don’t want to re-read Fleming for the rest of my days. It’s clear that the literary Bond will simply drift away into nostalgia. What a huge disappointment this is, and what mistake on the part of Ian Fleming Publications. Here’s hoping they will get a clue one day.

A sad, sad day for the Bond world. My words to the estate went something like this:

Sirs,
If you are not going to use Raymond, then could you at least give us a glimmer of hope regarding the continuation of the novels. There is no reason for someone such as myself, a Fleming fan of more than 30 years, to purchase books of which I already have the first editions, and continue to read quite happily. The continuation novels are necessary to draw new fans to the flame, and also to keep the flame lit for older fans. Please, think it over.
Thomas Clink

Please, everybody that is willing, log on and give them a piece of your mind. I remember the void of not having any novels to look forward to, and the joy of the day I picked up the first Gardner novel. I don't want that joy to go dormant again.

I think I shall go on later and give them my opinion, because they are probably re-issusing the Fleming books so that people can get interested in them nowadays, but they won't, and I will tell them why.