Ken Follett Off The Cards For Centenary Novel?

The Young Bond Dossier today carries an interesting story sourced from the James Bond Google Groups, in which author Ken Follett has apparently not been approached to write the upcoming 007 novel to mark the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth.

In response to an email from a member of the group who calls himself “Mac”, Ken Follett reportedly said, “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.”

Given IFP’s present inclination to ground its ongoing series (the Young Bond and Moneypenny Diaries books) in Fleming’s timeline, Follett’s suggestion of a period piece may well be on the money.

The Young Bond Dossier are currently seeking confirmation from the man himself, but if true, fans can cross one name off an ever-growing list of potential candidates.

Most recently, CBn heard whispers Stephen Fry, an author in a similar mould to Young Bond novelist Charlie Higson, may have been under consideration at one point.

Ian Fleming Publications (IFP) secured a “very well-known and highly respected” author in July 2006, whose identity will remain under wraps until the novel’s publication in May 2008.

Stay tuned to CBn for all literary 007 news.

So who will it be? Join the debate in this thread on the CBn Forums.

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Well-Known Writer Selected For Centenary Novel

Today, Ian Fleming Publications Limited announced that they “have commissioned a very well-known and highly respected author to write a new James Bond novel.” The publisher has not yet been chosen and the identity of the author will be a closely guarded secret until publication.

BRAND NEW BOND NOVEL TO MARK THE IAN FLEMING CENTENARY IN MAY 2008

Ian Fleming Publications Ltd have commissioned a very well-known and highly respected author to write a new James Bond novel. The launch of the new book, which promises to be a major publishing event, will mark the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth in May 2008.

Corinne Turner of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd comments, “We are delighted to have secured this particular author who we have had in mind for some time now. He is the perfect writer for this project and we are greatly looking forward to his take on James Bond, in what we are convinced will be a stunning novel.”

A publisher has not yet been sought and the identity of the author will be a closely guarded secret until publication.

Ian Fleming, whose one hundredth birthday will be celebrated on the 28th May 2008, gained worldwide acclaim for his most famous literary creation – the suave but deadly British secret agent, James Bond.

The Bond novels are, however, just one aspect of a fascinating life that combined the flamboyant elements of 007 with a unique creativity. Fleming was not only a novelist, but also a journalist, sportsman, naval commander, traveller, intelligence officer and bon-viveur.

2008 will be dedicated to a broad range of events and publications designed to celebrate the life of this literary legend and to examine his legacy. The programme includes a major exhibition featuring never-before-seen material. Further events will reflect Fleming’s passions and experiences in the worlds of art, literature, journalism, sport, motoring and travel.

Corinne Turner adds, “The Ian Fleming Centenary presents an exciting opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary life. Our centenary plans are well underway and we are sure that there are more possibilities still to be explored.”

Official Press Release from IAN FLEMING PUBLICATIONS LTD

Eon Productions’ Bond 22 and Charlie Higson’s Young Bond Book 4 will also be released in 2008.

Discuss this news in this thread on the CBn Forums, the largest James Bond 007 forum on the Internet.

Higson Comments on Adult Bond Novel

Young Bond author Charlie Higson has commented on the possibility of him writing the new adult Bond novel recently announced by Ian Fleming Publications.

Charlie Higson in Los Angeles during his SilverFin book tour

“I’m very honoured. But I’m busy writing the young Bond books and I can’t take the time out. It’s a shame because I’d love to do it,” says Higson, whose first Young Bond book, SilverFin, was a huge success.

There are a total of 5 Young Bond novels planned. Higson’s second Young Bond novel, Blood Fever, will be released January 5, 2006.

At this point in the development of this adult James Bond novel, there still seems to be a great list of authors that could pen the novel. Past mentioned names include Lee Child, Frederick Forsyth and John le Carré. The novel is due for release in 2008.

A report on Contact Music saying Higson “turned down” the offer of writing the adult Bond novel is inaccurate. It’s unlikely that any official offer has yet been made to any author.

Recent reports that Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe and Jamie Bell are compeating for the role of young Bond in a SilverFin movie are also bogus. There is no Young Bond movie currently in the works.

Be sure to stay tuned to CBn for all the news on this upcoming adult James Bond novel.

Share your thoughts and ideas about the new 2008 adult Bond novel in this thread on the CBn Forums.

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New Adult James Bond Novel Coming in 2008

Scotsman.com have today scored a major scoop with the news that Ian Fleming Publications (IFP) are planning to commission a one-off adult James Bond novel to celebrate the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth in 2008.

Following the success of Charlie Higson’s Young Bond series (Book 2, Blood Fever is to be released in January 2006), IFP are keen to commission a big-name author to pen the new novel.

“We are still in the planning stages, but at the moment the idea would be to have it done by an established author – potentially a big name,” said Zoe Watkins of IFP. “The literary Bond is something we want to focus on and any work would have to be in keeping with the literary aspects of the books. If it was successful there could be scope for further novels.”

According to Ms Watkins, the new novel will be far removed from the gloss of 007’s cinematic incarnation, marking a return to the dark and complex nature of Fleming’s early works.

Scotsman.com reports the early favourites to be approached to pen the new novel include Lee Child (Killing Floor), Frederick Forsyth (The Day of the Jackal) and John le Carré (The Tailor of Panama).

John Gardner, who penned 16 James Bond novels throughout the 1980s and 1990s (including two novelisations) has ruled himself out for taking on the new project. “Sorry, but for me Bond is very much in the past. No more comments, no more interviews.”

The adult literary James Bond went on hiatus in 2002, following the publication of Raymond Benson’s The Man With The Red Tattoo and the novelisation of Die Another Day. Earlier this year, Penguin released the first in a series of five novels by Charlie Higson, focussing on Bond’s time at Eton in the 1930s.

The article also gives a few more hints as to the storyline for Higson’s upcoming book, Blood Fever. The new novel will see the teenage Bond encountering a group of Sardinian bandits and a maniacal Italian count hellbent on restoring the Holy Roman Empire.

Head on over to Scotsman.com to read the whole article, in which a range of Bond aficionados – including Bond historian Graham Rye – share their thoughts on where the literary 007 should go from here.

How do you think the true literary Bond should make his comeback? Share your thoughts and ideas in this thread on the CBn Forums.