Keeping 007 Alive offers a rare glimpse into the world of the writers who keep James Bond on the page.
Mark Edlitz, known for his deep dives into the James Bond universe, has released Keeping 007 Alive: Conversations with James Bond Continuation Authors, a new book that offers Bond fans a rare glimpse into the post-Fleming world of 007 literature. Released on 12th November 2024, this book follows Edlitz’s previous work, James Bond After Fleming, an exhaustive overview of Bond novels written by various authors since Ian Fleming’s passing.
In Keeping 007 Alive, Edlitz shifts focus from analysis to conversation, featuring interviews with every Bond continuation author from 1997 to the present day. This exclusive collection of voices includes renowned writers such as Raymond Benson, Sebastian Faulks, Jeffery Deaver, William Boyd, Charlie Higson, Steve Cole, Samantha Weinberg, Anthony Horowitz, and Kim Sherwood, along with Simon Gardner, son of prolific Bond author John Gardner, and Corinne Turner, Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications.
With these interviews, Edlitz allows each writer to share their unique approach to creating a Bond story, revealing how they kept the spirit of Fleming’s Bond alive while crafting fresh narratives for new generations. From the early planning stages to the nuanced details of Bond’s character, the authors pull back the curtain on the creative process, providing insights that both Bond readers and aspiring writers will relish.
As Edlitz notes, Keeping 007 Alive is not just a collection of stories but a journey through the perspectives of writers tasked with continuing one of the most iconic literary legacies. Bond fans looking to understand the art of a 007 continuation novel—and the challenges faced by those who write them—will find much to enjoy in Edlitz’s latest work.
Keeping 007 Alive: Conversations with James Bond Continuation Authors is available from Amazon.
