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  11 July 2007

Sebastian Faulks is named as the new James Bond author

Sebastian Faulks writes the new James Bond novel, to be published by Penguin in May 2008

"In his house in Jamaica, Ian Fleming used to write a thousand words in the morning, then go snorkelling, have a cocktail, lunch on the terrace, more diving, another thousand words in late afternoon, then more Martinis and glamorous women. In my house in London, I followed this routine exactly, apart from the cocktails, the lunch and the snorkelling."

Sebastian Faulks, one of Britain’s most admired novelists, is announced today as the author of a brand new James Bond novel, to be published next year by Penguin Books in the UK and Doubleday in the US.

The book, entitled DEVIL MAY CARE, will be published to mark the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth 28th May 2008. Ian Fleming Publications Ltd announced in July 2006 that a new Bond book had been commissioned and now, after a year of speculation, the author and title are revealed.

Sebastian Faulks comments, “I was surprised but flattered to be asked by the Fleming Estate last summer if I would write a one-off Bond book for the Ian Fleming Centenary. I told them that I hadn’t read the books since the age of 13, but if, when I re-read them, I still enjoyed them and could see how I might be able to do something in the same vein, then I would be happy to consider it. On re-reading, I was surprised by how well the books stood up.”

Sebastian Faulks - The New James Bond Author

He continues, “I found writing this light-hearted book more thrilling than I had expected. I hope people will enjoy reading it and that Ian Fleming would consider it to be in the cavalier spirit of his own novels and therefore an acceptable addition to the line.”
OCTOPUSSY AND THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS FIRST EDITION

Fleming’s last Bond book, OCTOPUSSY AND THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS, was published in 1966. Forty two years later and in keeping with tradition, DEVIL MAY CARE is set in the Cold War and the action is played out across two continents, exotic locations and several of the world’s most thrilling cities.

Alex Clarke, the editor at Penguin, comments, “Penguin UK is delighted to be publishing DEVIL MAY CARE in May 2008 to mark the centenary of Ian Fleming's birth. When we heard that Sebastian Faulks would be taking up the mantle, we knew instantly there could not be a more fitting celebration of the most iconic spy in literature and film - Bond, James Bond. Not only has Sebastian picked up from where Fleming left off, but he has also brought his own exquisite prose to the cocktail party - and, in so doing, has written a tour de force that will thrill and satisfy every kind of reader and every kind of James Bond fan.”

He continues, “DEVIL MAY CARE will be a superb addition to the James Bond publishing legacy”. Penguin UK publishes all 14 of Fleming's Bond novels, the Charlie Higson YOUNG BOND series, as well as Fleming's children's classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. To mark the centenary, we will be creating a special James Bond imprint, Penguin 007 - within which DEVIL MAY CARE will be published in May 2008. 

Sebastian Faulks is best known for his French trilogy, The Girl at the Lion d'Or, Birdsong and Charlotte Gray. Birdsong is regularly voted one of the nation's favourite books and Charlotte Gray was filmed with Cate Blanchett as Charlotte. The trilogy has sold almost four million copies in the UK. In all, Faulks has written ten books, including eight novels, the most recent of which, Engleby, was published to widespread acclaim in May this year. Like Fleming, who was a journalist for Reuters and The Sunday Times, Faulks was a journalist for The Daily and Sunday Telegraph, he was the first Literary Editor of The Independent and later became Deputy Editor of The Independent on Sunday.

PENGUIN 007

Corinne Turner, Managing Director Ian Fleming Publications Ltd comments, “We had had Sebastian Faulks in mind for our centenary novel for quite some time. I have always enjoyed and admired his novels, but it wasn’t until I read On Green Dolphin Street that it occurred to me that he would be perfect for Bond. He has an ability to write totally convincingly in whichever period or genre he chooses, and that particular book made me think he might enjoy exploring the world of Ian Fleming and James Bond. I knew that it would have to be something very special to tempt him to have a go, and at the time didn’t make an approach. However, when we came to think of authors for our centenary novel and his agent, quite independently, suggested Sebastian, it was just meant to be.”

“The Fleming family were delighted with the typescript when we received it. Barbara Broccoli, to whom we gave a sneak preview, said if I had told her the family had found an old manuscript of Ian’s in the basement, she would have believed me. Sebastian couldn’t have written a better book to celebrate Ian’s 100th birthday.”
Ian Fleming centenary

DEVIL MAY CARE is published to mark the Ian Fleming Centenary. The book is at the centre of a larger programme of celebratory events that will run throughout 2008.

Faulks remains with his usual publisher, Random House, and comments, "I am sure Penguin will do a great job with this book, but I would like to stress that Random House remain my publishers. Hutchinson and Vintage have done a fantastic job for me over the last 20 years and I will stay with them for as long as they will have me - for another 20 years at least, I hope."
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Sebastian Faulks FACT FILE