The James Bond creator’s legacy is to be honored with new editions of the original 007 novels, marking the series’ 70th anniversary in print next year.
Ian Fleming Publications Ltd (IFPL), the publishing company which holds the literary copyrights to Fleming’s books, will produce the new editions of the spy series as well as editions of the non-fiction books of the author and his children’s classic, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The news was announced on the 60th anniversary of the premiere of the first Bond film, Dr. Nowith Sean Connery, October 5, 1962.
The new editions under the Ian Fleming Publications brand will launch in the UK and Commonwealth markets in spring 2023.
The original Bond novels and collections of short stories by Fleming will be available from April 13 next year, 70 years to the day after the author first introduced MI6 agent 007 to the world with the publication of Casino Royale in 1953.
Since that start, more than one hundred million Bond series books have been sold worldwide, according to Ian Fleming Publications.
The new editions will initially be released in paperbacks and e-books, with covers from design firm Webb & Webb, and hardback and limited editions will follow.
They will also include the publishing company’s logo and the Ian Fleming estate of a swallow-tailed hummingbird, Jamaica’s national bird, where Fleming wrote the classic adventure stories.
IFPL Chief Executive Corinne Turner said: “IFPL has worked with publishing partners Random House and Penguin for many years, but we believe it is time for a change of direction.
“The 70th anniversary of Casino Royale is an ideal opportunity to bring the publication of Ian’s books in-house, allowing us to engage directly with readers and fans.
“We hope our new editions will reach as wide an audience as possible, appealing to long-time readers as well as those who have yet to discover Bond novels.”
Fergus Fleming, Fleming’s nephew, added: “Before writing bestselling novels, Ian was a publisher. Having IFPL publish its own books completes the loop.”
The Curtis Brown Group, IFPL’s literary agent, will continue to manage the subsidiary rights licenses for the new edition.
Jonny Geller, Managing Director of The Curtis Brown Group, said: “Ian Fleming Publications has always been an innovative, dynamic and inventive steward of Ian Fleming’s work and everyone at Curtis Brown is looking forward to working with them on this next exciting step.
“Finding a new generation of James Bond readers has always been the top priority and IFPL’s plans to publish the classic original novels will do so with enormous energy and creativity.”
The move marks a new direction for Ian Fleming Publishing as the 10-year licensing agreement with Penguin Random House (Vintage), for the UK and Commonwealth, has come to an end.
Source: Press Association