Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
09-30-12, 10:36 PM
#1
Banned by request
Thread Starter
Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
http://www.thebookbond.com/2012/04/a...-backlist.html
Amazon has a page for all the new versions of the Fleming Bonds: http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=amb_link...d_i=1612185436
They have much better covers than the Penguin versions, and right now while they're still in pre-order (they come out mid-October), they're $8 and change per book. I would recommend grabbing the Penguin collection "Quantum of Solace," which collects all of Fleming's Bond short stories in one book for $10, instead of the Amazon versions which spread the short stories over two books (as originally published).
Amazon Publishing to Publish James Bond Backlist
Thomas & Mercer acquires license to publish Ian Fleming's 14 classic James Bond books in North America
SEATTLE, Apr 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Ian Fleming Publications Ltd today announced that Amazon Publishing has acquired a ten-year license for North American rights to the entire list of James Bond books by Ian Fleming in print and ebook. Along with the iconic series, Fleming's two works of non-fiction, consisting of a collection of travel writings called Thrilling Cities (1963) and an expose of the illegal precious stones trade entitled The Diamond Smugglers (1957), are also included in the agreement. Jonny Geller, Managing Director at Curtis Brown, negotiated the agreement. All of the titles will be reissued by Amazon Publishing's Thomas & Mercer imprint beginning in summer 2012.
"We are excited to be using the opportunity of this re-license to introduce Ian Fleming's books to a broader audience in the USA, and we believe that Amazon Publishing has the ability to place the books back at the heart of the Bond brand, balancing traditional publishing routes with new technologies and new ways of reaching our readers," said Corinne Turner, Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.
The agreement for the 14 classic James Bond titles includes the first James Bond book in the series, Casino Royale (1953)--which will celebrate 60 years of publication in 2013--as well as Live and Let Die (1954); Moonraker (1955); Diamonds Are Forever (1956); From Russia with Love (1957); Dr. No (1958); Goldfinger (1959); For your Eyes Only (1960); Thunderball (1961); The Spy Who Loved Me (1962); On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1963); You Only Live Twice (1964); The Man With The Golden Gun (1965) and Octopussy and the Living Daylights (1966). Since their first publication the books have sold over 100 million copies worldwide and have been the inspiration behind the world's longest-running film franchise. Following Fleming's death in 1964, Kingsley Amis wrote the next book in the Bond series, Colonel Sun, under the name of Robert Markham. Bond novels have since been written by John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Sebastian Faulks, and Jeffery Deaver.
"We are devoted fans of Fleming's Bond novels here at Amazon Publishing, and we're thrilled these books--already known across the world and across generations--will continue to flourish under our Thomas & Mercer imprint," says Philip Patrick, Director, Business Development, Rights and Licensing. "Amazon Publishing offers signature authors a new life for great backlist titles. Fleming is the perfect fit."
Geller says, "This deal heralds a new phase in Ian Fleming's publishing story. We are excited to be working with Amazon in North America to bring a new generation of readers to Ian Fleming's classic novels."
This agreement comes on the heels of the announcement last month by The Random House Group that the Bond backlist was returning to its publishing roots in the UK, with Vintage Books (sister imprint of Jonathan Cape, the original publisher of Casino Royale) acquiring a ten-year license for exclusive rights to the Bond novels in the English language with the exception of North America.
Thomas & Mercer acquires license to publish Ian Fleming's 14 classic James Bond books in North America
SEATTLE, Apr 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Ian Fleming Publications Ltd today announced that Amazon Publishing has acquired a ten-year license for North American rights to the entire list of James Bond books by Ian Fleming in print and ebook. Along with the iconic series, Fleming's two works of non-fiction, consisting of a collection of travel writings called Thrilling Cities (1963) and an expose of the illegal precious stones trade entitled The Diamond Smugglers (1957), are also included in the agreement. Jonny Geller, Managing Director at Curtis Brown, negotiated the agreement. All of the titles will be reissued by Amazon Publishing's Thomas & Mercer imprint beginning in summer 2012.
"We are excited to be using the opportunity of this re-license to introduce Ian Fleming's books to a broader audience in the USA, and we believe that Amazon Publishing has the ability to place the books back at the heart of the Bond brand, balancing traditional publishing routes with new technologies and new ways of reaching our readers," said Corinne Turner, Managing Director of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.
The agreement for the 14 classic James Bond titles includes the first James Bond book in the series, Casino Royale (1953)--which will celebrate 60 years of publication in 2013--as well as Live and Let Die (1954); Moonraker (1955); Diamonds Are Forever (1956); From Russia with Love (1957); Dr. No (1958); Goldfinger (1959); For your Eyes Only (1960); Thunderball (1961); The Spy Who Loved Me (1962); On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1963); You Only Live Twice (1964); The Man With The Golden Gun (1965) and Octopussy and the Living Daylights (1966). Since their first publication the books have sold over 100 million copies worldwide and have been the inspiration behind the world's longest-running film franchise. Following Fleming's death in 1964, Kingsley Amis wrote the next book in the Bond series, Colonel Sun, under the name of Robert Markham. Bond novels have since been written by John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Sebastian Faulks, and Jeffery Deaver.
"We are devoted fans of Fleming's Bond novels here at Amazon Publishing, and we're thrilled these books--already known across the world and across generations--will continue to flourish under our Thomas & Mercer imprint," says Philip Patrick, Director, Business Development, Rights and Licensing. "Amazon Publishing offers signature authors a new life for great backlist titles. Fleming is the perfect fit."
Geller says, "This deal heralds a new phase in Ian Fleming's publishing story. We are excited to be working with Amazon in North America to bring a new generation of readers to Ian Fleming's classic novels."
This agreement comes on the heels of the announcement last month by The Random House Group that the Bond backlist was returning to its publishing roots in the UK, with Vintage Books (sister imprint of Jonathan Cape, the original publisher of Casino Royale) acquiring a ten-year license for exclusive rights to the Bond novels in the English language with the exception of North America.
They have much better covers than the Penguin versions, and right now while they're still in pre-order (they come out mid-October), they're $8 and change per book. I would recommend grabbing the Penguin collection "Quantum of Solace," which collects all of Fleming's Bond short stories in one book for $10, instead of the Amazon versions which spread the short stories over two books (as originally published).
10-01-12, 09:37 AM
#3
Moderator
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
I already have all (or nearly all) the Bond novels. I doubt I'll buy any of these, but might not be a bad idea for those purchasing the books for the first time.
10-01-12, 09:50 AM
#4
Banned by request
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
I like the new covers. Very minimalist. I had about half of the Fleming books from the Penguin editions, and with the prices on these, ordered the other half last night.
10-02-12, 06:52 AM
#5
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
I got Penguin's Casino Royale and Live and Let Die and really like covers. I was planning on getting the entire series but does this mean those covers/formats are no longer going to be available?
For example:
For example:
Last edited by ytrez; 10-02-12 at 06:52 AM. Reason: formatting
10-02-12, 09:12 AM
#6
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
I like the covers for themselves, but they don't say Bond to me.
Don't bother with Thrilling Cities. Ian Fleming gets paid to go out for dinner, and then throws some business to some of his restauranteur friends.
Don't bother with Thrilling Cities. Ian Fleming gets paid to go out for dinner, and then throws some business to some of his restauranteur friends.
10-02-12, 06:56 PM
#7
Banned by request
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
ytrez, the Penguin versions are now out of print. So if you want their covers you should buy them used.
Nick, while those covers don't necessarily scream Bond, they do have a good 60's minimalist feel to them. I personally think the Penguin covers were too garish.
Nick, while those covers don't necessarily scream Bond, they do have a good 60's minimalist feel to them. I personally think the Penguin covers were too garish.
10-03-12, 10:18 AM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
The cover art definitely looks like sixties Op Art. But the James Bond books are mostly a fifties millieu, with the last novel published in 1965. The periods don't really overlap. It would be like putting psychedelic poster art on Elvis Presley records.
10-03-12, 12:56 PM
#9
Banned by request
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
The Bond books were mainly written in the 50's, but the Bond phenomenon was mainly a 60's one, so I'm fine with it.
10-03-12, 06:13 PM
#10
Banned by request
Thread Starter
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
Also, I hope the binding on these is better than the Penguin editions. I just opened up a brand new copy of From Russia With Love and the pages are already separating from the spine.
10-03-12, 10:23 PM
#11
Re: Amazon to Publish Ian Fleming's Bond Novels (Print and eBook)
Scrolling down while looking at Moonraker just gave me a headache. Okay not really but it looks like those things that rotate without rotating.
