On writing while dead: Faulks says toodle pip to a second Bond sequel

June 19, 9:11 PMDC Publishing Industry ExaminerWendy Coakley-Thompson

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Sebastian Faulks. Photograph Deborah Feingold/PA

Sebastian Faulks has refused to write a follow-up to the 2008 James Bond bestseller Devil May Care, according to The Bookseller. Faulks informed the British book industry magazine that he has no plans to step into Ian Fleming’s large shoes again, saying this:

My contract did offer me a second go, but definitely not. ‘Once funny, twice silly, three times a slap', as the nanny saying goes. But I think it would be a good gig for someone to do."

Faulks has quite the successful writing career of his own. The author, formerly a feature writer and literary editor for prestigious British newspapers, has written ten novels, has won two British Book Awards, and has taken home the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction. For what his bio calls his "services to literature," he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire honor (CBE) in 2002. He is also a Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature.

Writing as Ian Fleming, Faulks penned Devil May Care, which Penguin UK released on May 28 of last year to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Fleming’s birth. Devil May Care sold 44,093 copies in its first four days, making it Penguin UK's fastest selling hardback novel in the company’s history.

Perhaps this is why Simon Trewin of United Agents, who manages the Fleming estate’s literary rights to Bond, is keeping the door open, even though no new author has been chosen to replace Faulks. Though there’s nothing solid on the drawing board at this time, Trewin told The Bookseller, "All options are open."