LICENCE EXPIRED: The Unauthorized James Bond

It looks like independent publisher ChiZine is making good with their promise to publish an unauthorized anthology of James Bond short stories. Amazon.ca now has a pre-order listing for Licence Expired: The Unauthorized James Bond along with pretty cool cover art. Release date is November 17, 2015.

An anthology of collected stories from various Canadian authors, based on Ian Fleming's fourteen published Bond novels, edited by Canadian genre authors Madeline Ashby and David Nickle. To be published in Canada only.

Back in January it was widely reported that James Bond had entered the public domain in Canada, clearing the way for unauthorized books. This is the first one out of the gate and up on Amazon. We'll see what happens!

Publisher announces plans for an UNAUTHORIZED James Bond anthology

Independent Toronto publisher ChiZine Publications has announced that it will release an unauthorized anthology of James Bond short stories in November called, Licence Expired: The Unauthorized James Bond. The press release comes on the heels of an article on io9 which claims James Bond is now public domain in Canada.

"We want to feature original, transformative stories set in the world of Secret Agent 007," says co-editor David Nickle. "We're hoping our contributors will combine the guilty-pleasure excitement of the vintage Fleming experience with a modern critique of it."

"This is an opportunity to comment on the Bond universe from within it," adds Madeline Ashby. "We're specifically looking for writers and stories that would make Fleming roll in his grave."

So how real is this?

Well, if you check out this interview, you'll see that this is all a prelude to a Kickstarter campaign, so I'm skeptical. (I don't trust Kickstarter, having seen one too many scams.) I'm also skeptical of the claim of Bond being public domain in Canada. I think both Danjaq and IFP might have something to say about that.

When asked if they are worried about being sued, a representative of ChiZine states: "Of course I am. Isn’t everyone? But it’s worth the risk. After all. You only live twice."

I'll believe it when I see it.