Has Boyd delivered his BOND 2013 manuscript?

If this quote is accurate, then there's a new James Bond book in the world! According to a report in the Radio Times, the manuscript for William Boyd's new Bond novel should now be in the hands of Ian Fleming Publications:

He is just putting the finishing touches to the manuscript, which has to be delivered before Christmas. Publication is autumn 2013. There’s no title as yet and Boyd is tight-lipped about plot details.

Hopefully we'll start getting some details in the new year. There hasn't been much news on the Boyd book yet -- certainly less than there was on the last Bond novel by Jeffery Deaver at this same time (remember the whole "Project X" tease?).

William Boyd's new Bond novel will be published by Jonathan Cape in the UK and HarperCollins in the U.S and Canada.

Wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR

See you in 2013.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER manuscript sells for £97,250

An original manuscript for the James Bond novel Diamonds Are Forever with Ian Fleming's handwritten corrections sold for £97,250 ($158,000) at Sotheby's auction of "English Literature, History, Children’s Books & Illustrations" on December 12.

The manuscript was Lot 111 and had carried an estimate of £50,000 - £80,000. The final price includes a Buyer's Premium.

The manuscript had been owned by Fleming's typist, Ulrica Knowles, and had remained in her family until 2008. According to the auction, among the many revisions in the manuscript is the fact that the book's hoodlum "Dolly" Kidd is called "Boofy" Gore throughout (the name was changed following the objection of Fleming's former schoolfriend from whom the name was taken).

Diamonds Are Forever was Ian Fleming's fourth James Bond novel and was first published by Jonathan Cape on March 26, 1956.

THRILLING CITIES and THE DIAMOND SMUGGLERS getting the classic treatment in 2013

Ian Fleming's two non-Bond books Thrilling Cities and The Diamond Smugglers will be released by Vintage in 2013 with cover art that matchs their recent 007 Classics editions.

Both books are due out on April 4, 2013.

IAN FLEMING statue to be erected in Kent

This is Kent reports that a statue of James Bond author Ian Fleming will be one of three life-size steel figures that will stand alongside a wooden bench on Dover's promenade. Fleming was chosen as the third statue by the public with 45% of the vote.

The other statues are Dame Vera Lynn, English singer-songwriter and actress who sang the wartime classic The White Cliffs of Dover, and local hero Jamie Clark, who brought the Olympic Torch into Dover and was the town's first Torchbearer during the 2012 London Olympics.

Ian Fleming's third James Bond novel, Moonraker, is set largely in Kent and includes action set at the White Cliffs of Dover.