I met Raymond Benson years ago at Glamourcon. It's your turn to meet him, too!

He is well known by James Bond fandom as an authority on all things 007. His book, The James Bond Bedside Companion, is a valuable collectible. He has served on the board of the Ian Fleming Foundation, which preserves the papers and legacy of the late creator of England's most famous action icon.

Raymond is not merely an author of Bond movie novelizations. He was chosen to pen new authorized 007 adventures. Since handling over the reins of James Bond novels to other writers, he has become a successful mystery novelist of note, as well as a columnist for Cinema Retro magazine.

Does Raymond think Bettie Page would have made a good Bond Girl? Find out by listening to my discussion with him!

As if Raymond's writing talents were not enough, he's a pianist. One day, while attending a party in Riva del Garda, Italy, he had no idea that an attendee was videotaping Raymond while entertaining the crowd with James Bond's theme music. Now, thanks you YouTube, you can join the 007 fun, too:

Raymond Benson plays James Bond




To read more about Raymond, or book him as your guest speaker or piano player, check out http://raymondbenson.com.

Herb


P.S. If you're an uber Ian Fleming aficionado, you can also catch excerpts from Raymond's 2008 presentation in Los Angeles about the James Bond phenomenon:

Part 1: Raymond Benson Presents The James Bond Phenomenon -- Fleming's 007 Beginnings (Aug 9, 2008)




Part 2: Raymond Benson Presents The James Bond Phenomenon -- Fleming's 007 Beginnings (Aug 9, 2008)

Okay, all you "007" fans! Did you miss Raymond Benson on the homepage? Well, unlike James Bond, you won't need to go on an undercover search. You can still listen to Raymond right here!