"Characteristic Ambition": Ian Fleming Publications

I've been thinking lately (always dangerous) about my writing and ambition. I stress I'm not big headed or whatever, I know my writing has limitations and has faults. Since I was a child, I've written stories and by my late 20s was somehow able to churn out 'novel' length stories via these November writing months and whatever.

Lately, I was thinking about going back to university and see one in London does a writing course that has spawned a few published authors. If I had the money, the time and the virus had ebbed, it's not laid in print that success is guaranteed (I would consider a book published success, never mind any money).

So, the point is, as Fields will attest, the idea has gathered momentum that in lockdown I'm thinking once April is done, in turning my attention to a Bond book. I think of the much missed Sissilius from the old forum (I say much missed, as I have no idea his real name nor where he is) and his words in one of my fanfic threads that apparently I was wasted writing fanfic and should turn to serious fare, and he was right.

I was going to post this in the Literary Bond section but figure we'll keep it here. The concern to me is that it is a fanfic I'll essentially write but then is that not the case with say Horowitz and Higson? Or dare I suggest certain directors with certain franchises?

So I had a quick look at the IFP website. Their FAQ has one section concerning books. The FAQ simply says: "How can I get my James Bond novel published?"

Answer:

Quote :

James Bond novels and short stories can only be published under licence from Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. Unsolicited material is not accepted and it is company policy to return any such material unread.

So it's a thought perhaps.

A literary agent would be able to reach out to them with your manuscript, surely. But you're probably better off establishing your name and style in non-Bond material before approaching IFP, no?

Sissilius. One of KTBEU's finest members. Wonder where he's at these days.

I might be best off with non-Bond initially. Unless the IFP are in a for a chuckle.