007 Author Raymond Benson!

Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today, we’re looking into the life and work of an amazing author, Raymond Benson! He is one of my personal favorite authors and I was lucky enough to ask him a few questions!

Raymond Benson, born in 1955 in Midland, Texas, grew up fascinated by film, theater, and spy stories. After studying directing and musical theater at the University of Texas, he built a varied career in the arts, working in theater, writing about film, and even designing games like Trivial Pursuit. But his lifelong love of Ian Fleming’s James Bond would ultimately shape his legacy.

In 1996, Benson became the first American chosen by the Fleming estate to continue the James Bond novels. His debut, “Zero Minus Ten”, was followed by a run of fast-paced adventures, including “The Facts of Death”, “The Man with the Red Tattoo”, and the standout “High Time to Kill”. That novel introduced the Union, a shadowy global crime syndicate, and quickly became a favorite among fans for its sharp plotting and high-stakes drama. He also wrote several Bond short stories and film novelizations, keeping 007 alive on the page during a quieter stretch for the films.

Outside of Bond, Benson has shown his range with original works like “Evil Hours”, the “Black Stiletto” series, and thrillers such as “In the Hush of the Night”. Long before writing Bond officially, he had already established himself as an authority with “The James Bond Bedside Companion” (1984), a detailed reference book still beloved by fans. Fun fact: Benson’s creative work also stretches into music composition and video game writing, showing just how wide his storytelling reach has been.

Benson’s contribution came at a key moment, ensuring James Bond stayed relevant between cinematic eras. His novels honored Fleming’s legacy while giving readers fresh, modern stories, earning him a permanent place in the franchise’s history. Today, his Bond books remain essential reading for fans and serve as a reminder that even icons like 007 sometimes need a new voice to keep their story moving forward.

Bonus Questions:

Giancarlo: What is it about James Bond that first made you a fan of the character?

Raymond: I was nine years old when I first discovered Bond, way way back when "Goldfinger" first was in theaters. It was the glitz and glamour and action and music and women and gadgets and... well, everything about Bond that was new to people then. And Sean Connery was cool as hell.

Giancarlo: Which of your books is your personal favorite? Mine is “High Time to Kill”!

Raymond: I agree with you about "High Time to Kill." That's probably my favorite, but I'm fond of the three titles in the so-called "Union Trilogy" ("High Time to Kill," "DoubleShot," and 'Never Dream of Dying"). But all my books are like children, so it's hard to pick one as a favorite. My non-Bond novels are also among my favorites. The five books in "The Black Stiletto" serial are likely my magnum opus and my favorite thing I've ever done (it's five books that tell one big story).

Giancarlo: How does it feel to be a part of James Bond history in such a cool way?

Raymond: It's extraordinary. I'm very lucky and I don't take it for granted. I'm proud to be a part of it. The thing is I never asked for it. It was handed to me, I was asked to do it. It's a rather exclusive club to be one of the official authors, and it will likely be what I'll be remembered for when I'm gone.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is this best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Raymond Benson: I could be facetious and say, "Not to listen to advice," but that wouldn't be true. At my age I've received a lot of advice over the years, some good and some bad, and it's more about filtering the advice you get and making it work for you. What works for someone else may not be right for you. It also depends on who is giving the advice!

Check out his work: https://raymondbenson.com/

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing day and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo