TED BELL Writer's Block the newsletter Vol 26. December 2020 |
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Welcoming in the holiday season with a nod and 'thanks' to 007. |
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How James Bond Save My Life |
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"I grew up in a small, sleepy town in Florida where the only excitement I got was when I put playing cards in the spokes of my bike so it would sound like a motorcycle when I pedaled. In my early teens, to my good fortune, I discovered Ian Fleming and his James Bond novels. I read every single book again and again and then again. Espionage, exotic locations, fast cars, cool gadgets, beautiful women, shaken Martinis...nirvana! And, when I read that Fleming wrote his novels on a gold-plated typewriter...well then, bloody alright! Combine all this with my deep-seeded love of writing and the result, a few decades later, is the Lord Alexander Hawke series. This past October we sadly lost Sir Sean Connery, who, the world over, will always be known as the "Bond, James Bond." I raise my glass to you, 007." - Ted Bell |
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My Beloved Collection of Ian Fleming Books Throughout my life, I not only read Ian Fleming's Bond books, but I bought them: First editions, second editions, with original dust jackets, or without, signed, unsigned, in European book shops, American book shops, consignment shops, and from rare book dealers. Whatever I could get my hands on. You name it. Below is a highlight of that collection. |
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Casino Royale This first Bond novel was published in London in April of 1953. This cover was actually designed by Ian Fleming. | | |
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A Fleming Septet The Spy Who Loved Me, 1962 On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1963 You Only Live Twice, 1964 Dr. No, 1958 Casino Royale, 1953 Thunderball, 1961 | | |
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Thunderball Fleming's 10th Bond novel was published in 1961 and I am happy to say that I hit the jackpot with this copy autographed by the writer himself! | | |
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A Group Bond-ing From Russia with Love was Ian Fleming's fifth novel and was published in 1957. Pictured to the left is another treasured jacket-less copy of Dr. No. To the right is a copy of Colonel Sun, A James Bond Adventure written by Kingsley Amis in 1968 after Fleming's death. | | |
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My Love of Cars--the 007 Type |
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"The Most Famous Car In The World" This 1965 Aston Martin Snow Shadow Gray- painted DB5 designed for the James Bond movies is always in my head when I write my Hawke books. This beauty sold at auction at Sotheby's in June of 2019. Winning bid? A cool $6.4 million. Only one of three surviving examples, this car lover's dream is outfitted with 13 MI6 Q Branch functions that were all seen in action in the film Goldfinger. Alas, this baby got away from me. I envy that lucky winning bidder. | | |
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My Sweet Ride... From two-wheelers kitted out with playing cards to four-wheeled Bentley's. I've always loved a sweet, fast ride. Check out my website to see my other "rides," various book talks and interviews, past newsletters, press, information about my El Dorado Entertainment production company and more. | | |
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Hawke, Lord Alex Hawke Alex Hawke made his first splash in 2003 with the publication of Hawke. Watch this space for news about my 12th Hawke thriller coming your way in 2021*. *(Note: You can even pre-order it on Amazon. Stocking stuffers, perhaps?) Be prepared to buckle up...again! But, in the interim, catch up with Lord Hawke in his other 11 novels. |
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"Hawke is...strong, shrewd, and savvy, with an aplomb not seen since James Bond. In other words, Bond, eat your heart out...there's a new spy in town." - NPR |
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From us and ours to you and yours -- Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy Holiday Season! |
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Sign up for the Writer's Block Newsletter! Psst...pass it on. |
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P.S. We hope that you have enjoyed this issue of Ted Bell's Writer's Block newsletter. To contact us: Ted@tedbell.com. To follow Ted: Facebook and YouTube. Author photos (top and bottom): Victoria de la Maza Sean Connery photo: Courtesy of Eon Productions Author photo (middle): Ted Gushue |
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