Raymond Benson's Biography

RAYMOND BENSON. Between 1996 and 2002, Raymond was commissioned by the James Bond literary copyright holders to take over writing the 007 novels. In total he penned and published worldwide six original 007 novels (including ZERO MINUS TEN, NEVER DREAM OF DYING, THE MAN WITH THE RED TATTOO), three film novelizations, and three short stories. His book THE JAMES BOND BEDSIDE COMPANION, an encyclopedic work on the 007 phenomenon, was first published in 1984 and was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award by Mystery Writers of America for Best Biographical/Critical Work.

Using the pseudonym “David Michaels,” Raymond is also the author of the NY Times best-selling books TOM CLANCY’S SPLINTER CELL and its sequel TOM CLANCY’S SPLINTER CELL—OPERATION BARRACUDA.

Raymond’s recent original suspense novels are EVIL HOURS, FACE BLIND, and SWEETIE’S DIAMONDS (the latter won the Readers’ Choice Award for Best Thriller of 2006 at the Love is Murder Conference for Authors, Readers and Publishers).

A HARD DAY’S DEATH, the first in a series of “rock ‘n’ roll thrillers,” and the novelization of the popular videogame, METAL GEAR SOLID, were published in 2008. THE UNION TRILOGY, an anthology of some of his 007 work, was published in October 2008.

March 2009 will see the second Spike Berenger "Rock 'n' Roll Hit," DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE. Additionally, METAL GEAR SOLID 2--SONS OF LIBERTY will appear later in '09.

Raymond is also a film historian. He teaches Film History at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and leads a popular monthly cinema discussion program with DAILY HERALD film critic Dann Gire entitled "Dann and Raymond's Movie Club" in Schaumburg, Illinois.  He also is a regular contributor to CINEMA RETRO Magazine.

And if that wasn't enough, Raymond plays piano at bars, restaurants, parties, and anywhere else that will have him!