The fourth official author of the James Bond 007 novels, Raymond Benson, joins the MIFF international jury

Raymond Benson, popular American composer, computer game designer, stage director and above all official writer of 007 novels accepts to join the MIFF international jury.

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. Raymond has also written non-Bond novels: FACE BLIND (2003) and EVIL HOURS (2004). Using the pseudonym “David Michaels,” Raymond is also the author of the NY Times best-selling books TOM CLANCY’S SPLINTER CELL (2004) and its sequel TOM CLANCY’S SPLINTER CELL—OPERATION BARRACUDA (2005). Raymond’s most recent original suspense novel is SWEETIE’S DIAMONDS, published in 2006.

In the late 1980s and first half of the 90s, Raymond worked as a computer game designer for various companies. Raymond also spent over a decade in New York City, directing numerous stage productions off-off-Broadway and composing music for other successful shows. Raymond has taught screening classes and courses in film theory at New York’s New School for Social Research, courses in "Interactive Screenwriting" at Columbia College Chicago, and currently teaches Film Studies at W. R. Harper College. Raymond is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers Inc., the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, a full member of ASCAP, and serves on the Board of Directors of The Ian Fleming Foundation.