Double or Nothing
from the Girl with the Golden Pen
As teenagers, mine and my sister’s bedrooms shared a very thin wall. One of the side effects of this is that I know most of the words to songs like Goldfinger, Nobody Does it Better, and Diamonds are Forever despite not being a Bond fan. The Bond film album was played repeatedly because, while Bond might not be my thing, it is most certainly my sisters. A fact the entire world know now.
Kim has loved Bond since she first saw Pierce Brosnan dive off a dam on our TV screen aged 9 or 10. She has loved Ian Fleming since picking up a second-hand copy of From Russia with Love aged 12. I don’t know how old she was when she first voice out loud that she wanted to write a Bond novel, but I do know that dream never left her even as she got old enough to learn how improbable it was.
Last week, on August 31st and September 1st, Double or Nothing was launched, and the absurd, bonkers, far-fetched, seemingly impossible dream that she has been working so hard on since it came within reach, was released into the world in the shape a truly gorgeous hardback.
The book was launched with all the style one would expect of the Bond franchise, with two events, martini’s, fantastic clothing, incredible views over London, iconic buildings, and signing queues that lasted for hours.
Online, fans have been saying “She is one of us!” over and over since Kim’s book was first announced by the Ian Fleming Estate. They quickly realised Kims credentials and seemed thrilled to have a uber fan writing in the world of Bond. Many of these folks came to the launches and Kim fielded questions, had conversations, shared hugs, and wrote dedicated messages into people’s books. Her innate generosity and genuine excitement at where she currently finds herself seemed, to me at least, to make everyone around her happy.
Though Bond might not be my thing I know a lot about it. Kim and I share our geeky loves with each other, listening as the other talks about the fandoms we adore. When the Fleming Estate commissioned Kim to write the Double O trilogy fantasy conversations about the sort of Bond book she would write became real life conversations.Ever since we were young the only way to get Kim to come on a walk with me was to say she could tell me her stories. It became a habit we both love. For the last few years our walks together have been filled not with dream narratives but real character arcs and research.
Though these conversations have always been private, Double or Nothing was the first time a story of Kim’s was truly top secret, and our walks became filled with bad code words. I contributed small ideas here and there, but mostly I am a sounding board and happy to be so. My biggest and proudest contribution to this adventure are the photos you see here. I have been pointing a camera at Kim since I was 16 and have been longing to share these Double O portraits with the world. Now that they are finding their way onto posters and into newspapers it seemed ok to share then with you all here as well!
Over the last few years, keeping the secrets of Kim’s growing novel has been easy. I know what secrets mean in fandom and how much sweeter something you love is for not knowing the details. I wouldn’t dream of ruining that for Kim or for Bond fans waiting for her novel. What wasn’t easy was keeping my pride a secret.
On the 1st, when Double or Nothing hit bookshelves, I spent the day in Central London hunting it down. Bookshop after bookshop the pride I had been keeping a secret came out until I found myself weeping at the sight of my sister’s beautiful novel on the shelves of Forbidden Planet.
If you are in the UK, you can buy Double or Nothing wherever you buy your books, though I would personally recommend the Waterstones special edition copy. Go, buy it, and enjoy.
And, if you want more from Kims writing adventures, she has her own Substack which I highly recommend.
Nothing I have felt in my life compares to the sisterly pride I have experienced over the last few days. Watching someone I love getting to live their dream is beyond incredible. I have been giddy for days. I could not be prouder of Kim, nor more excited for her. She has earned the epic journey she is embarking on, and I cannot wait to see where it takes her.
wow beautiful pictures and lovely words. what a great and grand adventure you two have had and have to look forward too. love you loads.