(MENAFN) Mike Craven, an award-winning crime novelist and army veteran from Carlisle, has called the task of writing a new James Bond book for young readers a "daunting responsibility." The author was invited by Ian Fleming Publications to craft a fresh story where the iconic spy mentors 12 to 13-year-olds training to become 00 agents.

Craven revealed that he has already faced pressure from Bond "purists" urging him to remain faithful to the established lore. "The legacy of this character is just astonishing," he said, emphasizing that Bond is deeply ingrained in national identity and not a figure to be altered lightly.

The character of James Bond was originally created by Ian Fleming in the 1950s and went on to inspire a globally recognized film series. Although Craven has creative freedom with the new narrative, he must respect past canon. He explained, "So any character who Ian Fleming killed off, like say Goldfinger or Blofeld, you can't resurrect."

The new title, James Bond and the Secret Agent Academy, is slated for release next summer.

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