James Bond and the Secret Agent Academy

Ian Fleming Publications have announced a new adventure in the James Bond literary franchise. JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY by bestselling crime writer M.W. Craven will kick-off an action-packed new series for readers aged 8-12.

JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY is the first in a brand-new series, taking the world’s most beloved secret agent to a place of dread, weirdos and strange food: school. A new generation of young heroes, mentored by 007, have entered the Secret Agent Academy to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Double O's. Together with Bond can they defeat a deadly foe lurking in the shadows – and, more importantly, can they pass their exams?

JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY will be launched in June 2026. The book will be published in paperback original, eBook and audio by Ian Fleming Publications, the in-house publishing arm of Ian Fleming Publications Ltd. 

Amanda Douglas, Managing Director at Ian Fleming Publications, says: “We are thrilled to be working with M.W. Craven on JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY. This series represents a new and imaginative chapter for 007, introducing the world’s most famous secret agent to the next generation of readers - seen for the first time through children’s eyes. It’s a fun, fast-paced adventure that remains true to the spirit of Bond, featuring a cast of original characters who get to experience Bond not just as a legend, but as their teacher. The story opens the door for younger readers to engage with the legacy and excitement of the “Bondiverse”. With this unique series, Ian Fleming Publications continues to evolve. Alongside titles licensed to other publishers, we proudly publish Ian Fleming’s iconic backlist alongside select frontlist titles. Following the success of On His Majesty’s Secret Service by Charlie Higson (2023), JAMES BOND AND THE SECRET AGENT ACADEMY becomes our second frontlist release, underscoring our long-term strategy to reimagine and lead in the spy fiction genre across generations.”

Simon Ward, Publishing Director at Ian Fleming Publications, says: “We are always looking for stories we want to read: stories that have everything we love from Ian Fleming’s legendary James Bond adventures but with new characters and new settings that Ian would approve of. This is a James Bond story unlike any other we’ve done: a world of twisted villains, extremely silly names and bizarre gadgets but with a contemporary setting and a cast of young heroes children can relate to. For this we needed an author unlike any we’ve had before: M.W. Craven is the perfect combination of fierce intelligence, nail-biting action and mischievous humour. Not only is he the perfect adult thriller writer, it turns out that he is also a born children’s author. This is a series that kids and grownups alike will love. We look forward to welcoming all new recruits.”

David Headley at the DHH Literary Agency, says: “Bringing together the gripping storytelling of M.W. Craven with the legendary world of James Bond is a brilliant step toward inspiring younger readers to pick up books. M.W. Craven’s unique voice promises to breathe new life into Bond for a younger generation, drawing children into thrilling plots filled with courage, cleverness, and laugh-out-loud moments. We hope this new Bond series will spark imaginations and foster a lifelong love of books. With M.W. Craven at the helm, the iconic spy receives a bold, fresh twist designed to engage and empower the next generation of readers. It's an exciting new chapter that will captivate young readers and lifelong fans alike.”

M.W. Craven says, “While writing a middle-grade book that features James Bond training the secret agents of tomorrow is undoubtedly an extraordinary honour, it also comes with a daunting responsibility. The challenge of introducing Ian Fleming’s Bond – a brand that has transcended books and movies to become part of our national identity – to a brand-new audience is not something to accept lightly, but after speaking with the team at Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, sharing our concerns about recent research from the National Literacy Trust in the UK showing that reading for pleasure amongst children is at a 20-year low, it wasn’t an opportunity I felt I could turn down. Yet this is not James Bond as you’ve seen him before. Expect whacky gadgets, whacky lessons, and even whackier members of staff.”

About the author

Multi-award-winning author M.W. Craven was born in Carlisle but grew up in Newcastle. He joined the army at sixteen, leaving ten years later to complete a social work degree. Seventeen years after taking up a probation officer role in Cumbria, at the rank of assistant chief officer, he became a full-time author. He is an instant Sunday Times bestseller and, for his Cumbria-set Washington Poe series, a recipient of the 2019 Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger, the 2022 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2023. The series has now been translated into thirty languages.