Bond author Raymond Benson named `distinguished conference scholar`

08-Jul-2007 • Literary

Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, has named Raymond as the 2007 JOSEPH G. ASTMAN DISTINGUISHED CONFERENCE SCHOLAR for their Conference on "Bond, James Bond--the World of 007" to be held November 7 and 8, 2007 at the university. The award was established in 1985 in recognition of the outstanding role of the late founder of the Hofstra Cultural Center. Previous recipients of the award include such luminaries as E. L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, John Cage, Marilyn French, Lucine Amara, Tovah Feldshuh, Peter A. Quinn, Donald Spoto, Walter Isaacson, Peter Riddell, and many other scholars, historians, and artists.

The first printing of the paperback edition of SWEETIE'S DIAMONDS sold out within a week of publication! So if your local bookseller is out and you're looking for a copy, Dorchester Publishing assures us that a second printing will be in the stores in the near future.

In other news, Raymond will be playing piano at the bar in Palm Court Restaurant on Monday and Tuesday nights, from 6pm to 10pm. Check out his official website for further details.

Thanks to `Q` for the alert.