markoconnellwriter

'One white dot made up of all the colours of the rainbow and then another shimmy across a black background, vying for consequence as they vanish screen-right...' Welcome to BOND, QUEER BOND - THE FABULOUS OTHER HISTORY OF A SPY! Blending historical insight with new explorations, interviews, and observations, my newest adventure examines the fascinating gay forces behind the openly straight 007 - and the original, intriguing and illuminating story of the LGBTQ talents, creatives, politics, beats and personalities that have fantastically shaped the James Bond phenomenon in all its forms. From the vibrant Bond lyricist who created a genre, the hellraising artist who designed Bond, the film editor who gave 007 momentum, the quiet musician who became a gay icon, the vital advocacy of a publishing editor, how the AIDS crisis saw the Bond project step up before any government did, the drag celebration of 007, the fashion houses, closeted Cold War espionage, why Oscar Wilde was instrumental, how author Ian Fleming was ahead of the culture-war curve, and much more. And joining BOND, QUEER BOND to tell this fabulous other history of a spy are guest contributions and brilliant new insight from the likes of Barbara Broccoli, David Arnold, Mark Gatiss, Putter Smith, David Walliams, Peaches Christ, John Glen, Ann Magnuson, Jon Lys Turner, Miss X, Timmy Spence, Jany Temime, Maud Adams, Daniel Nicoletta, Michael Varrati, and many more. BOND, QUEER BOND - THE FABULOUS OTHER HISTORY OF A SPY is not just the fascinating story about how LGBTQ creativity, temperaments, battles, and voices stretched into Bond from the gay map pins of San Francisco, London, New York, Paris, and beyond. It is also a rich chronicle of rainbow artistry, fortitude and visibility featuring Commander alongside some of the most iconic names, trailblazers and pivotal beats of all LGBTQ history. BOND, QUEER BOND - THE FABULOUS OTHER HISTORY OF A SPY by Mark O'Connell The History Press Published 14 May 2026 | RRP £22 | Hardback For more insight and to pre-order: /bond-queer-bond/ #BondQueerBond #JamesBond #MarkOConnell #IanFleming #LGBTQ #queer @thehistorypressuk

BRITAIN. QUEER BRITAIN. It is this bullet catcher's absolute and wholly proud honour to announce the UK's national LGBTQ hub @queerbritain is hosting a special MEET THE AUTHOR book event showcasing BOND, QUEER BOND! On Saturday 30 May in London, I will share insight and stories from the book, take questions, illuminate more of its unique world, and sign on-sale copies. And it will be great to see as many pals, allies and fellow Bond agents on the day. As the world’s eyes look to the next 007, BOND, QUEER BOND - THE FABULOUS OTHER HISTORY OF A SPY blends historical insight with new observations and interviews. It is an original, warm-witted and illuminating chronicle about the queer talents, beats and personalities that have shaped the James Bond phenomenon in all its forms, showcasing a 007 history few know exists. Since its launch in 2018, QUEER BRITAIN has become the UK's national hub for LGBTQ+ history, exhibitions, presentations, installations and celebration. Its sweep and advocacy of queer social history is vast, as is the warm welcome for all at its somewhat lush London address. MEET THE AUTHOR | QUEER BRITAIN Mark O'Connell & BOND, QUEER BOND Saturday 30 May | 1430 | £15 & Pay What You Can 2 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH For tickets: /event/33536/meet-the-author-mark-oconnell-bond-queer-bond-the-fabulous-other-history-of-a-spy All tickets include admission to the Queer Britain Museum - before or after the event, so you can explore the newly renovated exhibitions and space. #BondQueerBond #QueerBritain #JamesBond #MarkOConnell #TheHistoryPress #LGBTQ #queerlit #MeettheAuthor @TheHistoryPressUK

Welcome to a Double-O show of 007 related missions, interviews, curios and insight from the author, film journalist and pop-culture commentator Mark O'Connell (CATCHING BULLETS - MEMOIRS OF A BOND FAN, WATCHING SKIES - STAR WARS, SPIELBERG AND US). The best video-store for CATCHING BULLETS' film treats, insights and interviews is on the YouTube channel. Just subscribe for Bond intrigue, reflection and fun... /@CatchingBulletsJamesBond ?sub_confirmation=1 #JamesBond #IanFleming #Bond26 #SeanConnery #GeorgeLazenby #RogerMoore #TimothyDalton #PierceBrosnan #DanielCraig #MarkOConnell #CatchingBullets

MEET THE AUTHOR - MARK O'CONNELL and BOND, QUEER BOND QUEER BRITAIN | Saturday May 30 2026 | 1430 As Britain's leading king of pop-culture and adventure, the openly straight James Bond has dominated movie screens and literary shelves for over eight decades. However, the books and subsequent films have always been way more diverse minded than some think. James Bond himself might well be a 24-carat heterosexual, but a rich cast of queer creatives, artists and historical frameworks helped forge the artistry and creative decisions of Commander Bond, his design, music, celebration, branding, and history. In new book BOND, QUEER BOND, author and Bond commentator Mark O'Connell explores the LGBTQ forces behind 007 and their vital inputs in shaping a global icon. On Saturday 30 May at QUEER BRITAIN, join Mark O'Connell in conversation with Matthew Field (SPY OCTANE, DARKER THAN THE SUN, SOME KIND OF HERO) to explore more about James Bond's fabulous other history. Books will be on sale for signing. MEET THE AUTHOR with Mark O'Connell and BOND, QUEER BOND QUEER BRITAIN | 1430 | 2 Granary Square, London, N1C 4BH £15 | pay what you can /event/33536/meet-the-author-mark-oconnell-bond-queer-bond-the-fabulous-other-history-of-a-spy #BondQueerBond #MarkOConnell #JamesBond #LGBTQ #queer #QueerBritain

"Call it professional courtesy." Happy Birthday to the 005th man, Mr. Pierce Brosnan and - as BOND, QUEER BOND chronicles - a spy that cared and cares. #PierceBrosnan #JamesBond #GoldenEye #TomorrowNeverDies #DieAnotherDay #TheWorldisNotEnough #BondQueerBond @piercebrosnanofficial

'Are these pictures live?' - GOLDENEYE / 1995 In quite the week for this bullet catcher, I will be live on CNN tonight talking all things new Bond and all things next Bond with presenter Isa Soares from 1945 / BST. #CNN #JamesBond #Bond26 #AmazonMGMStudios #NewJamesBond #IsaSoares @CNN

'As the world’s goldeneyes wait for the white smoke to rise from a Pinewood Studios chimney confirming the movie gods have finally anointed a new James Bond, and – more crucially – as diversity and LGBTQ visibilities and rights are being thrown under a political bus by bovine forces desperate for othering and distracting headlines – 007 is not just an iconic knight of British popular culture. He is a quiet defender and product of many a queer realm too.' Thanks to premiere London listings mag QX and the team for the feature on BOND, QUEER BOND and its place in both London and queer life! 'Maybe Bond, Queer Bond is a reaction too – a warm-spirited and welcoming counterpulse looking at the LGBTQ history of an openly straight pop-cultural phenomenon at a time when franchise heroes are distractions and pawns in culture wars that need not exist.' SHAKEN, STIRRED AND FABULOUS – Bond is Back Like Never Before: /2026/05/shaken-stirred-and-fabulous-bond-is-back-like-never-before/ QX Magazine #QXMagazine #BondQueerBond #JamesBond #London #TheHistoryPress @qxmagazine

Queers!! And a shaken and stirred celebration here on publication day for BOND, QUEER BOND! From husbands to parents to publishers to pals, agents, designers, guest stars, photographers, nudging wingmen, and layout gurus to the growing tally of supportive and wholly positive platforms, journalists, readers and reviewers... it takes more than one village to raise a book. As this gamechanging project finally fires at the world and enhances the world and perceptions of James Bond, this fabulous other bullet catcher is beyond proud, beyond excited and beyond happy BOND, QUEER BOND is finally loaded into 007's velvet gunbarrel. xx #BondQueerBond #JamesBond #TheHistoryPress #queer #Bond26

DAY, PUBLICATION DAY! ‘Brilliantly researched, lovingly written, a wonderful behind the scenes look at some of the magnificent unsung queer artists who worked on the iconic franchise.’ TOM ROB SMITH (LONDON SPY, AMERICAN CRIME STORY) 'Not only entertaining, but informative in the Bond-bastic style that O’Connell delivers and only 007 could inspire!' THE BOND EXPERIENCE ★★★★★ 'Meticulously researched.' BEAR WORLD MAGAZINE 'A thrilling, eye-opening read. Loved it!' QUEERTY 'A razor-sharp dive into Bond's hidden legacy - where empire, identity and desire collide in a single icon'. THUNDERBALLS 'He brilliantly decodes a giant cast of queers who gave the straight-shooting James Bond eternal fame.' MARK TREVORROW This has been a long time coming for this bullet catcher, and the vibrant culmination of a great many contributors, artists, and insights to create a fabulous and wholly unique other history of 007. Welcome to the world, intrigue and adventure of BOND, QUEER BOND! BOND, QUEER BOND - THE FABULOUS OTHER HISTORY OF A SPY by Mark O'Connell The History Press OUT NOW | Hardback | £22 To order: https://lnk.to/BondQueerBond Original Cover Art by Michael Wertz #BondQueerBond #MarkOConnell #JamesBond #TheHistoryPress #LGBTQ #IanFleming #Bond26 #MichaelWertz

DAY, PUBLICATION DAY! As a Bond kid who grew up with Bond in my family and on my TV, to be able to go on a new 007 literary adventure has been a total gift. To be able then to write a rich, unique and vivid chronicle of the queer history, queer artistry and queer texture in that Bond world has been an often profound and exciting privilege. From the gay geo-pins of San Francisco, Paris, London, Provincetown, Berlin, Fire Island and New York via Jamaica, Soho, Los Angeles, Moscow, Pinewood Studios and the personal insights of a glittering cast list of Bond and queer icons, BOND, QUEER BOND also represents the fabulous other journey of an author. Today, this bullet catcher is proud to say BOND, QUEER BOND finally revs that DB5 engine and fires its unique stories and velvet bullets at the world! Available from all stockists: https://lnk.to/BondQueerBond #BondQueerBond #JamesBond #TheHistoryPress #summerreads #LGBTQ

It's World Cocktail Day!! I wonder what a 'Bond, Queer Bond' cocktail would consist of? Am open to offers, but perhaps one shot of Belvedere Vodka and two fingers of Sipsmiths gin to begin with (and to keep it Bond real) as the foundation liquor... maybe some Dubonnet for its retro notes and book cover colour, crushed ice made from a henchman's tears, a twist of an international orange (the official colour of the Golden Gate Bridge), a fingering of gold flakes soaked in 1985 Bollinger... all shaken, stirred and shaken again before being poured into a vintage Soviet cocktail glass chilled to 0° and whose rim has been liberally dipped in Jamaican coconut fused with dried chopped olives...and all finished off with a FOR YOUR EYES ONLY poolside umbrella. Best served with a friend. Or two. Have I just created mixologist heresy?!? It will be a brave agent at the bar who accepts that challenge, but as it is publication day tomorrow and always time for a cocktail, I feel Bond brave... #BondQueerBond #WorldCocktailDay #JamesBond