Keeping the legacy (& profits) of Wilbur Smith alive: Movie from one book 'in development'

Can you make money after you die, and what is the best way to go about it?

It's a question that can certainly be answered by Kevin Conroy Scott who happens to be the literary agent of the late, best-selling author Wilbur Smith.

The writer, who was born in then-Northern Rhodesia in 1933, specialised in historical fiction centred in Southern Africa spanning four centuries.

Smith died in Cape Town in November 2021 at the age of 88, but his legacy is being kept very much alive.

Bruce Whitfield gets some insight into how it's done from Scott, the co-founder of Tibor Jones & Associates.

Wilbur Smith has now sold more than 140 million copies across fifty books, Scott notes.

"He was - still is, a fantastic writer whose fans loved him and collected him in hardband."

"One of his fans even had his coffin filled with Wilbur's books! That's the kind of love and loyalty he instilled in his fans. It's a really remarkable legacy."

Kevin Conroy Scott, Co-founder - Tibor Jones & Associates

Scott relates how the novelist initially resisted thes idea of keeping this remarkable legacy alive beyond his lifetime.

When the agent suggested working with co-authors, Smith responded with 'over my dead body'.

"He didn't like the idea of it at all because he was very much his own man."

Kevin Conroy Scott, Co-founder - Tibor Jones & Associates

The clincher was when fans shifted on to Facebook, where they came up with suggestions for the writer.

"He said, 'I don't have the time to write all this'... and then worked very hard to create a storybook and then handpick co-authors to work with."

"He'd finished a number of the books when he passed away."

Kevin Conroy Scott, Co-founder - Tibor Jones & Associates

Part of the work in keeping Smith's legacy alive is the creation of a production company to make films of his books, Scott says.

"We need to introduce new people... and also satisfy the fans that have always wanted to see his work up on the silver screen."

"I think South Africa and the continent of Africa is ready to have those stories told... They've exhausted the Marvel franchise and all these different stories told about America..."

Kevin Conroy Scott, Co-founder - Tibor Jones & Associates

Fans of Wilbur Smith will be excited to hear that one project is already in development.

The company is focusing first on 'Blue Horizon', the beginning of the first Courtney trilogy and a prequel to 'When the Lion Feeds'.