Bulletin Board

Dear Mr Cornwell, In your erudite advice to budding authors, you suggest that you might have compressed the first third of The Winter King in order to spice up the action. I would like to say that, for me, you hit it just right. There are so many myths, legends and misapprehensions about that period in Britain and about Arthur in particular, that the scene needed to be set in detail before the characters were introduced. I loved the book and the trilogy as a whole. As a self-imposed exile in Thailand, with a Welsh father, Scots mother and a love of England, I dig the books out of the book case at regular and frequent intervals when I need a sense of my own history and background. The characters may not have been verified in published history, but I feel confident that the scene you set was genuine and accurate. Thanks for a fantastic work of art. I was also pleased to read recently that you were an admirer of the sadly-late George MacDonald Frasier. He is also way up there with you as far as my literary tastes are concerned. The way he mixed historical fact with fiction was masterly; very much in the same league as yourself. Finally, thank you for that advice sheet. Once I have finished scratching a living in the corporate rat-race, I may well start to write - or at least try to. By then my Thai wife and I will be ensconced in our wooden house on stilts (yet to be built) on the river bank in my wife's village of Bang Sai, about 80kms north of Bangkok. If that doesn't inspire the Muse to visit, nothing will! If you are out this way at all, give me a shout (genuine!), perhaps we can enjoy a glass of ale. Thanks for all your works and I hope to see more on the shelves of Asia Books in Bangkok. Very best wishes, Colin Airdrie

Mr Cornwell, it has been over ten years since your last Starbuck book The Bloody Ground, I have to say that I am sick of Sharpe, now don't get me wrong I like Sharpe, but in my opinion you have done it to death. While I enjoy your other novels, I wish Starbuck would make a reappearance and I hate it when people don't finish what they start. With such a rich history to draw on for Starbuck there are surely several more novels for you to write and personally I would love to see Starbuck done for TV so I look forward to more of these books hopefully in the NOT too distant future. Paul Sutcliffe West Yorkshire UK

Hi Bernard I've been a fan of your novels for years (Warlord Chronicles, Stonehenge, Grail Quest) and have written to you in the past in praise of your work. I have continually noticed you receive very regular questions regarding "is there a film series planned for Warlord"?) and know too well that that lies beyond your control. It no doubt depends on interest, funding, etc from producers, directors, and the like, not from novel authors. I would just like to add my 'repetitive' comment that of all the Arthurian-style novels I've read (many), yours stands alone. However, my greatest wish would be for an Arthurian TV series with episodes based on the events in Warlord. The recent 'Robin Hood' series (2 seasons) and the 1980s 'Robin of Sherwood' (3 seasons) have absolute diehard fans globally, despite some of the shortcomings of both series. Indeed the 'Sherwood' series had Arthurian-borrowed elements embedded within its structure. Just imagine... a three season 'Warlord Chronicles' each with a dozen or so episodes, all of it drawn from your excellent & gripping Arthurian trilogy. The characters and the plot are so well defined that producers, directors, screenwriters, actors and fans would revel in the series. I, for one, would purchase the Box Set outright. I suppose there's no chance that any of your 'Sharpe' television series contacts would be interested in grasping that sword??? I live in hope. Your Arthur is my Arthur. Cheers Bernard, Darryl

Just wanted to say how great the Sharpe books are. Ive read all of your other books and left these til last. I stupidly read Sharpes Revenge after Sharpes Honour I have no idea why. I was wondering where on Earth Jane had come from but I continued to read. Im so disappointed as Ive read all the way through only to ruin the end! Anyway, enough of my stupidity. Thanks for the great books I hope you continue to write more. Charles

I have just put down you're latest book Sword Song and felt so sad that I have again got to the end of another one of you're books. I started with Sharpe and ripped through them all. Then you opened the Grail series and I was hooked ;) .Being a longbow user They really hit a chord then when they finished a fellow re-enactor said try the Saxon era ones the battle field sequences will get you. He was right and now with them at an end I just had to come on line to see what you have in store for us .My jaw hit the ground when I saw the latest book and I am going to pre-order Azincourt .Thank you so much for sticking with the correct spelling but your eye for detail I'm guessing would not allow otherwise.Then after reading what the next book is,you heap more excitement with the news that the one after that will be the next Saxon novel. To think I had come to plead for a further outing of Thomas Of Hookton. NOT that I would not dearly love to read more of the fellow archer. Thank you for so many hours of entertaining stories. PS.. Note to you're agent .Films ..films..FILMS ! Sharpe was ok on TV but Mr Cornwell's battle sequences scream for the big screen, and King Alfred wishes it so . PPS.. Have you ever thought of a series set during that most up and down periods of time. The War of the Roses. There are so many characters in it right up your street.
Mike Parker

Hi there Mr Cornwell, Well what can I say, I've found an author I just love to read. I bought a book with both Harlequin and Vagabond in it and so I then finished off the Grail Quest with Heretic. Then I tried a Sharpe book, Sharpe's Gold, a real treat of an "adventure" novel. Now I'm flying through the series that starts with The Last Kingdom. Amazing writing, brilliant. And the thing is as an Australian I feel a connection with the books almost. I know there are fictional characters, but actual historical figures too that shaped the UK. It's not much, but my ancestor's were Normans that helped invade England with William the Conqueror, and eventually settled in Ireland. Reading these books warms my heart and makes me feel like I really do come from a certain region, well originally. My parents live in Qatar, they moved their last year. I am 22, but I do miss them very much, but I find comfort in your books. As an Anglo Australian I find that identifying who you are can be difficult, and where your loyalty should lie. Anyway, enough about me. I love your books, please keep it up. Adam Nugent

Just a brief message... I wouldn't ordinarily go to the trouble of troubling a writer but I wanted to say that I've enjoyed your Arthurian and subsequently your Sharpe series immensely. What really moved me to send you an email was when I read more about your 'philosophy' on writing - it really struck a chord with my own thoughts on the subject and inspired me to get my arse moving on my own writing. That and I hope it will get me out of this law office (lawyers huh?) Anyway, just thought it was worth mentioning that I've really appreciated the effort you've made to reflect on your own experiences with writing. Tim

Dear Mr Cornwell - re Mark posted 17/09, I too love everything written by you, but I was saddened and upset to read Mark say he didn't want you to write anymore Sharpe stories but to write more for his favourite series. We each have our own personal favourites, Sharpe/Harper and the Chosen men are mine and I cannot help but hope that one day you will have another fascinating escapade for Sharpe and the lads to slot into the series. If the spirit moves you - why not? Thank you for all the great stories and images you have created. Kind regards S

Dear Mr Cornwell, As a child I was never a 'strong' reader, I believe it came from having to stand up in the classroom and read out loud, however, having now retired (55) and moved to live in Southern Spain my situation has changed. Thanks to your incredible books I have discovered just what I have been missing all these years. I have now read most, if not all of your works from Stonehenge to Arthur, from Uhtred to Thomas and of course my favourite, Richard Sharpe. I am currently reading Richard Sharpe's exploits again and hope to visit some of the battle grounds and siege towns very soon. I have never enjoyed history so much. I thank you most sincerely. Peter Stott

I have just started reading your Saxon books and read three in one week. Now I shall buy the fourth. Then I'll buy and read the Arthur series, etc. I'm descended from such warriors as Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, Somerled, Achilles, Mark Antony, King David of Israel, so this 64 year old retired librarian is thrilled by your writing! I will buy and read all your books. I love your Uhtred character; he's such a warrior. Please take very good care of yourself for at least the next twenty years. Now I have your books to savour when I'm not working my horses. Cheers and many thanks for your gift to bloodthirsty, old librarians! Rosemary Cameron