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Dear Mr Cornwell, for a long time I lost faith in reading fiction books, as there just wasn't anything I fancied looking at. Then my brother gave me one of your 'Sharpe' books for my birthday and I was hooked! I have since collected and read ALL your works (I must have read the grail quest at least 6 or 7 times now!)and I just wanted to say thank you so much for the enjoyment you have given me. Yours in anticipation of future publications, John

I signed up for the HNS Conference specifically because I read that you would be speaking. I was not disappointed. Indeed, you exceeded my expectations. I am writing to thank you for the great advice, insight, and perspective, all leavened with humor, that you provided to we fledgling scribblers. My next challenge as a writer is to apply your good counsel to my novel, which, should the gods smile, is in its absolute final rewrite. I also want to thank you purely as a reader. All your days of writing from 5AM to 5PM have brought me considerable joy and pleasure over the years. I am now having a great time getting lost in The Pale Horseman and look forward to reading the rest of your Saxon series. And one final thank you. Would you please pass on my thanks to the lovely lady you refer to as the blonde from Pennsylvania. For having lured you across the ocean, legions of readers and writers owe her our gratitude. Rick Spilman

Dear Mr Cornwell I began reading your Sharpe chronicles many years ago and used to wait anxiously for the publication of the next. Thank you for introducing me to the fascination of Peninsular War history. I live in Australia and although we have not had the pleasure of having the Sharpe series shown on TV here, I have been buying the DVDs as they are released. My favourite Sharpe books are Enemy and Waterloo. I am glad that you have your own website and that it was not necessary to trawl through Google to find you! Best wishes, Janelle Gerke.

hi just a note to say that I have also read The Whale Road by Robert Low and the start is a bit slow but it's a good book once you have got past the start! A.S

I was thrilled to see the Sword Song excerpt posted. When I saw the cover art and started reading, I first thought 'Battle of Benfleet', but I saw that Uhtred is 28, and there's 16 years between Ethandun and Benfleet. Maybe at the end of the book? Oh, well- don't hurry too much. I say 'nuts' to Starbuck; keep writing more Saxon stories! As much as I enjoyed the Arthur books, the Saxon stories feel much more grounded in a historical reality, and I think that your familiarity with Old English really comes through in the idioms. The first person narrative is fantastic.
Eric

Dear Bernard Cornwell, ***On 23 May, 2007, Alan Frantz asked some questions about your use of British vs American English language, particularly related to the use of the subjunctive. One of the examples he used was *Eadred proposed that we formed an army and marched it across the hills to capture Eoferwic.* Alan commented *I would normally expect form and march.* *You have two similar usages of past tense that seem odd to me. Perhaps they are an early English subjunctive, I don t know, I m not a language historian. Or perhaps they are a British style, and just unfamiliar to me.* *** Your response on this point was * As for the vocabulary, sorry, but I was raised and educated in Britain and so use a British English, about which I am unrepentant.* ***I think both of you are right, in different ways. From my position as an Australian, probably closer to British than American English and with some knowledge of linguistics, grammar and teaching English language, I think this is an issue of formal and informal usage, rather than British or American language use. ***The use of the subjunctive has pretty much died out in informal English (I am one of the few people I know who uses it). It is also dying out in formal (including written) English. I dont know enough to comment on the use of the subjunctive, if it existed, in Anglo-Saxon. Perhaps I should get back to Chaucer, who was later, but retained some of the structures. ***The subjunctive, as we have it now in English, may have been one of the consequences of the codification of English grammar according to Latin, rather than native English rules in the 17th and 18th centuries. ***So I think it is appropriate for Bernard Cornwell to use a non-subjunctive construction in British English in an Anglo-Saxon saga and popular novel, and equally appropriate for a reader to identify this as a possible aberration from formal grammar. This is particularly so if, as I suspect, Alan Frantz has learnt English formally, as a non-native speaker. ***I hope this is of some help and/or interest to both of you and I apologise if my comments are either wrong or cause offence, or seem totally prattish. Elizabeth, Canberra, Australia

Mr. Cornwell, I must admit I'm an avid fan of your work. It has inspired me in a lot of ways, and for that I thank you. Throughout life, we have to fight to survive. For only a warrior, whether wielding a sword or a pen, can pursue free will, which is our only right given at birth. I have been through a lot, grew up faster than a speeding bullet, and I'm only 24. I recognize my eternal wisdom, and sheer will and love for life in your characters. Your work grabs a heart and entertains the mind through your vivid depictions of well planned characters. I'm honored to say you're one of my favorite authors in this lifetime. :) Stay positive, keep dreaming and take care of yourself. Thank you kindly, Senko Redzic : P.S. I must insist!!! I have a quick question! What is your fascination/connection with clubbed feet? :) Senko Redzic

Mr. Cornwell, I wanted to take a minute to express what a wonderful author I think you are! I am a 31 year old female, who last month was looking to find a novel set in the medieval/renaissance times. Being a member of SCA (www.sca.org) this time period is very interesting to me, and as I was headed on a road trip with time to read, I wanted to find a book that took me on a historical timetravel as well. I have to say that as I entered the local library, I had little time to find a book and hit the bookshelves as soon as I entered. As I started to look at the titles on the shelves, I noticed "Heretic" and was intrigued by the title and read the cover. I passed it on to look a bit further, but as I was looking, my mind kept going back to "Heretic", so I went back and took that book with me on my trip. I cannot say how glad I am that I did! I was hooked by that book. I could hardly put the it down, and after I finished the book, I wanted more... To my delight, I find that there is more about the story of Thomas of Hookton, but that I had started with the last book of the series! Well, I am now better informed and have corrected the mistake and am now in the middle of reading "The Archer's Tale" and I love this book as much as the first one I read! I cannot express how delighted I am to have discovered your books (one of the best "accidents" I have had!) and I can't wait to read more! Sincerely, Krista

Hi just to say that I have read most of your books and thought that they are great.please keep up the good work. Adam Shanks

Dear Sir, I have been a huge fan of your work for many years now and have just finished reading Lords of the North (In two days!) - I would like to thank you for writing, not only this novel, but also the huge selection of other books. The characters and stories are amazing and I have spent many wonderful hours reading them. I wish you many more years of writing and look forward to reading more of you books in the future. Regards & Best Wishes Paul Turner (Glasgow)