Your Questions

Q

I am reading all of the Sharpe books, I am up to Enemy. I loved Trafalgar, very different so far from the rest. I would of loved it if they would have made that into an episode. I was wondering why the TV series is so different from the books. In plot,people and many other details. I would of loved to see the series follow the books more closely. I think I prefer the story line in the books. I am very glad that Sean was chosen after Mcgann(sp?)though. Besides the hair color, Sean as Sharpe is about as perfect casting as you could ever get. Did you have any input in the choice of actors for the TV series? I love your books and your talent is brilliant. Looking forward to more books. Thanks Renee

A

I had no input - none at all, which is a good thing because I'd be horrible at casting.


Q

Dear Bernard, I was standing with my wife at the airport a few years ago, while she was deciding which book to buy for her "holiday read". I couldn't find anything for myself, so she handed me a copy of Havoc and said "you like Sharpe, don't you". Well, this started me off, and I've now read all your books! I have them all neatly arranged in the bookcase at home. I have purchased them all in paperback apart from your latest Sharpe book (Fury) which you very kindly signed form me in Lincoln. However, to my question.... When is The Lords of the North due out in paperback? This may sound petty, but a hardback copy would look out of place in my collection, and if it doesn't come out soon I'll have to buy it once in hardback to read and then again in paperback for the bookcase!! I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regrads, Andrew Wright. PS. Are there any plans to bring back the wonderful Thomas of Hookton? Andrew Wright

A

The Lords of the North will be released in paperback in the UK on 5 February 2007. I never say never, but I do think Thomas's story has reached a natural conclusion - though I have an idea for a sequel so, who knows, it might happen?


Q

I was wondering if you were going to write a novel on Will Skeat. He is my favorite character and would love to read a story where he is the star instead of the co-star. I'm a big fan and can not wait to read anything you have read.
Wes Minkley

A

I liked Will Skeat too, but no plans for a novel for him, sorry!


Q

Dear Bernard, I noticed you put good comments on a book called gods of war and the other books of that series.Personally I love Roman history because of all the characters that are analysed so i was wondering if you were writing any books about rome's empire because it would be a shame if you didn't.
Jon Daniel

A

Sorry Jon, no plans for it at this time.


Q

Greetings, I have been an avid fan of yours for some time.I have all of your "Sharp" and "Starbuck"series along with most of your other novels. I really enjoyed "Gallows Thief" and have been anxiously awaiting a sequel. Is there one coming? I am a friend of George Jepson, formally of Tallships Books and thru him have been able to obtain many of your signed copies. I am also the author of "The Reaper" the first in a nautical fiction series. The second in the series, "Seawolf" is due out soon. My pen name is Michael Aye. Thanks for all the hours of reading enjoyment and I remain a committed reader. Mike

A

I do have some ideas for a sequel to Gallows Thief, but it's not likely to happen any time soon. Best of luck with your books!


Q

Ihave just finished The Lords Of The North brilliant , is there anything else in the pipe line soon? Ralph Topp

I have just finished reading The Lords of the North, and it has left me hoping that the story will continue with more books. Is there any chance that this will be happening? Neil Hopwood

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have read "The Last Kingdom" and "Palehorseman" and I am now starting on your new book in the series and am enjoying it very very much. I know it just came out but I read them quite fast and was just wondering a time estimate to when you think the next one will come out I saw a "coming Soon" so I hope you're going to keep going. I truelly love them and I am going to start the Sharpe Series as well. I love how you take history but dont change and just add your way to it. it makes learning fun i think. I knew Nothing of Alfred or much about the Danes and the books have got me intrested on that topic I am studying do be a History Teacher and maybe teach at a College one day. I just wanted to say Keep it up and God Bless, Love your work Sincerely, Leonard

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I'm hooked on the Saxon Stories. I eagerly awaited the release of Lords of the North, bought it the first day it was available, and immediately devoured it. When can I expect the next in the series to be published, either in the UK or US? Best regards from an admiring fan. Richard Baer

I am completely besotted with Uhtred (my three young children may never forgive you, as they get very little of my attention when I'm in 'Uhtredland') . However, I live in Australia and it seems like such a long time since 'Lords of the North' was released here. Any idea when you will be releasing your next book (any book)? Elizabeth

Hello Mr. Cornwell. I recently purchased the 'Lords of the North' and finished it within a couple of days. Like the other Saxon chronicles, it was just a pure joy to read. I was never a big fiction or fantasy reader, but your writing has broadened my horizons. Anyway, I am sure that you will write another novel that follows up the 'Lords of the North,' because as you wrote, Uhtred will have to use Serpent Breath again. Any insights that you can give in terms of when you expect to release another Saxon story? Thanks! Sincerely, Bob

I have been enjoying the saxon books lately and wondered if you have any idea when the follow up to "the Lords of the North" might be hitting the stores? Paul Seymour

Hello Mr Cornwell. I have just finished your book The Lords of the North and really enjoyed it. Please could you tell me when your next book after this one will be published and it's title. Thank you very much. David C Duffin

I would like to tell you how much I am enjoying the Saxon Stories (Uhtred et al). I came across the first two last year and bought "The Lords of the North" in hardback (an unusual move for me, given the fact that my husband and I find most of our money goes on raising our four children!) because I could not bear to wait for the publication of the paperback, such was my desire to read some more. I don't know quite how you manage to make a Saxon/Danish warrior with all the brutality, paganism and prejudices of his age attractive to a modern woman, but you do! It is a rare thing for me to be reading a series of books as they are written (most books I come to decades after they were written and the series complete) so I would like to ask you how quickly you plan to write the Uhtred books and how many you plan to write in total (if indeed you know). You can be certain that I will be buying them all, probably, knowing my inability to wait for anything, in the hardback version! Jenny

A

We hope to have the fourth book of the Saxon stories ready for publication, in both the US and the UK, by October of this year. No title for this book yet, but I'm working on it!

I don't know how many books total for this series, perhaps six, seven, maybe more? Glad to hear you are enjoying the books!


Q

Mr. Cornwell, just to be completely redundant and annoying, is there any chance of another Starbuck novel in the near future? It has been over ten years now and I am getting pathetically impatient and whiny. Since you get asked this a lot, I guess I'm just hoping to be perverbial straw. Thanks, I truly love all your books. Rob Bedlion, Souris, ND, USA

Hello Mr Cornwell, at present I am reading your Starbuck chronicles again, and they are absolutely fantastic. I know on your website it says Starbuck is on holiday haha but I was wondering if you have any plans to begin writing any further installments in the near future because I know my friends and I would love to know what happens to Starbuck and the legion. Thankyou for your time Mr Cornwell. Daniel Allen

A

The near future? Sorry, I just can't make any promises ...


Q

hello again Mr Cornwell. I have had the stadnard made for the south essex. thanks for your help with the regiment number. can you please tell me how many soliders and officers are in the south essex? thank you. Michael Sarsfield

A

Depends . . . . . . They OUGHT to have 1000 men and around 35 to 40 officers, but in truth, on campaign, they'd be lucky to muster 600 men and 30 officers. It all depended on recruiting, casualties, sick lists. Some battalions shrank to around 400 men. If you guessed 500/30 you'd be about right.


Q

Dear Bernard, I just finished Sharpe's Siege, which was a great read. But I wonder why do you think Cornelius Killick was left out of the film version? As an American, I was especially pleased with the Sharpe-Killick "alliance."

Raymond J. Mas

A

I wish I could tell you! Don't know? Maybe because a ship would have been too expensive a prop? I suspect that's the answer. I regretted it too, because I liked Killick a lot.


Q

Greetings, Bernard, I'm old enough to use this familiarity I suspect, if not, please forgive. Welcome to the colonies and the Cape of Cod in particular. I attended a college close by and love the area. Am 1/2 way thru "Sharpe's Fury" and enjoying it immensely. As an old O'Brien fan the nautical bits entertain and bring fond memories of his creativity in the space age. Your other books are very good too. "The Economist" (on cover) calls you his direct heir and I am beginning to believe I concur. Your political intrigue is good so far, and you may develop a character similar to Dr. Maturin (sp ?) yet. There was plenty of intrigue to go around wasn't there. All these efforts to feed one's family and inform - informally - as to the reality of history, will, as they have in the past, entice some to dig deeper and appreciate what really went on. Hopefully they will be able to find an unspun history. I suspect those in our American schools these days, may not entirely satisfy that demand. How much time did you spend in Cádiz in order to become that familiar with the area? Please keep up the great work, it gets an old, brain damaged man out of the house on a cold winter's day. Sincerely, Dave Wade

A

Not nearly enough. I was suffering from cancer at the time (all gone) so I only had the energy to visit Barossa. A friend of mine (mentioned in the Historical Note) did all the research in Cadiz itself, and he did a superb job. It's not something I like doing - having someone else do the work for me, but for that book it was necessary.