Your Questions

Recently I read one of your Starbuck books about the Civil War. It was wonderful how you made General George Maclellan come to life for me. I have read so many contemporary accounts about him but could never rally fathom the man and his personality. Your account of his interaction with Pinkerton and how he took counsel of his fears rang true. He must of had many sources of information but somehow always believed his huge Army was outnumbered and needed reinforcement. He dithered when decisive action could have brought victory or at the least heavily attrited the Army of Northern Virgina. Did george Maclellan really che tobacco? It seems so unlike this fastidious man. I would be interested in a similar fictional portrayal by you of US Grant. I see him as someone who had no fear about his army's destruction by the enemy. Bob Long

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I been a long time fan of all your books especially the Sharpe's series. Just wondering are you going to write more stories about Sharpe and Harper adventures after Sharpe's Devil? Thanks for your time and cannot wait for your next book. Gordon Davies Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Dear Mr Cornwell. May I first start, if I may, by wishing you a happy new year and hope you had a Merry Christmas. It might sound odd, but the thing that attracted me to your Sharpe books was the firearms. That's sort of my thing. My passion though are black powder firearms. My question, if I may trouble you is: In Sharpe's Sword. Where Sgt. Harper is looking through the warehouse on page 202 for a sword to replace Sharpe's broken P1796, he finds a new rifle. Your book states that the rifle was new and made in carbine bore. Harper didn't want the new rifle because it would be hard to get a decent supply of ammunition. I may be wrong about this so please forgive me. I referred to my copy of 'British Military Flintlock Rifles 1740-1840' by De Witt Bailey. In this book it stats that the Pattern 1800 Baker rifles were made in carbine bore, so was the P1805. The only rifle made in musket bore were the P1810 Baker rifle. The P1810 Baker was only made in limited numbers though. Wouldn't the Baker rifles issued to Sharpe's lads already be in carbine bore? Please don't take this as criticism, I don't mean to offend. It was just something I was hoping you could clear up for my simple mind. :-) P.S. Sorry to go on but out of interest. For research, have you ever sent a couple of rounds down range with a Baker rifle or India Pattern musket? Maybe just to get a feel for it. I'm sure you've had a go with the Nock Volley Gun :-) Many Thanks for reading. Best wishes. Your fan always, Andrew.

Dear Mr. Cornwell - I was born a viking, fought my war in a small southeast asian country and now help run a hi-tech company. I've read all your novels and enjoyed them all. Yet, I've always wondered why you've never written about the times of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough. It's all there - a series of great wars (and a lot of little ones), the intrigue involved in the making and breaking of grand alliances, a commander who was never defeated. All set against a vista encompassing most of Western Europe. The technology is virtually the same as Sharpe's. The British impetus and military tactics were similar to Sharpe's time. Personally, I think it would provide a wonderful venue for a new series. Thoughts?? Thank you for your time. Best Regards, Carl Hagstrom

Are you planning a fifth book in the Nathaniel Starbuck series? Kathleen Fenning

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I would like to say thank you for the many books you have written which have kept me entertained for the past ten years or more. i must say that the TV has not looked the same since first buying The Winter King! I have read and re-read most of your books and have found the Arthur novels to be my favorite closely followed by the saxon stories. After reading The Lords of the North Iwas left hungry to know if Uhtred would ride again in 2007? or if he would ever face his uncle? I hope this e-mail finds you in good health and full of ideas! Vince Nayler

Can you advise when the next book after The Lords of the North in the Saxon Series is to be published? Jim Halbert

Dear Bernard, I've enjoyed reading your books, I look forward to nothing more than opening a bottle of wine and one of your books in hand and get lost in a different era, just wondering if there was a fourth installment of the saxon stories? Many thanks and a happy new year to you and yours, Ben Green

please give me some hope, when is the next saxon story going to be released, i really have enjoyed these books and have passed them on to the family who have also enjoyed them, but really need the next one soooooon. Vix

Hi, I have written to you before, and am very pleased with the reply. I am also an avid fan of your Saxon stories and excited to find that Lords of the North is finally out in the US (or so I hope). However, I am curious are you planning on writing any more Saxon stories? Also, if you are able to tell, are you planning any new series? If so when can we expect them to come out? Thanks always James

Dear Mr Cornwell I am a massive fan of all your work. At present i am engrossed in the Worlord chronicles, all of which I am finding a most fantastic read, and would make a fantastic movie trilogy. I also found the Saxon stories very very hard to put down and was wondering when/if there would be another instalment, the uncle needs to get what is coming to him. I hope you have the time to read this short note. Keep up the fantastic work, all the best for the new year and I look forward to your next novel Many regards Mark.

Dear Mr. Cornwell, thank you for your wonderful books, of which I own them all. My question is a simple one from an impatient fan. . . . . when's the next one? thanks Chris

Good Morning, I just have a quick question for you today. I bought your saxon stories recently and really enjoyed them, and I just wanted to know if you plan to write anymore in this story.
Peter White

Mr. Cornwell, I am writing you because I have been reading your books for some time now, and there is a lot of research involved. Myself being another writer, I am wondering where you do your research for stories and if you have ever visited the present day sights that your books are based on. Thank you for taking the time to read this. James Vest

Hallo Mr. Cornwell, I hope this letter has reached you in the best of cirmcumstances. First things first, like all people who write to you, I too love your books and especially how you write them. Like you balance them with a precision-scale. Just wonderfull! And yes, the Arthur books are most definitely the ones I love the most. Btw, did you know those books were translated in Dutch? But to continue, I have read your hints on how to start writing stories. And there lies my question. How do you start you research? And how do you write your research into your stories? And also, I read that you go on location to do your research. And there also lies my problem, my resources are limited but does this mean I still can research via the internet or is the internet a little bit "unreliable"? Also, I like to ask if you happen to like J.R.R. Tolkien and his works? And other famous historical-detective-writers like Steven Saylor, John Maddox Robberts, Robert van Gulik and Amy Myers? To finish my letter, I hope to read from you soon. Very best regards Brendy Meurisse

Dear Sir I understand that this may sound somewhat juvenile so Im merely asking you to bear with me. I share a love of historical fiction with many of your readers; I first started to read your work based on the fictional character Richard Sharpe set in Napoleonic wars. Since reading your work I have also read the majority of CS Forester stuff based on the character Horatio Hornblower. I know this may seem trivial however I was wondering if you had ever read his work, as I see some similarities in yours and Foresters writing style. I see you as literary genus and you have been an icon for me, as I am myself I young write looking to pursue a career as a Novelist. I live in Australia however I was born in Clare in Ireland. I only 17 and am currently having great difficulty acquiring a working visa although luck for me in Australia you dont need one as novelist. Ive grown up an Irish Catholic and despite living in Australia I have also been brought up in a very anti English house-hold. Your work has been in inspiration to me and it has milked that demeanor from me and for that I thank you, however Im still a big fan of Patrick Harper and his witty remarks. I have recently come across your TV series Sharpe I have to admit their was some disappointment that the early Indian years werent filmed with the exception of the first scene of Triumph in Challenge. But I guess thats just life. I look forward to you future work and once again thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New year. Regards Patrick Kelly

MR Cornwell I have studied artillery pieces from the 18th and 19th century for many years as a hobby, after reading one of your books(Sharpe's Triumph) I was shocked by your description of light guns and Dodd's dislike of them. In my studies I found that a 4-pounder could fire at least twice as far as a 9-pounder and kill twice as many people in a file( around 14-15 ) it is not until close range when case shot is used that they become more effective. I found that this pattern goes all the way to 12-pounders and that it isn't until you get the really big guns (18-24 pounders) that you get a more powerful shot. thank you for your time Joe

Dear Sir, I just happened across a book entitled "The Sharpe Companion," by Mark Adkin. Did you sanction this book? Is it worth reading? Thanks, Adam