Your Questions

Q

Dear Bernard,

When you're writing a book or series that concerns Saxons, Britons, or Northmen, how do you come up with so many names for the myriads of minor characters? I'd never be able to come up with names like Iorweth, Ligessac, Rypere, and the like by myself. Are they all lifted from historical sources, or do you construct some of them yourself?

Thank you once again,

Eric Clay

Submitted October 3, 2014

A

They’re lifted from sources – and I keep a list, adding to it whenever I come across a new name.

 

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I just finished reading my 40th "Bernard Cornwell" novel ! Moreover, I am eagerly awaiting "The Empty Throne" to be published in the US. Having a backlog of more than a dozen other titles written by you, I will have many more enjoyable years reading about Sharpe, Thomas, Campion, and Uhtred.

Now, my question is related to legacy and current aspirations in your fruitful writing career. Approaching 60 novels, and more than three decades of writing, do you have any "bucket list" items to cross off that have been sitting on the back-burner? Is there anything more you wish to accomplish as an author?

Thanks for the stories.

Best Regards,

Kyle

Submitted October 3, 2014

A

I do, but whether I’ll ever get to them? I need to finish Uhtred, I’ve promised myself at least one more Sharpe story, I’d like to go back to poor Starbuck, and how many more years do I have?

Q

I'll dispense with the fawning praise as quickly as possible as I know you've already heard it a bazillion times. You are awesome!

There...

I'm looking for a good tour guide service for the battles from the Saxon Chronicles. I've Googled & waded through a confusing mess of results & thought you may be able to offer a suggestion for a reputable tour operator.

Thanks & please come to Pensacola Florida some time...

Jeff

 

Submitted October 3, 2014

A

Oh dear, I’m afraid I don’t know of anyone who offers a tour like that, and I’m not sure it would be feasible because, apart from ethandun, the battlefields are either totally changed (built over) or their location is still unknown (Brunanburh). But you can always explore on your own? And decide for yourself where an event took place? That’s more or less what I do.

 

Q

Bernard,

I attended your session in Toronto yesterday, September 29th 2014.  It was witty, informative and as you intended slightly provocative.I do hope that poor Ethan does not experience a particularly gruesome death in your next book.  And hopefully Uhtred will not have to sacrifice another beloved canine companion. Unfortunately when you asked how I would like my copy of Waterloo inscribed, I choked.  Of course, I should have asked you to write 'fate is inexorable'. Can hardly wait to get the new Uhtred book when it becomes available and look forward to the promised sequel the following year.  At least at the moment I have Waterloo to read.

One highly subjective question.  Who do you prefer Forester's Hornblower, O'Brien's Aubrey or Fraser's Flashman?

Regards,

Dan

Submitted October 3, 2014

A

I don’t. I like them all, but in different ways. Hornblower has been an inspiration for so many writers – and TV producers! Startrek was originally pitched as ‘Hornblower in Space’! Jack Aubrey is amazingly wonderful when he’s at his best, while Flashman is inimitable. I wouldn’t want to rank them – it would be invidious

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell ,

did you catch the  Time Team program about  Bamburgh  Castle. Lots of details and interesting facts.  Much larger than I thought it was.  The program can be viewed on Youtube.

Regards,

Nicholas.

Submitted October 2, 2014

A

Thank you!  I have met the present owner of Bamburgh Castle (at the castle) and he turned out to be an incredibly nice man, so I guess I'm not going to lead a shield wall and try to take it back (especially once I learned the cost of heating the place!).

 

 

 

Q

would like to ask when "The Pagan Lord" will be translated to Spanish, It's one of my favorites novel series and I would enjoy to read it in my native language.

 

I haven't seen a lot of info about the moment in which it will be out to the market in the Spanish countries in our native language, so I would be please to know if there are some plans to bring that to the fans soon.

Felipe Bralic

Submitted October 2, 2014

A

I don't think the Spanish publisher has made plans to publish The Pagan Lord in Spanish translation at this time - sorry!

Q

As one of your fans I'd like to know if there are illustrations/maps in your new book Waterloo?  Are they all included in the Kindle version as well?

Steven Feist

Submitted October 2, 2014

A

Yes! (to both questions!)

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I am a high school student in Michigan. I own every single one of your books and I would really like to say that you are perhaps the greatest historical fiction author of all time. Every single scene that you write is more vivid and exciting than any movie. Secondly, I have a quick question. I have noticed that you have covered nearly every "well known" era of English history except for the Norman Conquests led by William the Conqueror. Do you plan to write a novel about this time period at some time? Thank you for all of the great books and I look forward to many more!

 

Sincerely,

Holden

Submitted October 2, 2014

A

Thank you!  I have thought of the Normans, but I'm not sure it will happen any time soon.

Q

Mr. Cornwell,

 

I just discovered you this year and I've been absolutely obsessed! I read the Uhtred series straight through--I could not stop. I just finished the Arthur trilogy and loved it and am very sad to see the last of Derfel. I've read 3 of 5 of the sailing books and really enjoyed them. I'm thrilled I have so many more books to read, although I feel quite guilty for neglecting the rest of the authors and books out there I've been meaning to read, but I'm having difficulty breaking away.

 

I really, really hope you will do a book event in the US when The Empty Throne comes out. I live in NYC so that seems reasonable! Also, will Waterloo be published in the US, or no?

 

One last comment--please encourage your publisher to do UNABRIDGED audio versions of your books that are available in the US! They seem to be doing so with the later Uhtred books, but none of them were available for the Arthur trilogy and it's touch and go with the other books.

 

Thank you, I hope we'll be reading a heap more for years to come!

 

Sincerely,

 

Jennifer Hinckley

Submitted September 29, 2014

A

I don't have a book tour currently planned for the USA.  But my non-fiction book Waterloo:  The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles will be published in the USA in May 2015.

Q

Hi Bernard,

I'm a big fan and have read (just about) all your books now and am on Azincourt for the third time.

 

Any news on the movie of Azincourt?

 

Am about to order your new Waterloo book too.

 

Thank you for decades of fantastic adventures, entertainment and bringing history to life!

 

Kind regards

 

Ken Morton

Glasgow

Submitted September 29, 2014

A

Sorry, I have nothing new to report.