Your Questions

Q

I love how the Frisians fought alongside the Viking raiders in The Pagan Lord, as they would have. But even more that you took Uhtred and his son out to open sea again (in one of their boats, Middelniht). There is something romantic and melancholic about the sea, and I'd love to read more about it. Will we see more sailing in your new Uhtred novel (and possibly the Elizabethan series you've announced)?

All the best!
René, The Netherlands

Submitted April 28, 2014

A

There isn’t much in the next Uhtred book – a little, but so far not a lot, and I won’t know about the new book till I write it! Thank you

Q

I am a big fan and I have loved the Saxon Series. In many of the books Saxon towns are described as still having many Roman Buildings still being used so long after the empire fell. Is there evidence for so many Romano- British Buildings still being used especially in London or is it a bit of guess work?
Mark Whelan

Submitted April 28, 2014

A

The evidence is archaeological.  And contemporary evidence that laments the decay of the great buildings. Some of it is historical guess work, but all based on real evidence that the structures existed

Q

Dear Bernard,

First of all, I have to say thank you for your books. I know you hear this a lot, but, although I've been an avid reader since I was a child, I've never followed an author as much as I have your books. From the moment I picked up Sharpe's Eagle when I was 15 or so, I was hooked. In fact, and I'm sure you've heard this a lot also, your style of writing and the stories you have created have inspired me to attempt writing a book of my own. I especially like how you have tried to make myths and legends seem possible and realistic, by showing them through the eyes of people who may have lived in that era and creating realistic explanations for seemingly inexplicable things, notably in the Stonehenge and the Arthur series. In fact, I have had a strong desire for many years to use this method to bridge the divide between Irish history and mythology.

Never fear, I won't throw any ideas around here (if the sentiments expressed in the Sharpe series reflect your own opinions of lawyers, I can understand your proscription on sharing ideas).

However, you mention in the contact section that you can help with finding agents. Do you think it possible that you could provide me with some more advice? If so, I will put some of my questions here. I have read quite a bit on this, including on this website, but hearing the opinion of someone as successful as you would be a great help. I will try to be as concise as possible.

1) Is it necessary to finish the book before looking for an agent? Or is it better to scout and see if anyone is interested before completing it?

2) My idea focuses more on my native country, Ireland (the reason I think Patrick Harper is the best character ever!), however I really think it would be of interest internationally. Would it be safer/more realistic to look for an agent in Ireland, or should I approach larger international companies who support new authors, e.g. Conville and Walsh?

3) Although there are some agencies which focus on certain areas, is there any way to find out which individual agent focuses on specific areas? I wouldn't want to waste the time of the agent who works solely in fantasy, or science-fiction. Or are agents so specialised in the fields they work in?

4) When looking for feedback on my writing, who should I ask if not an agent? Of course I can ask my family and fiancée, but I think they will either be too lenient or too harsh. I have friends who are interested in the type of book I am writing (in fact one of my closest friends became so close through a shared love of the Saxon stories), but again, I fear they may be biased. What would you suggest?

I think 4 questions are more than enough. I hope you can find the time to answer them and I really look forward to hearing back from you.

Thank you in advance. I really appreciate any advice you can give and I find it amazing that you are willing to give it.

Best wishes,

Paul

Submitted April 25, 2014

A

I’m convinced that writing is a solitary vice. You begin by writing what you want to read, not what you think the market wants, so by all means show your story to friends and relatives, but the first and most important judgment is your own!  You have to trust that, even though of course it’s difficult for a beginning-author, but remember that every best-selling writer began in exactly the same place! It’s your book, your voice, your story. If you’re lucky then other people will enjoy your book! As for agents? I’m a fan of agents, they know the intricacies of publishing contracts (which, believe me, are a nightmare of legalese) and they know which publisher is best suited to a particular kind of book. As for which agent? Well, if your book is primarily about Ireland then I’d be tempted to work with an Irish agent. I suppose the problem (wrong word, probably) is that Ireland itself is a small market and to be financially successful a book needs a wider audience and the obvious one is based next door in London, but this is a situation that any good Dublin (or Cork, or whatever) agent is used to dealing with. If I were Irish (I should be so lucky) I would ask an Irish agent to read the book and hope that he or she liked it. That agent is certainly going to have a partner-agency in London, and probably in New York too. How to find a good Irish agent? I don’t know.  One way is to ask an established Irish author who their agent is (but you’re quite right, it’s no good asking someone who writes in a totally different genre). I’ve had the same (London) agent for my whole career, so I’ve never had to look beyond him which means I’m hopelessly out of touch with who’s out there, but one of the great advantages of Ireland is that it’s a tight society and, thinking of six degrees of separation, I’m sure you can find a name by asking friends and relatives!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I have just finished the Grail Quest/1356 series and must applaud you!  I was absolutely captivated by the story of Thomas Hookton and am about to read Azincourt for the second time!  I have to say that your novels are the best ones I have ever read and I pass your name as often as possible to friends and family.  Thank you for taking the time to write your stories!

I was wondering if you have any more plans for Thomas of Hookton or even any exploits of his son Hugh.  Is there a possibility of a "spin off" series?  Also, with the rise of the series Vikings would there be a possibility of a novel or series on the vikings or exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons?

Again thank you so much for writing.  Take care!
Micah

Submitted April 23, 2014

A

Right now? No chance!  Not because it isn’t a good idea, but I’m getting old and I still have other projects I want to finish. But who knows?

Q

Greeting Bernard
What are you working on for your next book. I assume both Waterloo and Empty Thorne are finished and will be  released later this year.
Cheers
Earl Tomkinson

 

Love your Sharpe books, Arthur books, etc.  I have especially enjoyed The Warrior Chronicles but have to admit I read the early part of the series and completely forgot about it.  Just got caught up by reading the 2 most recent versions.  Just curious if you have an ETA for the next one or a signup of some kind that will notify people when you publish a book as I pretty much like everything you write.
Mike O'Brien

 

Love the saxon series, just finished the Pagan Lord, any idea when the next book in this adventure will come out?
Thank you,
Phil Reed

Submitted April 23, 2014

A

The Waterloo book is done, but I am still finishing The Empty Throne which will be published in the UK in October and in the US in January 2015.

 

If you would like to sign up for AuthorTracker from HarperCollins, click on this link:  http://www.bernardcornwell.net/search/authortracker/in/1

Q

The material came bubbling up inside like a geyser or an oil gusher. It streamed up of its own accord, down my arm and out of my fountain pen in a torrent of six thousand words a day.

Novel writing is far and away the most exhausting work I know.

These are two quotes from CS Forster, ( I'm up to The Commodore) which would best describe your way of writing?
Michael Davidson

Submitted April 23, 2014

A

Neither, I think!  I don’t consider it exhausting (I volunteered). Sometimes it flows like an ‘oil gusher’, but that doesn’t happen all the time. It’s patient work of constructing a plot in which all the characters’ motivations make sense, and then enjoying the telling of the tale! It’s wonderful when it does gush, but if I relied on that I’d only have written half a dozen books. The rest of the time it’s patient and thoroughly enjoyable work!

 

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell

I believe I was 11 when I was first introduced to 'Sharpe' and now 12 years on I am still every bit of the fan. You were even so kind as to reply to one of my emails many years ago - I asked you about the order in which I had to read the series as naively I went by the order of the television series. Everything was going fine until you released 'Sharpe's Havoc' that threw a spanner into the works and I got the order mixed up again! Fear not, it remains my favourite story.

My first question though, why the 95th regiment?

I will be taking a trip to Bruges in a few weeks and have promised myself to visit Waterloo. I was hoping for a bit of advice as to anything you found particularly interesting about the battlefield today and any recommendations you might have?

You have truly influenced my interest in history sir, more so than my interest in literature. It gives me great pleasure in this sometimes mad world we live in but thanks to you and your writing it makes it all just that little bit easier.

I wish you all the best and, of course, a 'Happy Easter'.

Kind regards

Joseph Barber
23
Cardiff

Submitted April 23, 2014

A

Because they are armed with a unique weapon, and because their deployment offered more opportunity for independent action.

 

It’s a very small battlefield, so you’ll have little difficulty in seeing most of it in a fairly short space of time. The obvious places to visit are La Belle Alliance, which is close to Napoleon’s vantage point (easily walkable), then straight up the main road past la Haye Sainte (sadly not open to visitors) to the crossroads which was Wellington’s command post. I would strongly suggest walking from there to Hougoumont because it takes you along the ridge which was the left of Wellington’s position and where the attack of the Imperial Guard took place (thou sadly the landscape was changed by the construction of the horrible Lion Mound). There are plenty of good guide books, of course, and you can buy one at the site, but the best, by far, is David Buttery’s Waterloo, Battlefield Guide

Q

I remember in one of your Sharpe Novels, there was an officer by the last name Warres.  One of my favorite ports is Warres Warrior Port, interesting history here.. http://www.warre.com/section.php?id=768    was there any intentional connection here?
I greatly enjoy your books and will always look forward to reading a new one with a glass of Warres in my hand.  Thank you for all of the countless hours of adventure you have given to me, my friends and my boys through your writing!
Richard Hill

Submitted April 23, 2014

A

I’m afraid I wrote the book so long ago that I’ve long forgotten! It’s possible though!

Q

As a huge fan of the Saxon books and an English man of Danish descent believe it or not I'm really eager to know if you'll ever bring Uhtred to our TV screens? I really hope so because if it's even a fraction as good as Sharpe was then it'll be huge. Anyway, I look forward to "The Empty Throne" with as much anticipation as a kid on Christmas eve. Many thanks.
Perry Magnus Coulson

Submitted April 22, 2014

A

I would be happy to see it happen!  But I don't spend much time thinking about it.  Who knows?

Q

Dear Bernard,

Firstly, let me thank you (as no doubt others have in the past) for the great fun I've had reading the Sharpe series.  Wonderful, wonderful stuff.  I was first introduced to them by unexpectedly viewing one of Sean Bean's dramatizations while I was attending RAF Staff College.

My question, however, relates to our friends from the Gallow's Thief.  I'd really like to see that story move forward a little more.  I won't make any suggestions (having read your comments!) but so much more could be done with those characters.  Do you have any plans in that direction?

My own first novel is currently with an agent, having gone through professional editing, and is beginning the rounds of the publishers.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

All the best,

Bill Aitken

Submitted April 22, 2014

A

I had considered a sequel to Gallows Thief, but I'm not sure when (or if!) I'll get to it.  Best of luck with your novel!