Your Questions

Dear Mr. Cornwell,

I could never thank you enough for introducing me to my own love for history since I began reading your books almost 15 years ago.  If only I'd begun reading your novels in my formative years, I'd have made for a much better student!

I'm sure you already have a long queue of what you intend on writing in years to come, and that's extremely exciting! But have you ever given serious thought to covering The Roman Empire, The Mongols, or the Ottoman/Byzantine empires in future works?

I can only imagine the incredible color your narrative could bring to one of these time periods!!  The very idea of you weaving a tale around the pre and post Genghis Kahn era is just exhilarating to me. I'm sure so many others would concur!!

Something on the Spanish conquest of the new world in the 14th century would be thrilling as well.

Lastly, I can't imagine a time when I can no longer look forward to a new Cornwell novel, so please eat your vegetables and be healthy!! The world needs you sir!

With my utmost respect and admiration,
Matthew B. Maysonet

How do you pronounce Uhtred?
Debbie

Hello Sir,

Big fan of your work.  Thank you for your books.  A year or 2 ago it seemed that you were hinting at a book either about, or taking place during the reign of, Elizabeth I.  I suppose you then got distracted by 1356 (great read, by the way), then Waterloo and Pagan Lord, and now your next Saxon book.  Will you be revisiting this Tudor-era tale any time soon?
Thank you and best regards,
Will P.

In a recent interview you mentioned the book "The Face of Battle" by John Keegan. I got a copy and realised you've covered 2 of the 3 battles in it - Agincout and Waterloo. Any plans to cover the Somme sometime? If anyone can pull that one off well it would be you.

Tim Hodkinson

In a recent interview you mentioned the book "The Face of Battle" by John Keegan. I got a copy and realised you've covered 2 of the 3 battles in it - Agincout and Waterloo. Any plans to cover the Somme sometime? If anyone can pull that one off well it would be you.
Tim Hodkinson

Hi Bernard,

I think all your readers would agree that you are the best man to write a credible, realistic story about Robin Hood !
Ben

As an aspiring short story writer and a fan of your work, I was wondering if you have any advice or tips to help me progress.
Chris Platt

Mr. Cornwell,

Last week I discovered The Pagan Lord at my local library and couldn't put it down. I read a great deal and lately, I've not been able to find anything that satisfies me. However, your books have thoroughly hit the spot and I cannot put them down. After I finished The Pagan Lord, I read all the Arthur Books and can't wait to start at the beginning of the Saxon Stories. Thank you for your wonderful work and I know I will be lost again once I've finished them all. Can you recommend a few authors for me to turn to once I've finished the Saxon Stories? I also love both JRR Tolkien and George RR Martin, so anything along those lines would be great.

Also, from your responses in the question portion of your website, I know that you do a great deal of research before you write a novel. Is Derfel a historical figure?

Sincerely,
Mary Beth Martin

Dear Mr. Cornwell.

(Yes, it's me again; I promise I won't bother you again for some time!) I just finished SHARPE'S STORY last night, and, thinking about the frustrations you expressed in that book, I wondered if you had ever considered doing "revised editions" of the Sharpe novels that would address the issues raised by their being written out of chronological order---a literary equivalent to a "director's cut" of a film. Thus, for example, Obadiah's "Says so in the scriptures" could be inserted into the Peninsular War books, and the reference to Sharpe's being in his first naval action could be removed from SHARPE'S DEVIL (one of the few things that stood out like a sore thumb). Having recently read the entire series, in chronological order and without interruption, I can unequivocally say that the revisions would not have to be extensive; considering that the books were written over so many years and out of order, the series holds together remarkably well. I know that for various reasons many authors do not care to revisit completed works, so I'm curious as to how you would feel about correcting inconsistencies or errors in the Sharpe series that inevitably resulted from its unusual genesis. If you were ever to return to Sharpe's world, it would, I would think, be an opportune time to "set the record straight" in the older works, presuming they would be re-issued in conjunction with the new ones. In today's age of social media, you could even even directly solicit input from your dedicated readers. For example, though I myself can't recall, I bet you someone out there knows exactly which of Sharpe's cheeks is scarred, and whether you were consistent! Take care, and long health to you.
Chris Nelson

Hi there,

I have two questions if that is ok?

You clearly do a lot of research for your books, where do you begin with the research, do you have a clear story in mind and you research around that or do you have a loose story idea and the research you do helps to fill in some of the blanks?

What was the first book you read and really fell in love with?

James