Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have spent and enjoyed a lot of time reading your inspiring Saxon stories. I am a great fan of yours. No wonder my favorite subject is the vikings! A pity they don't teach us teach us about them at school. But there is one thing I really want to know, will you ever write the sixth book in the Saxon Stories? Yours Sincerely Francesco Edwards

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

It's written! Death of Kings, my next book (published in the UK end of Sept), is the sixth book of the Saxon Stories. Click on the bookpage to read an excerpt of the book.

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell. Hope you're well? I was wondering if you could help me settle a dispute? My brother and I recently watch the latest Harry potter film we then began a debate about whether there would be any sequels. My brother said that there wouldn't be as J K Rowling would refuse them but I said Warner Bros owns the rights to Harry Potter, names, places, etc and therefore can do as they wish. Could you tell if I am correct? So say if the ITV Series of Sharpe wished to do another episode where they killed Sharpe (God forbid) or if they wished to make a separate series Called "Harper" but you didn't like the idea there would be nothing you could do about it legally as you sold the rights to the film company. Is my understanding correct? I hope this all makes sense and look forward to reading your next book. Thanks for your help

Rob

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

My suspicion is that there won't be any others because, as far as I know, JK Rowling keeps a very tight rein on the use of her characters and I doubt she'd want other writers devising adventures for Harry! I don't know that, it's just a suspicion, but I think your brother is right!

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell. This might be just folly but I was wondering with character development, as many of your books are set before much study was paid to things like post traumatic stress, (I'm guessing) is coping with the confronting stress of coming battle? ie other than getting drunk beforehand. Because I couldn't imagine looking forward to the horror of a shield wall. (unless courage comes from knowing you are good at it) I don't know what took the most courage in history. I think 'going over the top' in the first world war would have been horrible or standing in a redcoat line, I don't know how they kept going, quite amazing. Almost fascinating to think where they found the courage, I know they fight for each other but still amazing courage. Sorry to droll on.

Adrian

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

Oh, droll on! It is interesting, and I tried to give Sharpe a hint of post traumatic stress . . . . .I'm not sure when fighting was at its most hellish - maybe it all is? Going over the top, certainly, but what about the cornfield at Antietam? Or the men who shattered their own teeth in agony at Towton (and presumably at every hand to hand battle), or Iwo Jima, or Kohima, or Dien Bien Phu . . . the list, like the extraordinary bravery, is endless!

Q

Dear Bernard, First, I must say that I am constantly amazed at how much I love your novels. My copies of Sharpe's Eagle, Sharpe's Enemy and Sharpe's Honour are all but worn out but since they don't publish them with the TV-show covers anymore, I fear to replace them. I was, of course, turned onto the series by the TV show as a young lad. Ironically, I am the very same age as Sharpe and suspect he was "born" very close to my own birthday. What date was Eagle first released? I must say that if you are to write more Sharpe novels, you must re-read Eagle and Gold! I suspect that you must have, because you remembered that Tom Garrard was with Sharpe at Gawlighur and thus found a way to have the 33rd's Light Company show up several day's march from where the 33rd was posted. But, you claim to be afraid to re-read them so please get over that fear, read your old works and produce your finest Sharpe book ever! We will all be eternally grateful. It would also be really cool if you re-edited those old books to include some references to the newer ones, as well as changing Sharpe's character to that depicted in Tiger through Prey. It is plainly obvious just how much Sean Bean influenced you and rightly so! Of course, that would be hugely time consuming but I can wish! I also wish that the Sharpe series would come to the big screen but maybe that will be a better fate for Thomas of Hookton? Your characters get better and better! I will admit to my failings, however. I stalled while reading both Stonehenge and Sword Song because of some treachery that you depict so well that I felt as though I was the one being stabbed in the back, so to speak. I have also not managed to dig into the Arthur books, probably because you keep publishing stories that I'm already invested in and can't stop reading. I am, however, currently reading through your works using the Kindle app on my phone. And now, since I'm completely rambling and probably both high on coffee and as sleep-deprived as anyone, I bid you adieu. Keep up the fantastic work and I hope for new Sharpe soon! (it's been a few years, so it's due!) - Paul in Washington D.C.

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

Sharpe'e Eagle was published in 1981 - so Sharpe is 30! And to celebrate HarperCollins UK is re-releasing all the Sharpe books with new covers. The first eight books in the series (Tiger, Triumph, Fortress, Trafalgar, Prey, Rifles, Havoc and Eagle) will be available on 15 September 2011. The rest will follow in 2012. Click on a book title on the Sharpe's book page to see the new covers.

Q

Hello Mister Cornwell, I am a french man and I enjoyed your saxon stories. But, since 2008, your editor in France, Michel Lafon, did not publish the fifth tome. Could you get an answer about that ? I hope so, because I want to know what happen to Uhtred.Thanks a lot for your answer. Michel Cornélis

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

I'm sorry, but from what I could learn, the French publisher does not have a plan for publication of The Burning Land in French translation.

Q

Hey Mr Cornwell I've always loved reading books set in the era similar to you're warlord chronicles and Saxon stories, but I've always found it hard to find something which hasn't already been written about, I'm just wondering if when you're writing your books how do you find an event to base it around? and does it matter if someones already written about this event?

Tom Stanway

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

Whatever event interests me! It really is as capricious as that, and I've not ever been aware of abandoning a subject because someone else has described it (at least in a novel). I suppose if a blockbuster novel appeared just before I began a book on the same subject I'd think twice, but it hasn't happened yet!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell. I have written so many times lately that I feel you must be fed up with the likes of me. So quickly this time, is Sharpe's father Gitan the gypsy in Fallen Angels. He fits. He is dark haired, cunning and brave. In 1792 Campion is 24 years old, presuming Gitan is five years older he would be the right age to flirt with the working girls in London(who would have fallen at his feet)for Sharpe to be born in 1777. You do seem to like to interweave characters from different series, i.e. Starbuck-Patrick Lassan, You mention a Green Jacketed officer who saved Rider Sandman in Gallows Thief, it must have been Sharpe. Any how. Love your books. Keep writing them. Best regards Mike Walker. Worcester.UK.

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

Nice try. Wrong, but nice.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell! I was wondering if you know how long it usually takes for your danish publisher to translate and publish your Saxon Stories books in danish in Denmark. I am asking this since I want to know if I can wait till Death of Kings is translated into danish or if I'll have to order an English book from abroad and read it instead (which I imagine would be somewhat difficult for me). I cannot seem to find the publishing dates from your previous books. Kind regards from Denmark, Frederik

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

As with other translations, it seems at least one year from the English publication is the norm. I don't know about Denmark, but I imagine at least a year before it might be available in Danish translation.

Q

Google book advanced search is my way of checking when words and phrases became into common usage. Background: my husband and I have been rewatching the Sharpe movies. Today, a phrase bothered my husband (he does know his military history and now can put years on the Sharpe episodes.) The phrase shooting blanks bothered him; when I looked it up, it turns out it didn't appear before 1850 and only appeared in the cartridge context four times from 1850-1900. Me? I'm searching for an older reference for the phrase that the Rose is the Queen of Flowers. Forget the attribute to the poetess Sappho; it's not there; the earliest I can find it is in Queen Elizabeth I's order of investiture. I look forward to letting your series take me back in time. Ann Peck

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

That's interesting! I know 'shooting blanks' occurred in one of the Sharpe TV movies, but I'm fairly certain I didn't use it in the books (though I can't swear to it). I don't think I've heard of the rose being the queen of flowers before, but if I come across any references I'll pass it on. Thank you

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell. What made you change your mind about writing another Thomas of Hookton book? You have always replied to enquiries that you thought that his story was done and that there would be no more. (I hope you realise that you will have probably raised the hopes of Starbuck fans now!)Did writing Azincourt stir your interest in Thomas again? Many thanks and I am looking forward to Death of Kings. Many thanks, Tony

Submitted August 30, 2011

A

I think it was a continued fascination with the battle of Poitiers, which occurs shortly after the last of the Thomas of Hookton books - so he's an obvious character to use, but I had problems about finding something for him to do in the new book which (I hope) are solved!