Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, After reading through the questions and comments from other fans on the site hearing that someone like your books is nothing new, but I guess it's always nice to hear something good. So the grail quest series was brilliant! I couldn't put them down, I was up till 4 a.m. for week with them. Thank you. I have some questions about other topics I wondered if you have thought about writing. What about William Marshal? Joan of Arc? I know there are some other novels about her, but I think your take would be interesting. If she isn't your cup of tea, how about Bertrand du Guesclin? A knight among knights, his life was amazing and would make a fascinating read. And lastly how about my favorite character of all time, Robin Hood? Ever thought about adding your own arrow to his quiver and telling a story of the merry outlaws of sherwood forest? I look forward to hearing back from you. Best wishes for you and your family and I thank you for letting me take some of your time. Daniel Eastman

Submitted May 31, 2011

A

One of the above is probably in the works . . . . I am fascinated by Jeanne d'Arc as well (Juliet Barker's Conquest is fascinating on her). So yep, maybe?

Q

My sister has The Last Kingdom and The Pale Horseman books on CD, and I borrowed them for a long road trip. I'm almost done with Last Kingdom. It is riveting. I am a writer, and I am very interested in the Vikings. I have story ideas I want to pursue, but I want them to be historically accurate. What would you suggest as the best resource for factual information on the Vikings and their wars with England? Any advice is heartily welcome. Thank you.

Nathan Pollock

Submitted May 31, 2011

A

That's a hard one to answer in a short space . . . . essentially you have to read everything! Well, okay, not quite everything . . . . but you read widely and each book should lead onto others. There are so many decent books on the period, but what period do we mean? The Viking assaults on Britain stretch from the 9th to the 11th Century, I'd suggest you start with a general survey and use the bibliography to point you to other sources, and maybe the best recent one is The Hammer and the Cross by Robert Ferguson - and good luck!

Q

Good evening, Mr. Cornwell. Firstly I'd like to say that I'm a big fan of your books (I'm reading the "Grail Quest") and you are responsible for my interest in reading books. I'm almost finishing The Vagabond, and I think that next week I'll be starting The Heretic. But there's something I really would like to know and can't stop to think about that: do you intend to make a trilogy of movies ??? I think it would be awesome, because I just can imagine the battles in my mind, and in a movie it would be great to discover how would be Thomas, Jeanette and the others and to see the perfection of the battles and the places of the history as seen in the books. So, I think this is it. Congratulations for your great job, Mr. Cornwell!!

John Banks

Submitted May 31, 2011

A

No plans for a film (or films) of the Grail Quest series, but thanks!

Q

Lord,(as I should surely address you, as a Oughtred descendant)I am nearly through your Saxon books - I see happily there is still one to come. I do not have, and would not presume to present,any ideas for your novels. But I am so struck by the historical details you recount in your notes,and displayed in the stories, that I would like to be able to read your factual History of the Birth of England - delivered in the same vibrant prose. Alfred's Phoenix-like rise from a defeated gaggle of men in the marshes is so redolent of Dunkirk I'm amazed Churchill didn't allude to it! I'm 83, so don't be long... Thank you for long hours of quiet enjoyment. Yours Mike

Submitted May 31, 2011

A

Well, thank you. I need to finish the fictional version first! Maybe one day I'll write a non-fiction book, but the trouble with that is that you Have to Get it Right. Oh dear.

Q

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. When you finally get around to writing your Elizabethan series, will it be from a military history perspective? Alan Kempner

Submitted May 31, 2011

A

The short answer is no. But I'm sure it will touch on that area.

Q

Hello. I am a freshman in high school and I LOVE your books! I read sword song, the fort, winter king, red coat, and now agincourt. But what I really wanted to ask was why don't you try and have a movie made from Winter king? That is my favorite so far. I am a huge history person. So I hope you have time to write back. sincerely, me

Submitted May 26, 2011

A

Thanks Dakota, but I'm not a filmmaker so it's really up to someone else to do it. Glad to know you love my books!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, First, I would like to let you know that your are by far my favourite author. I truly enjoy your books. I have read the entire Sharp Series and the Nathaniel Starbuck Chronicles. These two series are my favourites, not that I don't like your other books, its just that these two are based around one of my favourite periods in history. Secondly; yesterday, I finished reading Sharpe's Devil, after reading the entire series in chronological order, and I was thinking for a moment about Sharpe's life when i suddenly realized something! and , Please correct me if I am wrong, I realized that the french military observer, Col. Lassan, that rides back to the confederate lines with Nate in Copperhead is actually Richard and Lucille's son Patrick! This only clicked in my head because I've read the Starbuck series more than four times, so i know them back and forth. i couldn't believe it when i first realized so I checked by jumping to the end of Copperhead, and indeed, Col. Lassan's self description seems to implicate that very fact! However, I would like some confirmation, just to be sure. I know I am probably not the first to notice.

Thirdly, I know you get asked a lot so i apologize in advance for not being able to help my self, but when can we see a new Nate Starbuck book? Again, I apologize for doing something that is surely repetitive and annoying for you, it is simply that Richard and Nate are my favourite characters. Thank you for taking the time to read this and i am greatly looking forward to hearing from you. Again, thanks for all the great stories! Your loyal fan, Aaron O.

P.S. I am interested in knowing what authors you like. And, didn't mean to make this so long! Sorry! :)

Submitted May 26, 2011

A

Lassan is Sharpe's son (read more about him in 'Sharpe's Ransom' - found in the short story book Sharpe's Christmas).

I hope to get back to Starbuck one day!

I like good mysteries and detective novels - Ian Rankin, John Sandford, PD James, Dennis Lehane, Stuart McBride, among many others.

Q

I love The Saxon Stories!! I am a college student and am fascinated with Saxon history. I just can't put your books down. I sometimes find myself wondering if I would have been able to stand in a shield wall! Think there is a possibility of a mini-series?? I think that would be awesome. Nate

Submitted May 26, 2011

A

No plans for it, but I'm glad you like the books!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a big admirer of yours and particularly like the Sharpe series of books and the tv show and how you placed so much detail about the character and his adventures in the series, what I was wondering would you be writing anymore books about Sharpe adventures or was Sharpe's devil the last 1, I also enjoy reading the Starbuck Chronicles, I will look forward to hearing from you. Kris

Submitted May 26, 2011

A

There will be more Sharpe.

Q

How many publishers did you send a finished story to before being accepted?

Do you copyright material before it is sent because I wouldn't want people stealing my ideas? I am also an archaeologist looking to write historical fiction and I have been inspired by your books which I enjoy reading (especially on a long bus journey when I would rather be lost in Anglo-Saxon England) Your books bring so much excitement, Keep Writing! cheers Michael

Submitted May 26, 2011

A

I was lucky and only received one rejection. A literary agent read Sharpe's Eagle and returned it with a letter saying 'the general reader will never be interested in stories of the British Army'. I still see him at parties from time to time.

The copyright is yours the moment you write the words! You don't have to do anything legal, sign anything, fill in a form, just write the words and the copyright is yours. Good luck!