Your Questions

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

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

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

Dear Mt. Cornwell, Frankly, I have just discovered your works. I really enjoyed "The Vagabond" and I am eager to find the rest of the books of Grail Quest series. What I want to ask you concerns my guess based on two scenes in this book. The first scene describes how Thomas comes to the church where his father served. He found a simple clay bowl (could it be called a chalice?)and threw it away. The second scene contains Thomas' talk with Mordechai. Mordechai says that Jesus was poor and it it is unlikely that He used dishes made of silver and gold, even though it was Seder, the Jewish holiday ceremonial feast. Did you want to hint that for that reason real Grail had never been found? People simply couldn't believe the real Grail didn't look like a treasure. Maybe that simple clay bowl that Thomas threw away was the Grail? I am from Israel, and though my native language is Russian, I also know English and Hebrew near native. I read "The Vagabond" in Russian, and I think the translation didn't affect its excellence . Maybe I will find the rest of the books in English, but they are great in Russian as well. Thank you again.

Natalia Lebedev

Mr. Cornwell, firstly, I am 18, and must say that I have been reading your historical fiction books (and the Sharpe series in particular) on and off for at least 3 years. For a long time, your novels were the only ones I read. I still love all your novels with a passion, and they have helped me greatly in my AP European History class! History has always been my favorite subject, and so I cannot help but judge all historical fiction novels I have read against yours! I am even writing a book report on Waterloo right now (procrastination, hooray!). That said, I am also an aspiring actor (going to college next year for musical theatre) and I noticed in your Diary section, that you are an actor too! More specifically, I noticed that you will be appearing as Dr. Watson in SHERLOCK HOLMES. Might I ask who the play is by? I am a great fan of Holmes (I was in London for spring break, and visited the museum at 221b Baker Street), and I would love to get the chance to read the script! Do you ever do any Gilbert and Sullivan? Lastly, I won't ask you when your next book is coming out, or even the title, as I know you have been answering that question nonstop, so all I will say is please continue to write the wonderful novels that we all truly love (and if it's not TOO much, a few more Sharpe novels would be great! :P ) -Sean

Dear Mr. Cornwell- My husband and I have thoroughly enjoyed many of your books. I just finished the Arthur books for the second time, and am very happy that The Burning Land is now available. Having covered the Anglo-Saxon invasion of England, and then the Vikings invasion, do you ever think of writing a story of the Norman invasion? (And I do realize you only have so much time.) Tricia Hoffman

Dear Mr. Cornwell, First of all I have to say I have read and thoroughly enjoyed all your Sharpe stories as well as many other books you have written.Thank you for the pleasure they have given to me. Secondly the reason for this email is to ask where your idea may have come from for the Richard Sharpe character. I live in Highcliffe,Dorset and nearby is Studland where I chanced upon a wonderful headstone in the very old churchyard.It reads,back and front,like the epitaph of Sharpe and his French wife.The similarities are so much so that I had to contact you. I do hope I am not wasting your time but I almost embarrassed my poor husband by dancing around the stone I was so excited. Please keep up the production of your much enjoyed books, Kind regards, Sue

Sir: In your research, have you ever come across regulations for the British army in the 18th c. to periodically switch out their straight lasted shoes, purportedly in an attempt to make them wear out evenly, thereby extending the useful life of issued shoes? I know I had read a reference to that, but can no longer find the source. Just wondering if it was a real regulation, or a "reenactorism". --Thanks, Terry

LOVE all your books on all subjects. Are any of them e-books? Or something that can be downloaded into an i-Pod nano, for instance. Want to listen/read every chance I get. Watched one of the videos on your webpage and SOO glad you've maintained your accent. So has my Mum who is from London. Thank you.

Barbara Henry

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have just completed reading "The Fort". As usual I thoroughly enjoyed your writing and the historical notes that followed the novel. You mention the subsequent occupation of Castine in the war of 1812.The book was made even more captivating to me because during that second British occupation a customs post was operated and the revenue raised was used to found Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where I taught at the medical school for the past 40yrs or so. Any further word on a sequel to 'Gallows Thief' ? It would be a pity to let Rider,Eleanor,Berrigan and Sally fade into oblivion. Keep up the outstanding work and many thanks for what you have already given us.

David Imrie

Dear Mr. Cornwell,I first discovered your novels after watching the Sharpe series on television. This is the type of entertainment I thoroughly enjoy. After discovering you as the author I have now found other novels of yours and particularly have enjoyed "Azincourt" and the latest non put downable novel "Gallows Thief" (the front cover is not the same as shown on this site). Being totally immersed in the story line I found myself actually becoming Rider Sandman, can you please tell me when I can next expect to read about myself as I can't wait to see what I get UP to! Ken Martin