Your Questions

Q

I'm writing you from Spain. I would like to know when we have a new book on The Grail Quest series or if you finished the series with the third book. Many thanks and sorry for my mistakes in English.
Juan Jose Garcia

Submitted August 26, 2010

A

The Grail Quest series is finished with the third book.

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I have been an avid reader of your books since I was a child, I have really enjoyed every tale you have created, like many I wish to see them on the big screen especially the Arthur books. Can you tell us if you have been approached by the big Hollywood war machine?? Personally I believe you will require independent film makers to make these stories come to life untainted with special effects and big stars who will be unable to see the visions which are created with each book. Keep up the great work I intend to bring short films inspired greatly by your books to my own art work, england will never be the same without Sharpe and his rifles!!!

Christopher McGregor

Dear Mr Cornwell; I have read the Warlord chronicles cover to cover multiple times now and loved every minute of it. You may frequently get the usual "why not make this into a film/TV series?" question from various people and I'm aware that in that regard it's out of your hands, but I do believe the WL chronicles weave a rich tapestry of characters,places and ideas that could be well adapted to a TV series format (without the element of historical re-enactment that seems to afflict many 3rd rate dramas and documentaries). Is it protocol to be approached by production companies to get permission from an author to adapt his/her work to the screen? because I reckon there's a petition in order.
Mike Bones

Submitted August 26, 2010

A

I leave that up to my agent!

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell, Your novels are wonderful... can you tell me when your novel ''the burning land'' will be translate in french, please? thank very much for the good times you give me. Humbert Wilfried

Submitted August 26, 2010

A

My agent tells me they may be looking at a 2011 publication date for the French translation of The Burning Land.

Q

Hello, Mr. Cornwell. I'm a new reader of yours, and I absolutely love your novel Stonehenge. If I may ask, how do you get inspiration for such stories? How did you research for the book? April

Submitted August 26, 2010

A

Thank you April - I'm always happy to meet new readers! My inspiration for Stonehenge? When you visit Stonehenge there's nothing there that really tells you what it is. To an historical novelist that's like a red rag to a bull and perhaps the question can only be answered by fiction. But the novel involved a vast amount of research. especially all the technical stuff about the astronomical framework which demanded a comprehension of some fairly complicated math, and what made that worse was the knowledge that almost none of that research would ever be used in the novel. It was necessary to do it so that I understood what the best scholars were saying about the monument. I ended up building a 33:1 scale model from archaeologist's plans and lighting it at night with flashlights simulating the rising and setting of the sun and the moon. There is also a mass of useful material on the living conditions of the society that constructed Stonehenge, much of it unpublished, but surprisingly comprehensive. What there is not, of course, is any information about their cosmology, theology or mythology, and the best starting point for remedying that lack was to read anthropological accounts of other pre-literate societies. The other great source of material was the academic work on the other henge monuments of Britain. There are over a thousand such monuments, some little more than ploughed-in shadows on the ground, but others are substantial works like Avebury, Stanton Drew or the Stones of Callanish. I am glad to know you enjoyed the book!

Q

I just wondered how you came upon the king's alias in Azincourt. Did it have any historical significance or did you choose to name him after a poorly paid wine merchant from London. Best regards. Jon

Submitted August 18, 2010

A

I think I made it up . . . . honestly don't remember.

Q

Do you have a facebook fan page???
Akmal AHMAD

Submitted August 18, 2010

A

I do!

Q

Did you name Richard Sharpe after the Sharps Rifle?

Conlan Murphy

Submitted August 18, 2010

A

What happened was that when I began writing the first book I wanted to find a really interesting name for the hero - something like Horatio Hornblower - and I just could not find the name, so I decided to use the (slightly amended) name of one of my great heroes - Richard Sharp, the rugby player of Cornwall and England - and once I'd found the 'real' name I'd simply cross out Richard and Sharpe and put in whatever the 'real' name was to be. Well, of course, the name stuck, and even if I'd thought of something brilliant I doubt I would have changed it.

Q

Hi Bernard...I am a great fan of historical fiction and just found your books today. Where have I been? Where would you suggest I start reading and then which series should follow? Thanks for your time....Sally

Submitted August 18, 2010

A

Hi Sally! Maybe you'd like to start with the most recent series, the Saxon Tales? The first book in that series is The Last Kingdom. But I do hope you'll read all my books!

Q

Hello, I would just like to ask you if your character Nate Starbuck is of any relation to Mr. Starbuck from Moby Dick? I was just wondering about it. And your books are the greatest in existence, says so in the scriptures.
Christian Moorman

Submitted August 18, 2010

A

Yes, his name is taken from Moby Dick - and I think you're the first person to point that out! I don't think he's related, but the name was common on Nantucket way back when - and so it suits a New Englander, despite the reviewer who castigated me for using an 'unAmerican' name!

Q

Cornwell Hello, I am Brazilian and admirer of his work, I've read all his books except the Sharpe, I just read the five books of the series of Uhtred and was wondering if the next book is near the launch and how many books the series will if you already know. I consider him a brilliant writer and I found your excellent version for the stories of "King" Arthur and I wonder also if you have no interest in creating a book or series telling a version of the story of Robin Hood. Congratulations for excellent work.
Thiago Senra Ferreira da Silva

Submitted August 18, 2010

A

I don't know how many books there will be in the series, but Uhtred will be the next book I write. I've considered Robin Hood, but I'm not sure when (or if!) it will happen....