Your Questions

Hello Mr. Cornwell, I am happily reading along in Sharpe's Enemy and I have come to the part where Sharpe says he never went back to the Foundling Home. I think I remember him going back in Sharpe's Prey and giving the fellow who ran the place a much deserving once over. Is my memory wrong? No big deal, just curious. On a much different note. I have read where you don't much like writing a story where the setting takes pace aboard a ship, but I very much liked Sharpe's Trafalgar. I would like to read more about the goings on aboard a British war ship and would like to know if you prefer Patrick O'Brien or C.S. Forester? Thanks, Joe

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Your work has of course been a beacon for my own attempts at historical fiction, and while my interaction with the publishing world is still dim, I can't help but wonder why they would publish your next Saxon tale after the Christmas holiday. Any thoughts on the industry? I was looking forward to it in my stocking. Best regards. M. McK.

first of all, big fan of sharpe books - I was just wondering if you would consider making any more ?
Jamie Lanc

Dear Mr Cornwell My daughter and I both loved reading the Arthur books and to get over the difficulties of pronouncing the sometimes unpronounceable names, we simply referred to the characters as "Bert". The Arthur books have therefore now become, for us, the "Bert" books. Could I just also add how very much I have enjoyed watching the Sharpe series (recently bought on dvd). I wonder, did the casting for the main roles match up to your own mental image of them when you were writing the stories? I don't know how you manage to write as many books covering different periods of history as you do - you have my unmitigated admiration! With kind regards Sue Young.

Hello Bernard, I would like to say how much I enjoy your books and also that I have got my wife addicted to the Saxon series. I would like to ask you about the frequency of the saxon stories, the fact that when you first started writing this series there was a book a year but now its taking longer. Does this mean you are not as interested in Uhtred and his storey and the length between books is going to widen? Neil

Dear Bernard, I'm a big fan of your books and have recently just completed Azincourt which was awesome by the way. I just wanted to know if Nick Hook & Melisande will have any more adventures or will Azincourt be a stand alone book? yours faithfully, John Bayle

Hello Bernard, just a query from down under. Congrats on winning the ashes by the way. Do you intend to come down to Aussie soon on a book signing tour? Looking forward to the Burning Land. I dont mean to make you feel old, but I started reading Sharpe when I was a young man and now my sons have started reading Sharpe. So even though that may make us both shudder at the march of time, I think it is a fantastic legacy that your works are multi generational. The boys are loving it and ploughing through Sharpe's Spanish adventures as I type!

Jon Winsbury

Hello Mr. Cornwell! =) At first I would like to say that I really enjoy your books and say that you're one of the most fantastic writer that I've ever seen! I'm from Brazil and I heard about that you may be at the "Bienal do Livro" in Rio de Janeiro talk about your new book Azincourt (an amazing book!)and perhaps give some autographs.. I would like to know if all that I say it's true,so than I can buy a pass to go to Rio and enjoy the part =) thanks man! congratulations for your success. Camila

Mr. Cornwell, Writing because I need to the depth of my soul thank you very, very much for your books. I read the four first volumes of The Saxon Stories. Reading The Arthur Chronicles(BETTER LATE THAN NEVER) and Azincourt at the moment. I'll need to denominate my son Uhtred! Eager to meet you at Bienal do Livro in Rio de Janeiro! You should know that you have a lot of fans in Brazil and the place will be burning with your visit. I have one question: Do you like your books cover in Brazil? You obviously approve it to have been published, but the style is so different... I'm not complaining, I love them! Just curiosity. With the admiration as one of Uhtred by Old Ragnar, THANK YOU.

Anthony Souza

Hi Bernard. I've just returned from a short break to Devon and made a visit to Dawlish Warren where I know you set the final battle of Camlan scenes of the Arthur trilogy (Excalibur to be precise). I have so wanted to see the area for several years to get a proper picture of the area when I next re read this wonderful trilogy (my favourite of all your books). I was however somewhat disappointed as the hill where Derfel stands watching Arthur sail away is now badly eroded. The hill is almost in two parts now and a large arch looks as if it is about to fall as there are large cracks leading from it to the top. The hill is now fenced off to stop visitors walking to the top, so sad as I couldn't stand where Derfel stood! The dunes however are still pretty much as you describe in the book. However, I was wondering, the battle itself, did you envision it on the main seaward side of the warren or around the point into the Exe river? Also did Sagramore cross the exe to get to Arthur from the Exmouth side? Did Derfel throw Excalibur into the sea or the river mouth? Sorry to ask for silly details but it helps me visualise it more. Thanks Andrew