Your Questions

Dear Bernard You have recently said that the next book is set during the American Revolution will it involve Banastre Tarleton at all and if not would you ever consider even one book about him It must be said as a very Sharpe like character (Yet more than any other British soldier he is truly loathed in the US) it would be great to see you write about him even just 1 novel and he does deserve some payback for the Patriot.

2) And if assuming you ever do get to Starbuck he has been confined really in Virginia and Lee would you ever consider sending him truly south to some of the battles in the West???

and finally Have you ever considered writing about the Crimean war and battles like the Alma, Balakalva and Inkkerman all could be regarded as soldiers battles (certainly little in the way of generalship) and the famous birth of the thin red line. Anyway look forward to the Burning land. Yours sincerely Geraint P.S If you have not read it Ian Fletcher's new book book on the battle of the Alma 1854 is worth a go and very enjoyable.

Dear Mr Cornwell Sorry if there an answer to this question posted elsewhere - I am sure there must be, I can't find it. I have read the Arthur trilogy, which are the best Arthur books I have read in years, and also really enjoyed the Uhtred/Alfred books, I am now preparing to wade into the rather larger world of Sharpe - just a quick query. Would you recommend reading them in historical order, or the order they were written? thanks for your time James

Do you know when (if ever) the DVD of Sharpe's Peril will be released in the Colonies? It seems as if we have been waiting forever!
Dianne Campbell

In Sharpe's Triumph, during one of the charges of the Light Dragoons at Assaye, you praise the Pattern 1796 light cavalry sabre, but any time that Sharpe gets a word in, the sword comes across as a useless toy for aristocratic officers. I understand that the two perspectives come from two different literary perspectives (narrator vs character) but I am curious as to your opinion of the blade. Was it the best of the era? If not, what was?
William Richmond

I have no manuscripts nor anything else for you to assess. I am writing this to complement you as my favorite author. Starting with the Sharpe's series I moved to the Arthur Trilogy and you had me! I have now completed all except your short story. I do have one question. When will Starbuck march again? Respectfully, Scott Reed COL US Army (Ret)

Hi Bernard. Love your books of which looking down the list on your website I've read all of. I'm eagerly anticipating the last of the saxon books but have a month and a half to wait before it comes out over here in the UK. Having just read all of Conn Iggulden's books and the last of Naomi Novik's excellent Temeraire series, I wonder if there's any (similar) authors you can recommend to me? (Although I realise this sounds like you're helping the competition!) Keep up the excellent work, each time there's a new Bernard Cornwell book out I have to buy 3 copies, one for me, one for my dad and one for my brother. We can't bear it if one of us has finished it before the rest and knows what happens! Jimmy.

Hello Bernard, Although I am an unpublished author, I would not dream of sending you my manuscripts, although, of course, any help in getting an agent or publisher would always be welcome. No, my reason for writing is to give you an idea for a possible late Sharpe story - an idea which I give you 'free-gratis-and for nothing' as they say. Have you ever thought of writing a story about Sharpe's daughter, Antonia, when she grows up - maybe she looks like Teresa but has many of Sharpe's attributes (or vices) maybe she is an excellent swords woman. I'm sure an interesting story would occur to you and I'd love to read it if you ever decide to write it. I hope you will not be offended by my writing to you and would be delighted if you were able to reply (but I won't hold my breath). My very best wishes to you and my thanks for the many years of happy reading you have given me. Patricia M Smith

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I just wanted to know what happened to Sharpe's children? Thanks very much for your time. Sincerely, Zachary Paul

I need help finding out what the town of Marseilles in southern France was like and how it appeared in the early 1200's. Cobbled archways? Roman roads? Was it walled? If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks Micheal

Hello Mr Cornwell, am rereading your Sharpe novels and waiting for the next Saxon book. How do you know when your writing is done? In Sharpe's sword your words create pictures. How do you know you have done it right? No pun intended. I went back to the Arthur books for a quick look and got hooked. I shall reread Arthur soon. Regards Nicholas Langrick.

Mr. Cornwell, Early in 2008, I was introduced to your writing via a recommendation on George RR Martin's website. Since then, I've devoured some 14 or so of your works. I force myself to take a break every now and again so I don't exhaust your entire catalog too quickly. Inspired by your novels, I've even read some excellent nonfiction (Juliet Barker, Desmond Seward, etc.) lately. I never would have guessed I'd be so fascinated by British history, but I suppose these things are instilled in us when we're young and it's up to us to unlock them as adults. So first off, a hearty thanks for the hours of entertainment, and for expanding my love of history in general. Two Questions: First, born and bred in Western Pennsylvania, I've always been interested in The French and Indian/Seven Years War. Can you recommend any good books on the subject?

Second, The Arthur trilogy is probably my favorite of your works. While I can fully understand not wanting to continue with the characters, have you ever considered the idea of a prequel or maybe even stories set in the same time period with different protagonists? I've not yet read Stonehenge, so maybe that book would scratch this particular itch. Looking forward to what comes next, Justin