Your Questions

Q

Bernard, Thank you for some fantastic books,I think my favourite have to be the Saxon series.I was wondering, do you research the translations of the various languages that you use in the books yourself? Being a welsh speaker it amuses me to read my native tongue in your books. furthermore have you ever considered writing about the struggle of the Welsh Princes against the English in the middle ages?
Mark

Submitted January 20, 2009

A

I do research - do I get it right? Well, for the Arthur books I had the help of a Welsh-speaking friend and only hope she didn't deceive me. I was hugely amused when a reviewer (an Amazon.com staffer) berated me for using the word 'edling' which, she claimed, was an insult to the Welsh, but as I took it straight from the Welsh original of the Laws of Hywel Dda I decided I was right and she was burbling in ignorance. Against stupidity, as Schiller said, the Gods themselves struggle in vain.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I am curious...are you a "speed-reader"?
Karen

Submitted January 20, 2009

A

Not, probably, as most people mean it - it's a technique, isn't it? But I read fast - very fast.

Q

I know this will fall into the FAQ category, but a Christmas gift introduced me to your work via the Starbuck Chronicles which I enjoyed. Do you still plan to continue the story? I hate to think of young Nathaniel stuck in Sharpsburg for eternity with a head wound and no word on Sally, Julia, Pecker Bird, General Faulconer, Billy Blythe and Belvedere Delaney. Scott Burner

Submitted January 20, 2009

A

I do hope to get back to Starbuck.

Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell! I have finally just finished Sword Song the last of your Saxon Tales. First I just want to say that your books are incredible. I have always loved history, especially ancient history and European history. I have read the Saxon Stories and Stonehenge and I couldn't put them down until I was finished. Just wondering is there going to be another book to finish Uhtred's thrilling tale? If so when? Please write faster!! haha just kidding
John Grosso

Hello Bernard. I note your own favourites are the three Arthur books (Winter King, Enemy of God and Excalibur ). I concur. I have just read the fourth Alfred book, Sword Song and long for more. Do you have a fifth on the drawing board? Respectfully yours, Tommo of Wanaka, New Zealand

Dear Mr. Cornwell, So far I read all of your books about Uthred the Warrior. I just wanted to ask when the next part will appear in stores in Germany? And a big thanks to you, I have never read books like yours, you're a genius. :) Best regards, Robert Kluch

hi mr cornwell,i really enjoy your books especially the saxon stories,can you please tell me when the next one will be here(after sword song),as the wait is killing me!thanks for your time. Richie Dorrean

enjoyed all 4 books of the Saxon Tales - please let me know if you have started the 5th and if at all possible, you might know about when it will be released? James Quick

dear Mr. Cornwell my son turned me on to your books a couple of years ago and I enjoy them very much but I have been geeking for more saxon tales are you planning on a fifth book for Uhtred thank you best wishes Joe

I was wondering when we could expect a sequel to "Sword Song"? And thank you for many enjoyable hours 'wasted' according to my wife. Aubrey

Dear Sir, I am a great fan of your books and was wondering when we can expect the next installment of the saxon stories? I have just finished sword song and am now on tender hooks. Many thanks. Steve Higham

I am a great fan of your saxon stories. I was wondering if you are planning to write any more. Please???
Stuart W.

When does the next Saxon Stories book come out & is there a name for it yet?
Stan Cieslak

I love your stories about Uhtred.And my question is:When comes your fifth book? Sorry for my bad English,i am a German! greets, Bernd Hinrichs

Dear Bernard, I have recently become a huge fan of the Saxon series. My partner has always been a huge fan and recently turned me from the slushy novels I usually read and I must admit I do love your tales. We have purchased all the books with the latest being, of course, Sword Song. I am anxious to discover what becomes of Uhtred and Gisela and the rest of the characters. can you please let me know when the sequels will be published. Many thanks for hours of good reading
Kelly Broome

Submitted January 20, 2009

A

I am currently working on the fifth book of the Saxon stories and hope to have it ready for publication in the UK in October (most likely January 2010 in the US). No title yet!

Q

hi again thanks for replying to my last question. I have read every one of your books excluding Sharpe and enjoyed all . I was just wondering why in the Saxon series you kill Uhtred's son to save Alfred's using magic and again when Ceinwyn chooses Derfel over Lancelot in the Arthur books?

Mark Spooner

Submitted January 20, 2009

A

I guess it's coincidence . . . . nothing too significant there as far as I can tell!

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am currently in my Upper 6th at my school, I am planning to cycle round Spain for my GAP year and the main role of this is to visit the battlefields of those in the Sharpe series. Your books have greatly interrested me in the Napolionic era and they are the basis of my inspirtaition to go to Spain. What I wanted to ask was which places do you mostly reccomend and do you have any other suggestions (warnings or any other kind). I also would like to thank you for all the effort you put into these books that you write especcially the Sharpe and Saxon series. Many thanks, Chris Lord

Submitted January 19, 2009

A

The indispensable guide is Wellington's Peninsular War, Battles and Battlefields by Julian Paget (Leo Cooper, London, 1990 - updated since). Don't miss Salamanca, Ciudad Rodrigo, Fuentes d'Onoro and have a wonderful time!

Q

please can you tell me the title of your book mentioning the two executed Thomas Syddalls ? I look forward to hearing from you. Regards, Jean Wilding nee Syddall

Submitted January 15, 2009

A

I don't remember that book! Did I write it?

Q

Just a thank you Mr Cornwell for writing such gripping stories. Especially The Saxon Stories. I live in North Shields and know Northumberland very well, I am looking forward to the next one. Will Tynemouth Priory feature? I'm sure there was a settlement there at that time. Best Regards, Keith Reynolds.

Submitted January 15, 2009

A

It will probably be mentioned, but probably in passing - not sure yet as I'm still writing the book, but Uhtred is headed that way!

Q

Hi again, Mr. Cornwell. You've recently said that you'd like to write a novel someday on the battle of Poitiers. When you do it, will it be a Thomas of Hookton adventure? By the way, if you want to read an excellent description of the fighting at Poitiers, you should read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel "Sir Nigel." Alan Kempner

Submitted January 15, 2009

A

I'll know who the main character is when I start thinking about the novel - which won't be for a couple of years, but yes, I think Thomas is a good candidate. I shall avoid other novels about the battle, for the simple reason that I don't want to be accused of copying them! I haven't read 'Sir Nigel', and won't until after I've finished my book.

Q

Dear Bernard In regards to your Starbuck novels Copperhead ends with Gaines Mill and Battle Flag starts with Cedar Mountain. Yet there was still a lot of fighting left in the 7 days at Glendale and Malvern Hill. I was wondering if you had any plans to tackle them in a short story to fill in the gap??? Also in the 7 days I wondered what your opinion was on the reason on Jackson's apparent slowness in those engagements that contributed to the Souths heavy casualties It seems a long way from the Jackson at say Chancellorsville??? And what is your opinion of the generalship of Joe Johnston. He seemed to perform well against Sherman around Atlanta yet has a poor reputation ??? Finally two British historians Fuller and Burne both produced a book comparing the generalship of both Grant and Lee. Fuller came down on the side Grant and Burne on the side of Lee on who was the superior general I wondered where your views sided towards?? Yours sincerely Tony P.S Hope you don't mind me saying this but A starbuck novel after you finish your next Uhtred novel would be really great.

Submitted January 15, 2009

A

I really doubt I'll be doing any short stories . . . . but never say never! I'd much rather write a full length novel which is (for me anyway) much easier. Jackson's a curious character, mercurial at times and prone, it seems to me, to deep depressions. When he was good he was brilliant, and when he was in a mood he was entirely unpredictable. I'm always wary of comparisons . . . . Lee is obviously the more attractive character, but it took the dour, unrelenting approach of Grant to beat him. But given different circumstances, who could tell?