Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Sometime back I ask you if you had a particular historical time frame for your next series after the Saxon Stories. You mentioned that you wanted to keep that information private as was your practice. Totally understandable. I see from your website you have written a new book "Agincourt". Would this means your next series might be from the 1415 time frame of history or is this a single book?

Also do you have any plans to write any Sharpe books to fill in the gap of 1815-1821 between "Waterloo & Sharpe's Devil?

Finally, still planning on keeping Lord "Pumps" around in your next Sharpe's book as you mentioned that he was still an interesting character and you didn't want Sharpe to "retire" him as yet? As always, thank you for wonderful series of historical novels and such interesting characters as well as enlightening history lessons. Jeff Juri

A

It's possible there might be more than one book, but I don't know yet.

There will be more Sharpe books, so again, it's possible.

I like Pumphrey so I think he'll appear again.


Q

Hi Bernard, I just wanted to say that I'm a huge fan, and have read pretty much everything you've written! I also wanted to know that you have lots of new and exciting areas that you're planning to write about. I understand that you probably can't tell us about them, but I wanted to know that you weren't likely to run out of ideas any time soon...? And are we possibly going to get a new series starting after you've completed Saxon book 5?? Cheers, Chris.

A

Still have plenty of ideas, so don't think you need to worry... I've just started the next Saxon book; not sure right now what will come after that...


Q

Hello Mr Cornwell Like many others I've grown up reading your wonderful books and I'm saving them all up for my son to read, when he can start that is!! I noticed that you have a new book coming out and that you will be touring to promote the release. Before I order a copy off the net I just wanted to ask if you would be adding more date/venues to your tour and in particular any around Basildon Essex or Central London? I will keep checking your Diary page as it would be nice to get a signature from you. Take Care, Gary

A

The rest of the itinerary has been added to the Diary page today. Please be sure to take a look!


Q

Sir, good evening, I want to say I've thoroughly enjoyed your Sharpe series since 1993. I was wondering if there any plans to do another Sharpe movie with Sean Bean in the near future? Chris

A

The latest Sharpe film is 'Sharpe's Peril', starring Sean Bean. The film will be shown on ITV in the UK later this year. For more information about the Sharpe films, click on the link found on the homepage of this website.


Q

Greetings and Salutations Mr. Cornwell , Thanks for the hours of entertainment that i have enjoyed whilst reading your books. I have completed a while back the Sharpe series and have just finished thus far the four Saxon books though i did read them in a strange order due to availability at the shops ( 4,2,3 and then 1 ). I have a particular interest as i have 'Guyan'(viking) as part of my family name which we have thus passed on through our children in turn (any chance of weaving the name into your next book ? ).

I was anticipating the TV series adaptation of the Sharpe books with keen anticipation but was disappointed due to the fact it didn't convey the immensity and scale of the scenes especially of the battles ? How much involvement and input were you or did you have ? Were you happy with the adaptation , the final outcome ? Do you or have you been asked if any of your books can be made into big films and even sequels thereof ? regards and thanks , Callum S Walsh , Shropshire

A

I'll try! I'm looking for names right now, so it might well work!

My involvement with the films is limited to cheer leading, but I'm very happy with it . . . I'm not saying I wouldn't rather have the screen-writers slavishly follow my books, but on the other hand they have constraints I don't have. It costs me nothing to produce an army, but they have to hire extras!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell: If you can, Id like you to recall back to the Sharpes in India. I was wondering what made you go back? Was it any easier or more difficult? Do you wish you had done them the other way round now? And was Sharpes Company in the 33rd real or fictional? And do you remember how Hakeswill jumped in your head? He is just too perfect! He is my favorite character next to Harper. Thanks! PS: Do you have any plans to come near Wisconsin soon? Lovely state if youve never been
Adam Azzalino

A

It was daft to write them out of order, but I thought I'd finished the series after Waterloo, then along came Sean Bean so it seemed sensible to write more . . and that meant going backwards.

Hakeswill? The name was the inspiration. I was driving along, minding my own business, when for some reason the name popped into my head. Don't know from where - and once the name was there the character followed.

Hope I do get to Wisconsin some day!


Q

Dear Sir I'm in the process of re-reading my entire Sharpe Collection and am currently on Sharpe's Havoc and am just wondering (I already know he features in Sharpe's Escape) has Jorge Vicente finished his involvement in the Sharpe Books? Does his military career finish with the liberation of Portugal? I liked Jorge, I thought he was great, he seems to really look up to Sharpe (hence becoming a Rifleman himself by the next time they meet) and would it be fair to say he's slowly but surely coming round to Sharpe's way of thinking by the end of Sharpe's Escape? He certainly stops trying to be Sharpe's Conscience by then!! Or losing some of his naivety?
Lee

A

I like Vicente too - I think we'll see him again!


Q

Hi Bernard just wanted to know if there will be another book after Sword Song they are the best books I've read thanks. Richard Holland

Just finished Sword Song...what's next?...when? Bill

My son and I loved the Saxon tales and I purchased Sword Song for him as Christmas present, which I presented to him last month. ha and I didn't even read it first. I would like to know if there will be another in the series. If not,( I read the afterword and saw that Uhtred was your ancestor)what happened to Uhtred? Did he ever go back to Northumbria and did Alfred ever recognize him for what he did for Alfred? Too many questions left unanswered. You need to write another book. an avid fan Lola Solida

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I am just wondering when the next chapter in the Uhtred saga will continue - and a little bit more romance would be very nice. Thank you kindly. I love your books about the vikings Regards Carina Karlsdotter

Heyup Bernard, when is the next Saxon stories book out then?

Joey Mc

A

I've recently started the next book of the Saxon series. Hope to see it published in the UK in October 2009 (and maybe January 2010 in the US?).


Q

Dear Bernard: Hope you are well and getting ready to write the next Saxon. I just read that John Le Carre is actually a pseudonym. His real name is David Cornwell! Any relation (any yes I know you're adopted)?

Speaking of relations, as to Sharpe's father -- might he be the lord of Bamburgh circa 1775 and therefore a descendent of Uhtred? What a thought! Cheers and keep spinning! Scott

A

Not that I know of . . . nor of Patricia Cornwell, nor of John Cornwell. Lots of Cornwell writers . . . I suppose it's possible we're all distantly related, but if so, I don't know how. And I am a huge admirer of John Le Carre.

Sorry, I ain't saying....at least, not yet.


Q

Hello, I read the anglo-saxon chronicles in portuguese and after I read the third one which should be in english called "the nobles from the north" ( os senhores do norte ) I am very curious to know if Uhtred will get back to Bebbanburg and kill his uncle.. is there a fourth edition coming.. if it is when ?? thank you very much for your time !! Felipe

A

I believe Sword Song will be available in Portuguese translation in early 2009.