hello I see that your next book is not another of the saxon stories. Will there be more? By the way, us lawyers sometimes enjoy your books as well. Joe Mueller
There will be more Saxon stories!
Mr. Cornwell, I just finished reading Sword Song and really love the series!! I am just curious as to when you may start working on the next one, the earliest you would expect it to be released, and how many there will be in the series total. I have fallen in love with Uhtred's story, and can't wait for the next one. By far my favorite series I have ever read. Keep up the great work! Thank you.
Brian VersluesCan you tell me when the sequel to Sword Song will be published? I am already missing Uhtred's escapades! Andy Goldberg
Mr. Cornwell, I am a very recent reader of your books. I was actually looking for a new sci-fi book in the library when I just happened to go into the Adult fiction section and pick up The Last Kingdom. I was going to put it back but I have always been a lover of history and I found it intriguing. Well, after that I read The Pale Horseman, Lords of the North and Sword Song. Now I have never written to an author before but I must ask you, Where and When will I be able to read the next book? I just started reading your books last month and you had me when Uhtred received his name in such a shocking yet funny manner. (Ok it was terrible his brother's head was cut off) Nevertheless, it gripped me and now I want the rest. As I know others do. I have not read the Sharpe series but I have started the Winter King just to keep myself occupied. I see on the internet that Azincourt is coming to the UK in October. What about the US? I refuse to read an excerpt I want the whole book. (I don't want to spoil the surprise or suspense.) So let me know when to expect or if I should expect more about Uhtred. Sincerely yours, JoAnna C. Hampton
Mr. Cornwell, I am sad to say I only 'discovered' your work about 3 weeks ago. Since then I have read through the Saxon series with the exception of about 30 pages of Sword Song which I will finish at lunch. I was disappointed to see that this is the last book written in this series but glad to see that it was only written last year. When will the next in this series be out? Hopefully soon. I will pick up The Winter King this evening and start that series until the next Saxon book comes out. I love everything Viking and am really enjoying these books. Please keep up this series, at least until Uhtred takes back Bebbanburg. By the way, I'm descended from this same family as well. Thanks for your work. Rob
I believe it will be the next book I write. If so, I'd hope for publication in the UK in the autumn of 2009 (with a likely US publication date of January 2010). Not sure how many books there will be to this series - more than six, less than twelve, I'd guess...
Hello Mr Cornwell, I know you must have been asked a thousand times already. Just I would like to know when the next Sharpe book is out?
Bob Carrick
I wish I could tell you . . . I don't know. I'm giving him a rest (he's always better after a rest) and I need to revive my Napoleonic research, so it will probably be a couple of years.
I was just wondering why Uhtred, in "Sword Song", was not earlier alert about the "Bjorn's" rise from the dead since Vikings would not bury their dead into the soil but would burn them instead. just a question-the rest of the story is great as usual!
Carsten Schmidt
Danish funeral habits weren't as set as you suggest - there were burials . . . I have a suspicion that the immolation was kept for prominent people.
Hello Mr Cornwell hope the writing is going well. I looked up Llanderfel Wales a beautiful place with a wonderful church. Did you know there was a St Derfel Gadman who died fighting with Arthur at Camblan? I shall pursue the Monastery there and let you know. I do look forward to Azincourt and hoping you tackle Robin hood in a three book series. Yes I know we readers just want you at your computer all day with Sunday off to go sailing. Sounds fair? Regards Nicholas Langrick.
Hello Mr Cornwell, it seems the church and the monastery at llanderfel are both little more than mounds of earth.A great pity. The countryside around there looks beautiful. On looking this material up on the internet made me realize just how much early English history I did not know about. There was a wooden statue of St Derfel Gadman that was was used to help burn a man whom Oliver Cromwell disliked. Some of these men were worse than some my [teachers?] in the English educational system of the fifties and sixties. Have you ever thought of doing a book on Oliver Cromwell's son? He lived a long life and managed to slip back to England during the reign of Charles the Second . The story would make a good long book.
On a different tack. Do any members of the Sharpe films talk or contact you about your books? Sean Bean is Sheffield United supporter so he cannot be perfect about everything. Regard Nicholas.
I did know that . . . he's the inspiration for my Derfel Cadarn.
It's an interesting idea . . I know something of him, and I do like that period, so who knows?
Not really . . . I usually meet them during the filming, but by then they have their interpretations settled. Not commenting on the Blades.
Thank you for so many well researched stories. I have recently finished re-reading all of your published novels and am eagerly awaiting the next. To help me last until it is released can you please recommend another author with a suitably large list of titles? Please take care and continue to produce as many books as you can as you are one of only three authors I have read that are still writing and my wife would have no idea what to buy me for our anniversary if you stopped!
James
Well, I don't plan to stop so your anniversaries should be safe for awhile!
Take a look at the recommendations of the Reading Club pages of this website - loads of great suggestions there!
I've just completed your Saxon stories so far and I am about to begin the Arthurian novels, as part of my holiday reading in Scotland, where I consider home, have you considered writing any books set in Scotland? Chambered Cairns, waring clans! I did find the Saxon books very good because I live in what was, I suppose, Mercia and I have read most of your Sharpe books and the Thomas of Hookton stories, where do you draw your inspiration? And, is it hard writing as many books as you have written?
William
I think Scotland is best left to the Scots . . . though doubtless Uhtred will have to make an incursion at some point. My inspiration? Lord only knows! I do what I do, and I enjoy doing it . . . . I tell stories, and that isn't the hardest job in the world (MUCH easier than being a nurse, say, or a teacher) so, no, it hasn't been hard to write all those books!
Hello,Mr Cornwell, I'm sure I won't be the first in saying that I love your Sharpe chronicles and the Grail Quest series.Just a question regarding Iain Gale's Jack Steel series.Is it a deliberate rip-off of Sharpe and Harper or sheer coincidence?Or are you using a pseudonym?Thank you for your time,looking forward to the next Sharpe or Thomas of Hookton adventure.Sincerely,Matt Ayres
Iain Gale is a terrific Scottish writer - his first book 'Four Days in June' was a great retelling of Waterloo, and I guess his new series, like mine, is a 'rip-off' of Hornblower!
I have enjoyed your books tremendously (the ones I've read thus far) and am attempting to write my first novel. I know, I know, another one, but I am not going to bother you with plot ideas, etc.. I have a research question. While entirely fictional, my setting is essentially based on/grows out of early Anglo-Saxon culture. I was wondering if you might suggest a resource for personal names for that period. I'm trying to avoid having my own work end up sounding like a who's who of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, and having a hard time finding sources beyond the most common ones. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Zack Wilson
Use Blackwell's Encyclopaedia of Anglo Saxon England? Plenty of names there . . . or the index of any good history of the period!
Hi Mr Cornwell, How do you decide who to dedicate your books to? Also, I think its Fury, you dedicated the book to Eric Sykes. Is this the well known comedian and actor and do you know him? Many thanks Tony
That's the same Eric, and yes, I do know him, and he's a terrific guy! How do I decide? Not sure . . . . whoever I'm thinking of that day!