Your Questions

Q

Dear Sir; I believe you are my favorite author, not that it means you'll always sell at least one copy. My question is this: have you any plans to follow Mr. Sharpe through his basic training in the rifles (please say yes?) with all due respect and well deserved honor; Brian Thibodeau P.S. you ARE very good. but that's like taking coals to Newcastle isn't it?

Submitted June 19, 2008

A

Sorry, probably not... but who knows? Maybe in a short story?

Q

Hello sir. few questions. if and when will you be coming to Canada and if so a whole tour? when was the last time you where in Canada? did you like it? sorry to be so pesky but is there a new Sharpe movie coming out? and just started the Winter king AMAZING. thanks for everything. Luke Wynes

Submitted June 19, 2008

A

No tours of Canada on my schedule right now. I do like Canada although it has been a few years since I've been on tour there.

Yes, a new Sharpe film - 'Sharpe's Peril' - is in the works. Click on this link for Sharpe films information: http://www.sharpefilm.com/

Q

My english is very bad! I am a danish fan, and two days ago I just finished your latest book translated into Danish, "Sword Song". Your books about Uhtred gets better and better, and I love them! :o) I have something with the Danelage... :o) Please, hurry, write some more about Uhtred, and let it be translated as quick as possible! I am waiting, waiting, waiting...! :o) Do you know how many novels it will be in the end? Very wishful greetings from a danish fan Tonnie

Submitted June 17, 2008

A

I don't know how many books there will be for the Saxon stories, but I am glad to know you are enjoying them!

Q

Is Coat of Arms and The Aristocrats the same? Jillian

Submitted June 17, 2008

A

Yes, The Aristocrats is the title the American publisher gave Coat of Arms by Susannah Kells when the book was published in the US.

Q

Please write the next book in the Saxon series! Please! ASAP! Any idea when it is coming? I have re-read the first four several times now and I am going a bit mad waiting for the next one. And keep up the brilliant work on all the others as well. Ever thought about cloning yourself? You could have one writer for the Sharpe series, one for the Saxons, one for new stories...Mark Saunders

Hey, I just want to let you know that I love The Saxon Stories. They are one of the best series I have ever read and I think that you are very talented. The reason why I'm contacting you is because I want to know when the next book is coming out =). I can't wait and I know it takes a lot to write a book but even if it's just an estimation? lol, I know its pretty much impossible but I just want you to know that I think you are an excellent author. Thanks, Emily Keyter

Submitted June 17, 2008

A

I can't say for sure since it hasn't been written yet, but I think it will be my next book....so look for it to be published in the UK in October 2009 (and perhaps in the US in January 2010).

Q

Mr Cornwell, Thanks for taking the time to answer my earlier question, good to know Vicente will be back! Your answer made me think of another question. I'm an English and Creative Writing student and sometimes I find I've got my wires all crossed when writing the shortest of stories! As you've said you haven't written the books in chronological order. You've written a great number of novels now and have there ever been instances where you've said something in a book that is negated by events in another? I ask this because I was reading Sharpe's Enemy lately and Sharpe mentions the Sultan and how he gave one of his rubies to a woman he thought he loved completely...who promptly ran off and left him. Sixteen years later, was this woman replaced by lady grace? Thanks again Rhys Adamec

Submitted June 17, 2008

A

Yes, there are a number of inconsistencies in the Sharpe books. In one book I say that Sharpe and Hakeswill were together in the breach at Gawilghur and I knew that perfectly well when I wrote Sharpe's Fortress, but the story simply wouldn't work if they were, so I ignored the earlier book reference and wrote what, to me, was the better story. Maybe one day, far in the future, we might re-issue all the books, smoothed out, polished, etc etc, but it isn't high on the priority list.

Q

Hi Mr Cornwell , Your books have passed many a fine hour on holiday or at home , I am a keen history fan especially military and all your books hit the right spot . I have even converted my Wife Kate although she is a history fan for some strange reason she only like factual biographies' by Richard Holmes/ Antonia Fraser etc and refused to read historical fiction novels where the fictional character is set in real events , nearly all your books !!. But since I kept pestering her to read one she has given and is now a huge fan like myself. One quick question, Kate and I are off to the USA in August staying in Hilton Head SC for a week before driving up to Asheville NC and then doing the skyline drive to Washington. Have you ever been to Hilton Head and if yes can you recommend any Restaurants , Bars etc . I am big Civil war fan and would like your advice on must see sites that I could visit ( Kate is not a fan but has promised me 2 visits as well as Arlington cemetery to Gen Lee old House). Look forward to your next book and please please do another Starbuck book !!! . Thank you Dave Swift

Submitted June 13, 2008

A

Sorry - never been to Hilton Head (don't play golf, that's why). It's going to be HOT!!!!! Go to Charleston, eat at the Fulton Five, or High Cotton, or SNOBS (Slightly North of Broad Street). And have fun! Must see? Any of the battlefields are good (beautifully preserved), but I'd recommend Antietam (if you go that far north).

Q

Mr Cornwell, I am just about to enter my second year at the University of St Andrews, studying Mediaeval History, and the period we are about to cover is Britain from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries. Having just devoured Sword Song with the utmost pleasure, I was wondering whether you could offer me the names and book titles of a few historians who cover that period for some background reading and for the essays I will have to endure? Many thanks and my compliments on another fantastic book. Regards, Al.

Submitted June 12, 2008

A

Thank you! I think a list of all the books would be far too long . . . .really! But do look at Justin Pollard's biography of Alfred . . . . and The Anglo-Saxons edited by James Campbell is a superb overview, and you can get more titles from the bibliographies - if I were to recommend just one - get the Campbell, it will be useful!

Q

Hi Bernard, Your books especially the Saxon series have inspired me to try my hand at writing. I have decided to base my story on an Anglo-Saxon member of the Varangian Guard, who had a reputation for being the most fierce and loyal element of Byzantium forces. Do you have much knowledge of the Varangian Guard, and if so have there been any stories previously written about them? Thanks, Tom

Submitted June 12, 2008

A

I have very little knowledge of them . . . sorry . . . and don't know of any books about them. Try Googling and search in Amazon (UK and US)

Q

I started reading your books when I was 14 (I think). I'm 16 now and am half way through the Sharpe series, have read Redcoat and the Grail quest series and have recently got Sword Song after finishing the previous Saxon books and have just finished Rebel. I was wondering if you have read any Patrick O'Brian and if so what you think of them and what has been your favorite period in history to write about? William

Submitted June 12, 2008

A

I've read everything he's written! He's terrific. My favourite period? Whichever I'm currently writing about - but obviously I adore the Napoleonic!