Your Questions

The Book Sharpes Fury which was released in August 2007, Is this a reprint? I thought I had read a Sharpe book in the past with the same title?
Howard Milor

Dear Mr.Cornwell,as a resident of Essex in the UK not far from Thundersy I am a budding historical novelist and am trying to create a novel around Boudicca's rebellion. Where do you research your books and what sparks your ideas? Many thanks, keep up the good work. Greg

I am currently reading Sword Song and have found all of the Saxon stories. Brilliant reads. I was wondering if there are any plans for more? thanx. Glynn Hicks

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I am a great fan of your Saxon stories books. I read all 4 of them and they have got me interested in reading again. I was wondering if and when a fifth book will be coming out? I am planning on reading the Grail Quest next. Please accept my thanks for these wonderful stories Scott Urquhart Vancouver, Canada

Hi I have been living in the Borders (Aed's side)for the last two years and I enjoyed Lords of the North by far the most. When is Uhtred returning North? I hope soon... Yours truly O. Hofer

I realize that I may be rushing things but when will the next Saxon book come out? They are absolutely wonderful. I have really enjoyed each one but they are too short by far. Thank you so much for them. Karen Wasylowski

Hello again Mr. Cornwell, I hope you are having a great new year so far- aside from the Patriots big loss in the Super Bowl. I wont gloat however, because I have some questions/comments/observations to inflict on you once again..... It's well-known that while sailing around the world on his boat, the Annie Marble, that C.S. Forester purchased a three volume set of the Naval Chronicle to keep him occupied during the trip. This in turn provided the seedling idea for the entire Hornblower saga. I was wondering, besides Forester's fiction itself, what, if any, specific non-fiction work did you read early on to make the notion of your "Hornblower On Land" saga seem attainable?

Awhile ago I scanned your recommendation for the book 'Rambling Soldier' by Roy Palmer, I'm glad I tracked it down- it was a great social history of the British army during that period. Might I recommend, if you haven't read it already, Turner's "Wrapped in Whirlwinds: Poems of the Crimean War". Hopefully Reading it may trigger a change of heart in regards to embarking on a Patrick Lassan series. Another good book is Hernon's "Britain's Forgotten Wars" which fills in all the nooks and crannies of history apart from the Crimean, Boer or Zulu wars, that I imagine Sharpe's progeny could take part in if you found the time..maybe you could do something like Reeman's generational Blackwood Saga?

I understand your reluctance to explore the first or second world wars, filled as they were with blood, mud and senseless mechanized death. However, may I recommend the forgotten classic "Company K" by William March- it is composed of short first person narratives of an entire company of soldiers and when read together, form this mosaic pattern of the entire war and its aftermath for those involved in a Rashomon-like style- an experiment in point of view and perception- a really wonderful book, that I found by accident, but can't recommend enough!

I wanted to know what you thought of the short story form. I know you have been talking about the possibility of exploring some of Sharpe's career in this way. This idea seems to have an historical precedent since Forester himself created a series of short stories, after his saga was more or less complete, that were eventually compiled into "Mr. Midshipman Hornblower". I read that the entire saga, the novels, were also serialized in the magazines of the day. Sabatini also created a cycle of short stories about Captain Blood after the novel was such a success; which were eventually collected in the book "The Fortunes of Captain Blood". I was wondering if maybe you had these models in mind for the further adventures of Sharpe and family. I personally would like to see you write something like Forester's "The Last Encounter" which would give us, chronologically at least, our last view of Sharpe and what finally became of him. Anyway, I bought Sword Song on the date of it's American release (I can't believe I waited that long this time !) and finished it in one long sitting. Another wonderful book. Anytime I read one of your Uhtred or Sharpe stories it reminds me of a quote by the filmmaker Sergio Leone- "History was made by violent, uncomplicated men". I think you capture that notion perfectly. R. Kulb

Hey Mr. Cornwell I have read The Winter King and Enemy Of God and then I discovered that Excalibur isn't translated into Danish. Do you have plans to get it translated into Danish? I hope you do because I would like to finish the story. P.S. you books are some of the best I ever read.
Ivan Olsen

Dear Mr Cornwell, I am a huge fan & have the complete Sharpe (books & dvd) warlord ,Grail Quest ,Starbuck et al & have recently started on the Saxon stories , which as per usual is impossible to put down, however as I am now half way through Lords of the North I was wondering if you had any idea when Sword Song is likely to be published in paperback? Many thanks Graeme Collins

Do you know when Sword Song is going to be available in paperback in the UK - I think it is already available in the US? Thanks
Julie Coulson

Love all your books and have read and listened to audiobooks of almost every publication...But, why would you allow Harper Audio to publish an, ughhh, abridged version of Sword Song. Abridgement is an abomination!!!! Any chance of seeing the full text in audiobook format some time soon? David Morton

I can't find your newest, The Sword Song, in CD unabridged format. Will it be released?
Marc Goldsmith

Dear Mr. Cornwell! While I am lucky to have detected your books while studying in the Boston area some years ago and enjoy them in their original English version, I am still surprised that there are - as far as I know - no German translation of the Sharpe and Starbuck novels into German language. Is there a particular reason for that, such as doubt from publishers into a demand in the German market for such books. Of course the Arthur saga has been translated and the Saxon stories which fit nicely into the gothic and mystic movements in Germany, but I personally believe in a market for Sharpe and Starbucks, especially if ever the Sharpe series would be shown in German eventually. Would be interested to know if you tried so far to get these books published in Germany and with what results. Cheerio from Munich Pat

The last line in the Sword Song says "and so Uhtred and his story will continue". Is this a hint that you are going to grace us with future books about Uhtred? Thank you for all the hours of entertainment. Frank

I just finished "Sword Song." Thanks again for a wonderful adventure. When can we expect the next installment? Is this series going to become as long as the Sharpe series? I certainly hope so. I keep hoping that in the next book Uhtred does not loose his hand. Thank again. I am looking forward to, "...and so Uhtred and his story will continue."
John Eaton

Hello! My name is Lindsey and I have only recently been turned on to your books. But this last week my life was consumed by the Warlord Chronicles, I ignored my friends, forgot to eat, smoked way too many cigarettes, and felt utterly bereft when I was finished. Until of course I did a little research and found out just how prolific you are! I cannot wait to read more, thank-you so much for your stories. And for your inspired character development, in the women especially I was impressed. I find that females in historical fiction can come off as a little one dimensional, fairly enough considering the time period and lack of rights, but yours are unerringly believable, complex, real people. I'm not hardcore in my feminism, but I find myself irked a little when every woman in a story is a sweet, obedient pushover or a total death bitch without gradation. There's a quote that particularly stood out to me. It was in Latin, Guinevere's description of Arthur from a book of poetry: "I hate, I love, It hurts." Do you recall where you found it? You've probably been asked before, I apologize if it's a repetitive question. But it's rare that so few words can be so apt and I keep thinking about it. Thank you again and great website!
Lindsey Craig