Your Questions

Q

Mr. Bernard, sorry about my english, but I´m brazilian. I loved too much your "The Arthur Books", they are wonderful. And, by reading them, I noticed the excellent movies that could be based on Arthur stories. They reminded me "The lord of Rings". Please, send your books to make a magnificent trilogy, like Peter Jackson did with Tolkien's stories. Why not Peter Jackson himself ?? Thank You, Fabio Valente, a brazilian phisician, 38 years old.

A

Thanks you! I suspect, however, the films may prove too costly to make.


Q

Any idea of when there will be the follow on from the lords of the north? Tim Harris

I wanted to take the time to say, What a wonderful story teller you are!. I have only read "the Saxon Stories". But I have not been able to put any of them down, some times I will read them twice when I get them so I don't miss anything. I have not had time to investigate all of your books, but I intend to try. When is the sequel for "The Lords of the North" going to make it to Canada?. I truly love your books, I am fascinated with the history involved with Vikings invading England I have Family history there. Your Books make me think of what My long lost ancestors might have been up to At that time. Once again Thank you for publishing your stories, and PLEASE PLEASE Keep writing without wax Lindsay Thurgood

Hi...just a quick question...do you think that there will be a 4th book in the Saxon Stories? I was soooo in love with the character Uhtred and I have never read any book like this, I usually stick to corny love stories or thrillers but now I am all for your types of novels and have gotten everyone in my family turned on to them (i.e: The Grail quest and Arthur books.) Anyway, "Lord's of the North" ended with the possibility of a 4th novel and I was just curious if my hunch was right? Thank you so much for your great storytelling and incredible insight! Nicole

A

Yes, there will be a fourth book, to be called Sword Song. We hope to have it published in the UK and Canada in October and in the US next January.


Q

Hey Mr. Cornwell I've read the Saxon stories and I've just finished reading Nate Starbuck's chronicles and I was wondering if you have plans for writing another book on Starbuck's series? Thanks For your attention, thank you, Armando

A

Yes, I hope to get back to Starbuck before too long!


Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, As a writer and reader I love all things historic; Fiction or Non-Fiction. That being said I am still a relative newbie to your novels thus far. I have been reveling through your Saxon series lately and have enjoyed them immensely. I took a break from them this month to read your "Stonehenge", which absolutely floored me! And that's a good thing ;-) I found the entire thing completely captivating from start to finish. My compliments, sir! Have you ever considered writing about a non-European culture in any of your books? Say, for example, the disappearance of the Mayans or perhaps a story set amidst one of the ancient Chinese dynasties? I think you would be quite good at it! Thank you! Jeff from Indiana ~

A

If I did I would lie down until the temptation passed. I'm steeped in British and, to a lesser extent, American and European history and really don't see any advantage in tackling subjects I don't know, or don't feel comfortable with. You write what you want to read! It's my loss, of course, but I'm getting too old to change.


Q

Hi... I'm a real big fan of your "Saxon" novels and I'm dieing for the next installment. I also have a question for you... you mentioned that Hild from "Lords of the North" became a saint. By any chance is she a composite of other saints named Hild? I went to the Catholic website but there was no St. Hildegyth only Hilds and a Hildreth (who was a man). I was just wondering if you could clear that up? Thanks and keep up the good work.. P.S. can't wait till the new "Saxon" novel comes out Uhtred rocks!! David Barnsin

A

Did I say that? It was fiction if I did, though there was a famous Abbess Hild. There isn't a huge stock of Saxon names to choose from, and an especial dearth of womens' names, so I think the confusion arose there.


Q

Dear Mr Cornwell, I've just finished writing a book. Excepting a few minor things I need to check it's entirely finished. I was wondering if there is some sort of standard format that manuscripts should take? (At 12pt Times New Roman I get 550-600 words per A4 page, which seems rather a lot). Also, I've not yet begun agent-hunting, and if you know of any agents interested in the fantasy genre and could help me make contact I'd be very grateful (I know you don't write fantasy, so this is a long shot, but I thought it worth a try). Many thanks for your assistance with this, and for writing so many good books (especially the Warlord Chronicles). Richard

A

Double space it! That's more or less it! Really! Add page numbering, spellcheck, send off, pour a whiskey. You're done. (Sorry, I don't know any agents in the fantasy genre. Did you check the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook?) Good luck!


Q

Mr. Cornwell, I discovered your series while searching the bookstore for, medieval to Greek, history books. Some of my favorite authors are Stephen Pressfield(Gates of Fire, Last of the Amazons), George Martin, and Jack Whyte and his Camulod series. After Archer's tale I was hooked like a fish. I've continued to read through that series and into the Saxon series, as well as Stonehenge. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. I am inspired by you to write my own novel for my own amusement. I would appreciate it if you would recommend any informative websites or books that would help me in my quest. I am looking for medieval British, Roman, Greek, Macedonian, or any other history around that time period. You would be doing me a huge favor, but you already did that by writing your stories. And no matter what book you write next whether it be a grail quest series(Please) or a Saxon book I know you will do an amazing job as usual. Thanks.
Matt Bunch

A

Look for the Osprey series - www.ospreypublishing.com - they're great books to start with and the bibliographies will guide you onto other books. I really do not trust most websites, so can't recommend any.


Q

I am currently reading Copperhead. It's a great read. I noticed that one of the characters, Col Lassan, sure does have some familiar sounding parents. I think that is a nice tie in that only your fans and not a casual reader would pickup on. Thank you for giving us that. At one point it lists some of Col Lassan's wounds. Have you ever thought of continuing the Sharpe tale with that of his son? I truly wish that you would. H. Shane Scroggins

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I finished reading the Starbuck series and while I was reading I had to laugh out loud when I found that Starbuck had run into Patrick, the son of Lucille and Sharpe--Bravo! I noticed that he had a scar like his father, a personality like Harper, and an eye patch like Fredrickson--did that just evolve or was it on purpose. Are you planning on doing any books that involve the wars he participated in?

Also just finished reading the Lords of the North. Wonderful--love following Uthred's adventures. Now I only have The Grail Quest series left to read. I have to wait a week for them to come in from the bookstore. So now I'm worried about what will happen when I finish those. Final question--what book are you currently working on--I checked What's Coming but nothing is listed. Sorry to want you to write nonstop like so many of your other fans--but I really can't get enough. Thanks for keeping us entertained. Janice Lewis

A

Well, it was on purpose! But I doubt I'll write any books about Patrick Lassan, not because I don't like him, but simply because I have too many other books in mind (and have to finish Starbuck too!)

I am close to finishing the fourth book of Uhtred's story. We hope to get it up on 'What's Coming' soon!


Q

Hey Bernard, I just finished Excalibur and loved it. Are you through with the series? the mouse lord must die! p.s your saxon tales have inspired me to grow a beard. Jimmy Dowell

Hi Bernard I like many others immensely enjoyed your Arthur novels I find the amount of people asking for a further book amusing however have you ever considered writing a Arthurian novel told from the viewpoint of one of the other main characters? Perhaps Merlin he seemed to disappear for large chunks of the trilogy, maybe he scribbled down some notes before he met his demise or perhaps Lancelot/Mordred/Galahad felt it necessary to confess any sins they had in the written form perhaps to a willing scribe or monk. I would also add my vote for a solo novel for Harper as well if you have time and your muse is willing.

On a final note, do you have any plans for a book tour in the UK when Sword Song is released?

And have you ever had chance to enjoy the beautiful Snowdon national park? Best wishes Phil

A

No, sorry. I'm through with Arthur! I loved writing those three books, really loved it, but to go back would be to court disappointment! So, sorry, it's not going to happen!

Don't know yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Many many times! When the world was young I used to stay in an amazing cottage in Beddgelert and, before that, when the world was new-born and still full of hope, I spent weeks and weeks in a remote cottage hard underneath the beautiful mountain called Cnicht, and still have a delicate watercolour of that peak hanging in my office. Happy, long-gone days!


Q

Dear Bernard, I eagerly await you new novel. After reading all of yours, I read all of John Sandford's and now need more fodder. I attended and competed in the Nationals of the North South skirmish association last weekend. One of the divisions of the competition was the firing of cannons. The Parrot rifles were incredibly accurate, their cannon balls cutting into the same hole time after time. The range of the Parrot rifles was something in access of two miles, with the British built Whitworth gun it was even longer range. My question is why didn't Robert E. Lee see the danger to Picketts division and the other units of Pickett's Charge on Day 3 of Gettysburg? A mile and 1/2 of open ground to cover to come to grips with Hancocks command should have seemed like a suicidal proposition to a rational mind. Your thoughts on Marsh Roberts decision- making process on 2,3 July 1863?
Bob Long

A

I suspect only Robert E Lee can answer your question! But . . . .I assume he felt the attack was necessary, he doubtless hoped his own artillery would neutralise the northern guns, and I wonder whether, in the heat of battle, the artillery was as accurate as it is in competition? They're firing through a vast veil of smoke, the ammunition is probably not the finest, the guns are worn, they're under fire themselves and assailed by all the chaos and confusion of battle. Hindsight tells us it was a mistake, but my guess is necessity drove the decision because the devil was in the driving seat!