Your Questions

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I just finished reading Sharpe's Skirmish and I greatly enjoyed it. However, in the introduction it seemed as if you regretted writing it. Is this the case? Also, any plans to write anymore short stories involving any of your characters? I really enjoy getting the quick pick-me-up when I read your two Sharpe short stories.

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

Well, I regretted the slight fuss it caused in some parts of the book trade in the UK . . . and it was supposed to be a freebie and was being sold instead. I don't regret the story! And yes, I have other Sharpe short stories in mind . . . but don't know when they'll be written.

Q

Dear Bernard, I was just wondering if you had read any of the Matthew Hawkwood novels written by James McGee? He's a Bow Street Runner who was previously an army Captain in the Rifles and served in the Peninsular. They are very good. Nick Grant

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

Thank you very much for the recommendation! I hadn't heard of the books, but I'll find them! Thanks!

Q

I remember last year, around this time, you released a passage from 'Lords of the North' to wet our apetites, and I was wondering if you would be releasing a passage from the 4th book in the Saxon Stories series to keep us fed and waiting for more. Thanks, Jon.

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

Soon - hopefully!

Q

Dear Sir, I have written you before about your wonderful 'Sharpe' series. I have read these books since I was in jr high some years ago. I have seen you anglo-saxon stories but have never read them until this week. I picked up 'The Last Kingdom' hard cover which was on sale at Chapters Canada. I have finished read it and enjoyed it very much and am now ordering the second book in the series. One thing I don't understand is why your publishing company has not re-released any of your earlier books in hard cover? I know they are bound to sell, esp the Sharpe series. Please call them up and tell them to get their act together. After all CC Humphreys just had his first book 'Jack Absloute' re-released in hard cover. cheers Ed Whelan (Canada)

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

It might happen - - we do sometimes think about it. It's a business decision, and really it's best left to the publisher. But the idea is not a total impossibility and I will mutter it in their ears again.

Q

Hello Mr Cornwell. Can you please tell me how does a writer feel? important? special? just like the other people? Joanna

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

Laughing. Grumpy in the morning, and usually much better after some medicinal whiskey in the evening (Jameson Irish, please). No, not special! Please!!!!!!! And not in the least important! Privileged? Yes, because I get paid to do what I want to do. Lucky? Enormously! It probably depends on the writer . . . I have met some who think the job imbues them with godlike qualities, but I hope there's no trace of that in me. I think I had a huge stroke of luck in becoming a writer, and have been grateful ever since, and simply enjoy doing it!

Q

I am currently writing a book about three people who end up coming together in the midst of the napoleonic wars - I was influenced greatly by Sharpe, and was wondering whether you will ever think of writing in that era again but with a different character - or Sharpe not as the main one?

Also are there any more Starbuck installments on the way and do you know whether you will turn any more books into films?
William Swain

Submitted May 18, 2007

A

I might, don't know! Maybe a few years from now? Honestly don't know, but I have flirted with the idea.

No more Starbuck just yet. I'm not a filmmaker, so it's up to someone else to do it, but I'd be happy to see it happen!

Q

When will you be publishing MORE of the Starbuck Chronicles please as I have just finished The Bloody Ground. You cannot leave us all hanging in limbo for the next episodes. Forever. More PLEASE. John

Please finish the Starbuck chronicles.
Steve Hardy

Hello Bernard! I must first say thank you for your entertaining books. I particularly enjoyed the Saxon stories and look forward to the next adventure of Uhtred. I also enjoyed the Arthur books. My 14 year old son has also read the Saxon stories and has just begun the Arthur books. I have just finished the Starbuck Chronicles and was pleased to read at the end of The Bloody Ground that Starbuck would write again and hopefully get some revenge for Blythe and Gillespie! I was then dismayed to find that The Bloody Ground is more 10-years old or so and there is yet no further adventures! What am I to do? Having watched the Sharp series, I am reluctant to read the books, especially as I didn't like the last special made for TV as I thought it was not produced (by the tv people) to anywhere near the same standard as the initial series. Anyway, when or are you going to write a Starbuck 5? Also, when will the Saxon Stories continue? I have read virtually all your books in a space of a year! and appreciate that it took you much longer than that to write them. Many thanks. Steve Massey

I have thoroughly enjoyed every book you have written. I got started off on Sharpe, then quickly got into Arthur Chronicles, Thomas of Hookton, and have reread all of them more than once. My favorites are the Starbuck series and I really hope you do write another to take him to the end of the war and beyond maybe? Also, your Saxon series, (Uhtred)is the one I really love, I am in the process of finishing Lords of the North and really hope you write another in this series. I am a military officer and these books have provided a few moments of "get away" time while serving in the desert. Thanks again for the many well written books and I sincerely hope for many more! Jerry Bratu

Could you please advise me when your next book in the Saxon Stories will be available in the UK? A great read for me. Do please continue with this series. Thank you in advance. Sylvia Kingsgate

Submitted May 17, 2007

A

I hope to get back to Starbuck before too long - but I have a few other things I'd like to do first.

The next Saxon story should be available in October.

Q

I have enjoyed many of your books especially the Archer series and The Saxon Stories. Question ! Will the next installment of the Saxon Series be out soon ? I am waiting for the next adventure of Uthred in his quest to get back his home. Harald Stavenas

Is there a sequel to 'The Lords Of The North'?

Jack Case

Dear Mr Cornwell. It seems an age since your last new book and serious withdrawal symptoms have set in. What's next and how soon?

Roger Gaspar

Hello Mr. Cornwell. It is very good of you to get back to me if you do. Finished the last book in the Saxon series, gotta say that Uthred is awesome and I've really enjoyed them. Aching to know what happens next. Please write more books on it because i think they are great and I want to know whether he gets Bebbanburg and alsorts. The third book was such a cliff-hanger to what would happen next. Thanks for the hours of reading pleasure

Chris Stroud

make more saxon books. Jesse

When will we get the next book in the Saxon stories? I've read The Lords of The North and can't wait for the next one.
Judy Fitzwater

Submitted May 15, 2007

A

The fourth book of the Saxon stories - Sword Song - should be available in October.

Q

I've just finished reading "Sharpe's Rifles", and I wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed reading your books. I finished reading the Thomas of Hookton series, and not only learned more history, but found new admiration for the bravery of the soldiers of the past. It seems to me that your research is immaculate, and that you have a passion for the subjects you write about. I used to feel that Dorothy Dunnett was my favorite historical fiction writer, and I'm curious if you've read her works, especially the "Lymond" series of historical novels? Your fan, Andrew

Submitted May 14, 2007

A

I have, and loved them! A long time ago, though, and I should renew my acquaintance!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Thank you very much for creating Sharpe!! I have a couple of questions, how far would someone have got with escapades like Sharpe's in the real army? Even though most of them start of with some official sanctioning I suspect that they would have ended in Court Martial and a firing squad?

Secondly, what do you think Harper would have made of the current situation in Ireland? Many thanks, Simon.

Submitted May 14, 2007

A

One would devoutly hope so! Mind you, success breeds a great deal of immunity and, of course, by saving Wellington's life, Sharpe has earned a good deal of latitude! But I suspect he would have been stamped on quite hard in real life (though he's a difficult man to squash!).

Harper would be a Republican, of that I've no doubt at all (and quite right too!). I have no idea whether he would have joined the Provisionals, my own feeling is that he would have been a 'sticky' (Official IRA), but that could be wishful thinking.