Bulletin Board

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I just completed Lords of the North, and I just wanted to thank you for another very enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to Sword Song. I was amused and gladdened by the prophecies regarding Uhtred's sons' and daughter's achievements, with the implied prediction that this will be a nice, long series. Like many, I was sorry to see the warlord series end, as it naturally did, with the death of Arthur, and am happy you are setting the groundwork for something more epic in length. Best wishes, Michael N.

Hi. I have read many of your books and think that they are excellent. I have been trying to find photos of Gawilghur Fort on the web, as have many others it would appear! Apart from your site there didn't at first appear to be any. You may be interested to know that there are in fact quite a few, but the search word to use is 'Gavilgarh' not 'Gawilghur'. The Maharashtra Tourism site is good. I hope this small piece of information is of interest to you and may help satisfy fans enquiring about such photos. Regards Simon Guy

Hi Bernard. Just thought I'd drop you a line to say that I'm about half way through Sword Song and it is (as expected) fantastic. Really enjoying the Uhtred series. Keep up the good work! Mike

Dear Bernard, I bought my copy of SWORD SONG today at Waterstones in Oxford Street at 9.54am August 30. Not bad for a book not published 'till September 3. It has a huge display in the entrance; you can't go into the shop without seeing. A better job done than those who did the marketing for Sharpe's Fury, which was a well kept secret. Once more unto the breech, great author. Regards, Lee Menzies

Dear Mr Cornwell The Sharpe series has just finished a well deserved run on UKTV a UK digital channel. Having missed a couple on the first showings, can I say how much I enjoyed them. And they were almost true to the books! Sean Bean's was Sharpe and all the supporting actors, especially Darah O'Mally, John Tamm and Jason Salkey were a real plus to the series. All I can say is, More, More! Brian.

Dear Mr Cornwell, I just wanted to contact you to say thank you. All of your Sharpe books have brought me hours of great pleasure. I started them just before my AS exams and had to stop but the great joy of my A2s being over was heightened by the fact that I would be able to finish the series. I have read every book and am on my second go through, Sharpe's Gold was my favourite! I have read all of the Saxon stories and thoroughly enjoyed them and eagerly look forward to the newest installment! I am currently in the process of ordering the first of the Arthur books and the Grail Quest. I just wanted you to know the hours of great pleasure that I have gained from reading your books, I only wish there were more of the Sharpe adventures! Thank you again so much, Charlotte (Charlie) Goudge.

Would you please be so kind as to pass onto Mr. Cornwell my heartfelt thanks. I am a new author, my book was published today, and I owe a debt to him. First, he has posted some very good advice for authors on the web. Some items such as his response to how much research do you need? which was 'Justt enough and no more', might sound trite but I understood him at once. It helped enormously. His other tips on writing were just as sound and highly useful. Second, my book is historical fiction, Mr. Cornwell's primary motif. I was influenced by and included a version of what he called 'dabbling in magic' or as I put it, magic that is 'plausibly deniable', Strange events long ago might or might not be magical, but they can certainly help a story. Only after I had completed my manuscript did I realize I also used the device of an old man thinking back upon his adventurous life, which Mr. Cornwell used in his Grail books. This was inadvertent on my part, but then Mr. Cornwell did not exactly invent that format of story telling. Still, he is an influential writer, and I may have unconsciously mirrored that technique. Third, when I wrote to Mr. Cornwell asking about agents he, or at least one of his people responded, and responded courteously. I appreciated that very much as it is, alas, not the normal treatment would-be authors usually receive. Thank you for your encouragement. If he is interested he can see a synopsis of my book online at http://www.authorhouse.com/BookStore/BookStoreSearchResults.aspx?SearchType=smpl&SearchTerm=Thos.+Pinney Should he be interested I would be delighted to send him a complimentary copy. After all, I have enjoyed his writing for years; perhaps he would find my efforts entertaining. Should he read it I would value any comments he might have. It might be too late for *this* book but the sequel is already written. I made the same mistake many new authors do I let my story run on; it was just so interesting to me. Later I found that >500k word manuscripts are a bit much for publication. But it is not too late to listen to any offered advice. Finally, should Mr. Cornwell ever be in Texas, (better make that the Greater Houston area, Texas is a big state) I would be delighted to stand him a pint of whatever beverage he should desire. That is the advantage of being a good author you have friends all over the world. Thomas Pinney

I am in love with Richard Sharpe. PLEASE, more books about him. Thank you. Bettie Kimmel

Many years ago I read the Starbuck books while on a rather long aircraft trial in Canada - 6 winter months . I still consider the Starbuck novels to be the most enjoyable of all your series (they are all good) At the time I contacted you and asked the obvious "When will the next one be produced". Since you still do not seem to know yet when /if this will happen can I implore you to continue with Starbuck rather than Sharpe(for the time being at least). Ultimately however please just continue to write whatever takes your fancy since I enjoy all your novels, re-reading them regularly. Best Wishes Peter James

Dear Bernard Cornwell I recently read your book the winter king, and enjoyed it very much. One thing though, which I don't know if it is due to the translation into Danish, but as a blacksmith I found the description of the making of swords very hard to swallow.. one cannot cast a sword, they are forged from steel. Cast iron is an invention of the industrial revolution, and thus only a couple of hundred years old. Subsequently one cannot melt a sword into liquid metal, at least not then. In my eyes the story suffers greatly from the lack of this basic knowledge, that I'm sure any bladesmith will be able to tell you much more about. best wishes Jokum Lind Jensen