Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I would like to know the status of the "Archer" series. It is obvious from the last book that the saga is yet unfinished. Am I wrong? Please respond at your earliest convenience. Alexander of Sanctuary

Dear Bernard, I am a 15 year old boy and have read most of your Sharpe books. I was just wondering have you any plans on writing more books about Thomas of Hookton? And please don't stop writing as your books are great. Yours Sincerely, Connor

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

The search for the Grail is finished, but Thomas might be back for another adventure...

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, Two questions. 1) I was wondering if we'll ever see what happened to Sharpe's daughter Antonia? 2) If you had any plans for Sharpe that take place after "Sharpe's Devil", such as going back to Spain for the Carlist War. Thanks, Darren Ivey

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

1) Antonia? I'm sure she lived happily ever after...

2) No plans for that at the moment.

Q

Hi Bernard I read some months ago that you use ordnance survey maps when writing. Do you use 1:250,000 (or 1 inch to 4 miles), 1:25,000 (or 1 inch to 1 mile), or a smaller scale? Thanks. I've read all your books and I am looking forward to the new one. James

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

Use them all! Six inch, one inch and two and half inch maps (sorry, I'm old fashioned). Also use vintage ordnance survey maps. I have the whole of Britain on two DVDs (1:50,000). Use any maps. I have shelves of maps and a huge map wall - maps are a novelist's secret weapon. Every time I travel I come home with another bagful of the things.

Q

Dear Bernard, I remember reading how you had worked as a journalist in Northern Ireland, and I can imagine how dark the situation must have been in those days, for all involved. I don't know if you still follow developments there, from the States. But if you do, I was wondering what you made of this week's announcement that the IRA had decommissioned all its weaponry. You must have a better feel for these things, borne out of your experience. Is it, as the Irish and British Prime Ministers are declaring, a new dawn in the troubled history of these islands? I am an Irishman myself, and I dearly hope so. But I have never worked in Northern Ireland, and I am too young to remember most of its horrors. I would sincerely value your opinion on this new development, because you at least 'were there' and you've known that province of Ulster in person. Thanks a lot.
Paul Reid

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

I think it's a wonderful development! And also a realistic one because, I suspect, the IRA has long understood that it was bashing on an open door. The British, to be honest, don't want to be in Ulster, but so long as the protestant majority wants them there, there they have to be, but I suspect the British government will be hugely relieved when demographic changes deliver a majority vote for Ireland's unification. Expect trouble from the protestants then. It ain't over!

Q

As a former member of the US Army I really enjoyed and appreciated your Sharpe series of books. Having studied British military history I know that the British Army has produced some of the finest infantry formations in history and many of the regiments have approached legendary status. I was curious if you had ever given any thought to writing a novel involving a young soldier fighting in WW 1 or WW 2 that could trace his family tree to Sharpe as a great grand-father and that legacy producing a bias against him as he tries to build a career in the British Army? Bill Dews

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

I fear I have no taste at all for writing about WWI or II. Don't know why. Just not there, so I suspect your excellent suggestion will have to be done by somneone else!

Q

Please explain the meaning of words SEPT and SEPTS. In Fallen Angels Page 384 Paperback 2005, Lines 5 & 6. Roger Youden

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

A sept is a subdivision of a clan or group.

Q

Hello, I really enjoyed reading your Warlord series and am about to start the Grail Quest series (as soon as my order comes in). I was wondering if you might be able to suggest any other authors that write historical fiction similar to your stories (that are obtainable in the U.S.). Regards and thank you for many hours of enjoyment. Christopher Nielsen, Brookfield, Wisconsin USA

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

Click on the link for the 'Reading Club' (at the top of this page) for loads of suggestions.

Q

Have just finished the last of my brother's dvd compilation and have to say that the stories are great. But while Sean Bean is ok as Sharpe, Daragh O'Malley was the one that kept me watching the whole series. Is he American or Irish? Dei Victoria

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

The wonderful actor, Darah O'Malley, was born in Limerick, Ireland. To learn more about him, go to The Sharpe Appreciation Society website (www.southessex.co.uk) and click on Cast and Crew Bios.

Q

Thanks for the great novels. I have been enjoying yours for several years now. I am also a fan of Jack Whyte's and am curious if you have had similar problems as he does when it comes to U.S. publishers tending to "dumb down" novels for the American public? I have already placed my order for "The Pale Horseman" from Amazon-UK. Mainly because I don't think I can wait until January for the U.S. release and secondly in the event that the novel may have been changed from what you originally intended/wrote. Whyte also has a novel out in November, "The Eagle" which I pre-ordered from Canada for the same reasons. Thanks again for the great novels! Bart Howard

Submitted October 4, 2005

A

I haven't had those problems - about the only thing the American publishers do is change the spelling.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell: I have another thought concerning the Starbuck Chronicles whenever you finally get back to them. I know this is a LONG way off, Nate hasn't even reached the midpoint of the war, but I think at some point, Starbuck should meet Abraham Lincoln. Perhaps an encounter with this truly great and good man will ease the bitterness of ultimately being on the losing side. Maybe you could weave a final Starbuck tale around Lincoln's assasination? Alan Kempner

Submitted October 2, 2005

A

The awful thing is that the next Starbuck is all researched and the basic story laid out and, strangely enough, Starbuck does meet Lincoln in it. Why don't I write it then? I think because I need to see a time period long enough to know I can write four or five Starbucks in succession, and that isn't now. But soon, I hope.