Your Questions

Q

Just finished reading The Last Kingdom, an excellent tale and I look forward to the next book. The storylines in the books of yours that I have read are similar to each other, which I don't mind at all, does this mirror your life the way that you have achieved success by starting from the bottom and working your way to the top of the literary food chain? Your books are amazing and the come down after reading them and waiting for the next in the series is practically unbearable but I am a glutton for punishment and the next books are always worth the wait. Thank you, Jason Vernon.

Submitted July 26, 2005

A

I honestly don't know whether the plots reflect my life. It isn't something I think about (though I obviously should). I think, on the whole, that I've been extraordinarily privileged - and most of my characters probably are not. Dunno. Lousy answer, sorry, but the best I can do.

Q

Mr. Cornwell I am a fan of the Sharpe books. But the TV series disappoint. I watched the first three episodes and they don't seem to fill-out your charactors or stories.. Curious what grade you would give the TV series, and whether someone like director Ridley Scott or actor/director Mel Gibson might do a better job telling Sharpe stories. Best DW

Submitted July 26, 2005

A

If Mel Gibson was in it then Sharpe would lose. If Ridley Scott directed then it would be multicultural heaven. I'm happier with the series as it is.

Q

Are we going to follow any more adventures of Thomas of Hookton? Frank Casey

Submitted July 22, 2005

A

The Grail Quest series is done. Thomas of Hookton may be back, but not anytime soon.

Q

Sorry to bother you but can you tell me if you have any book signings coming up in the south of England? Thank you. Rachel

Submitted July 21, 2005

A

I don't know yet, is the answer. There will likely be a book tour for the release of The Pale Horseman, but we have no schedule for it yet. Keep your eye on the Diary page as all appearances will be posted there.

Q

Mr Cornwell, I was just wondering if there will ever be a series based on the war of the roses. Thanks for your great books! Christian

Submitted July 21, 2005

A

I'm not planning anything on the Wars of the Roses

Q

Dear Bernard, I've read many of your books, but this last one of yours, The Last Kingdom, was just great! I LOVED IT!!! I see the next one will be released in October in Britain but not until January in the USA. Why the three month wait? I'm sorry but I just can't wait for The Pale Horseman to come out! And finally, will this be a trilogy? Thanks and keep up the great stories! Wayne

Submitted July 21, 2005

A

I wish I knew how many books will be in the series, but more than three and probably less than twelve is about all I can tell you. I see it as a decade's work, at least, but I can assure you that they will be written in chronological order! Why the difference in the publishing times in the UK and the US? - I don't know! It's a decision made by the publishers, not me.

Q

2 questions 1) Will you be writing any more Sharpe books? 2) How about Sharpe meeting Horatio Hornblower? Thanks and good luck. Elihu Davison

Dear Sir I would like to know if you have started to write a new Sharpe's book and if so when do you think it will be releasedS? Thank you for your time T.D. Young

Dear Sir I started by watching Sharpe on tv, This made me want to read the books they were based on, (bearing in mind that my reading matter until then usually consisted of aliens and spaceships). Hooked is not to strong a term to use to decribe what has happened to me since then, I have read virtually every book you have written, My particular favourites now are the Arthur chronicles, However I really do love them all. Since then I have even read non fiction mostly about the penninsular war (Mark Urbans' Rifles was a pleasure). I have now started upon the Aubrey Maturin series by Patrick O'brian, actually I'm up to book eight. Have you read Mr O'brian (if yes, how on earth do you find the time)? Now for the boring part, Are there to be any more Sharpe novels? as there are only twelve more Aubrey novels left I only have so much reading left. Thank you for the hours of pleasure you have given to me and my wife, Oh yes I am really really looking forward to the new Uthred book, I am sorry to be selfish but please don't stop writing cos we love em. Yours Steve Hulme

Submitted July 19, 2005

A

I will be writing more Sharpe books, but I haven't started a new one yet. Most likely one will not be out until 2007.

It's not likely that Sharpe and Hornblower will meet - it would prove to be a copyright nightmare.

Q

Bernard, This is the umpteenth time I have written to you and can I say thankyou for always taking the time and trouble to answer my questions. I have a couple more on slightly different subjects. First, despite many scrapes and one or two near misses, inparticular in Sharpes Fortress which I have just finished reading, Sharpe lived happily ever after. Did you ever consider killing him off at the end? He could have died a hero, had a fantastic send off and we would still have had the same outcome - no more Sharpes after 'Devil'. Secondly, do you have any say in the book tours. I would like nothing better than to have a book signed by yourself but you never seem to come to Yorkshire. Have a a word with the organisers and please come to Doncaster or Sheffield on your next UK visit. Regards, Barry Evans, Doncaster, UK

Submitted July 19, 2005

A

I don't really approve of killing off heroes. Dead men pay no mortgages!

I'll see what I can do about the next UK book tour.

Q

Mr. Cornwell, I was wondering if we would ever hear from Sharpe's daughter Antonia, again, in any future books? Once again, thank you for your time. David DeForest

Submitted July 19, 2005

A

Not sure, but I never say never...

Q

Dear Mr Cornell I was just wandering if you had ever seen or played any of the Total War games. The reason I say this is that the concept of the game may appeal to you and most of your readers, there are 3 games at this time Shogun Total War, Medieval Total War and Rome Total War which was used in the BBC program Time Commanders. The main concept of the game is controlling Armies on battlefields form the eras the name of the game suggests, as there are parts of medieval that remind me so much of Thomas Of Hooktons exploits in France. Anyway I just wanted to know if you had ever seen then and if you had what you thought about them. Thanks, James Russell

Submitted July 19, 2005

A

No I haven't but it sounds like fun.