Your Questions

Are you planning a book detailing Will Skeat's early battles? If so when do you think it would enter into your plans?
Ben Ixer

Thank you for letting us contact you directly, and so easily. I just finished reading (actually listening to) The Bloody Ground. As an aside, my wife and I have an on-going debate. I say that a book listened to is a book read--just as if it were read in Braille, but she says that it doesn't count as a book that has been read. I've also read the first three volumes in the Starbuck series, and was looking forward to the next volume. So, I went to the library, but there does not seem to be another book in the series. So, I'm writing to ask if there is a fifth volume, and I'm just missing it; or, if so far, that's it. If that's it, are you planning another story in the series? I vote yes, if I get a vote. Can't let Billy Bligh get away. In any event, you've given me an exceptionally enjoyable reading (listening (?)) experience. Thanks again.
Nate Edelstein

I've read everything you've written, as far as I know and simply wanted to say you're the BEST, and that's from a historical fiction maniac. Which are your favorite authors aside from the obvious. Steve

Hi, I'm from Brazil, and here you only have six books at the bookstores, so I want to know what are these 'Sharpe books' and if you are going to write some other great and long story like 'the Grail Quest' and 'the Arthur books'. I really appreciate your books, and you are my favorite writer...but I also love the Tolkien books.Thanks for the attention and sorry for the terrible english. Rodrigo

Dear Mr Cornwell I'm interested to note that someone recently asked whether you had considered writing about the Duke of Marlborough's campaigns in the same way as you've written about Wellington's campaigns through Sharpe and you said you had thought about it. I really hope you do because I'd love to learn about Marlborough as I've learnt about Wellington and I definitely don't know of anyone else who's done it. I recently thought about researching Marlborough and seeing if I can write about him myself but I'm working on a raher large project at the moment with at least one other planned in the future and I also realised that writing about historical battles is a lot harder than you make it appear! So I hope you will write about Marlborough one day. Then again I'm looking forward to more of the Uhtred story because I really enjoyed The Last Kingdom (I wish Ragnar hadn't died though). I'm also hoping to see more of Rider Sandman one day and of course I can't resist any future Sharpes! One of the really interesting things in The Last Kingdom is the historical note at the end - I thought the mention of your ancestors was particularly interesting. I think it always adds more interest to a subject if you know of a connection like that. If only we could all have ancestors with interesting history... One question - how does the AE in a name alter the pronunciation? One last thing, I wondered if you'd read Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarfk, the story of two magicians in Regency era England? I really enjoyed this book though sadly there wasn't as much about Strange assisting Wellington in his campaigns as I would have liked. Marie

I have not read all your books but the ones I have, I enjoyed. My favourite was the Heretic trilogy. Have you written any books on the templars or the crusades? Also if you are looking for a good book to read try "Eagle in the Snow" by W. Breem. Conor McHugh

You mention a lot of religions and write a lot of different languages in your book. Do you extensively study these languages or just learn a few lines from them? The religions; are they invented or were most of them real? Michael

Hello again, Mr. Cornwell. Here's another question: Why didn't you permanently hook Sharpe up with La Marquesa at the end of "Sharpe's Honor"? Even with all her divided loyalties, she can't possibly have been any worse for him than Jane turned out to be. If you ever choose to slightly alter Sharpe's chronology and tell the story of Sharpe at the siege of San Sebastian, I hope that Helene will make another appearance. Alan Kempner (P.S.) And PLEASE, Mr. Cornwell, write the next Sharpe (Barossa) in '06, not '07.

Dear Mr Cornwall I have just read your book The Last Kingdom and I loved it. I was just wondering though if you are going to have the famous legend of Alfred and the cakes? I was also wondering if you had the words to any songs such as the war song of Belli mwar from the Arthur books? Jack Bullen

hello and happy new year! and yes I am a frog a real one with an ancesor (at least ) fighting "on the other side"... I read all the Sharpes and got my hands on the videos (I first saw one on a trip to the US!) all Starbuck and Redcoat..not yet a medieval story.Obviously I like your works. I am always curious of how it is done and like hundreds who get in touch I suppose, I am a would be author! well one day. How many books do you do per year? how long does it takes ? how many do you sell? (I don't work for the blood suckers ie revenue...) as usual I was a bit disapointed when I saw the TV Sharpe : Sean Bean is a good Sharpe I think but Harper does not fit well : he is too small, and the "company" is way too small. I think they did not have enough people. It looks a bit silly to see Nosey with 3 aides 12 tents 24 highlanders and 20 redcoats. Well I suppose it's the way of european tv and films. I wonder how you can get more Sharpe done. It's a bit like the naval writers, when the ogre is gone.. it's peace. I think you can do a lot more on India. (these could sell in French I suppose) anyway well done and keep going! jc