Your Questions

Dear Mr.Cornwell, I greatly admire your work, and your pre-gunpowder era books series are among my favorite readings (though I must confess I haven't picked up any Sharpe books seriously yet). As I am currently re-reading the Grail Quest series, a thought occurred to me. And no, I'm not going to ask about sequels :) I noticed the variety of characters' backgrounds leading the story; there are Frenchmen, Scots, Bretons and English (if I didn't miss anyone). That, in my opinion, greatly contributes to the overall pacing of the story and makes the narrative rich with the conflicting cultures that we accompany. It made me think that seeing an adventure that revolved around a different culture might be interesting. My next thought was that it could be a great narrative if you would write about Joan of Arc. She's a great character that has a story that is surrounded by myth and religion, a great story about leading people against all odds, prejudice and vast armies. I'd definitely be very interested in seeing how you would write your version of that story. Meanwhile, I can't wait for Sword Song to come out, the Saxon series being another great read. Best Regards, Guilherme E. Goulart, from Brazil.

Hello Bernard, I am a huge fan of the Grail series and an even bigger fan of the Warlord Chronicles. I loved reading Warlord so much, I've read the three, three times through already. I especially enjoy the spin you put on Lancelot in your version. Over the years, and all the other versions books, movies etc., I' ve grown very tired of Lancelot's character and have grown to dislike his character and all he stands for. What I'm trying to say is that it thrilled me to read how much of a sissy boy you made him out to be in Warlord. It was most excellent reading every part. I believe Warlord is the best Arthur series since Le Morte de Arthur, your astonishing work on bringing the story back form the Dark Ages. Do you ever get any requests to have someone purchase the movie or for you to write a screenplay for it?? I think it would be one of the best trilogies ever, someone like Peter Jackson (LOTR) could do it. What do you think?? Big Fan, Chris Miller

I loved the Arthur series, and am currently enjoying the Saxon books. Hope you do something similar about Harold Godwinson?
Anthony Walton

I have just started reading the Starbuck Chronicles having unsuccessfully done so for the last ten years. However, I have just finished reading Copperhead now and I think this series is by far the best I've read, outweighing anything of the Sharpe series to date! This is hard for me to say as I think Sharpe is brilliant too. I can't wait to read Battle Flag or The Bloody Ground, and I am really disappointed that no more have been written. Is a new Starbuck novel imminent? Andrew Mann

As an American fan why do your books come out in the UK before the states? I have to order from Amazon UK.. I have been a fan for years and you are a great writer--thank you for writing. William Padgett

Dear Mr Cornwell, I loved Sharpe and so did my son who gained an interest in reading from the series.The saxon series is just a great read, hope it goes on as long as Sharpe. Just one observation, there seemed to be a lot of unanswered questions in the Arthur saga, I was almost expecting another book to relate what happened after he died? Anyway I don't know how you do it but the books are better than tv and compete against sex some evenings. Best regards, Tom Faux

I have really enjoyed reading you Sharpe series. I espically like the books where Sharpe in young and in India. Have you thought about writing a book about Sharpe in Flanders? I think that it would be interesting becaue it's a very obscure campain and would give us more background on Sharpe. Erik Lokkins

Mr. Cornwell, I adore your books and take inspiration from the fact that you cover so many historical periods so accurately and with effortless efficiency. I have noticed that you are becoming more interested in the saxon/post roman period and hope that you are not going to attempt a book on Mercia C7 in the near future as I am attempting to cover this subject, although whenever I read one of your novels I feel utter despair! Please reassure me that you are going nowhere near Mercia in this period or I will give up and yield the field to you!
Amanda Robertson Wood

I would just like to say that you are one incredible writer Mr.Cornwell. I am reading "The Lords of the North" and it is a great book. But I do wonder. What made you write about a Danish hero instead of a British one? I mean I find it extremely well done and such but I was just wondering because you are British yourself. Keep up the very good work and I'm looking forward to the next installment! Mitchell Dautzenberg

Sir, Your character Pierre Ducos, when you were creating this character did you draw any inspiration from Pierre Roger Ducos as he too was a strong Napoleon supporter but in the end abandoned him?
Emil Stewart