Your Questions

Q

Hi Bernard. I'm from Australia and very much enjoy reading all your books. I'm just wondering where the inspiration for a multi-dimensional villain like Billy Blythe comes from? I mean, he's so easy to hate but then again his motives are really quite easy to understand. As much as you hate the things he does, in some ways you catch yourself finding a guy who can go up and flat out lie his way through a conversation with stonewall Jackson humorous! Do characters like that come from someone you meet? Anyway, thanks for your stories...won't bore you with another "please write another Starbuck soon request..." All the best and thanks for being so accessible. James.

Submitted May 4, 2007

A

laughs. Not sure I should confess this... Let's pretend I'm NOT answering your question, ok? And instead I shall pass on the totally unconnected piece of trivia that President Clinton was born William Blythe, and had his name changed when his mother remarried. But as I say, that is a totally unconnected piece of trivia.

Q

Reading through the archive of emails on your site, a couple of thoughts popped to mind. For Tony April 20, 2007. I suggest he get a copy of "The Traditional Bowyers Bible, Volume One", Allely, et al, C 1992 Bois d'Arc Press. It will answer his questions regarding wood selection and goes into specifics about the Yew Longbow. The other thought regarding a letter of April 12 2007 asked the question about Sharpes whereabouts between Copenhagen & Corunna. In "Sharpes Rifles" he indicates he fought at Rolica & Vimiero. Will you ever cover what our heroic quartermaster did there? Thanks again or all your wonderful books. Skal, Sven

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

Thanks for the recommendation.

Vimerio/Rolica are not in my plans at the moment, but it's possible they'll feature in one or more short stories some time in the future.

Q

Hi, I am an avid reader of your books as are so many who write to you. Unusually, after reading so many books with a masculine hero, I recently read one of your early books, A Crowning Mercy which I thoroughly enjoyed. The thing that coming to my mind was a what a fantastic television drama it would make in conjunction with the masters of drama the BBC - has this ever been a consideration? Thanks.
Nigel Corbin

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

Thanks, but I don't think it has.

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell, I love your Saxon novels and just finished reading Gallow's Thief. What are the chances of you witing a story about Jack Hood, the Highwayman? Thank you! Wendy

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

The highwaymen are a good subject, but it's not in my plans at the moment.

Q

I have thoroughly enjoyed your writing, for example the Sharpe series, and would like to read a book or two from the author or authors that inspired your writing in order to further enhance my appreciation of your novels. Could you give me some names? Many thanks, Ivor

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

The inspiration for the Sharpe series came from reading C. S. Forester's Hornblower series as a child. If you haven't read them, I recommend you do!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell. I just finished your third book in the Saxon Tales; I read all three within a week and it's been a while since I've been that drawn to a fictional series and much thanks for the pleasure you provided. One question though; did you ever serve in the military? You seem to be speaking (or writing) from direct experience. Craig M.

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

Never. I tried to get in when I was 17 or 18, but I'm blind as a bat (short-sighted) and they'd only offer me a job in the Pay Corps - which is very honourable, but I wanted to be slaughtering Frogs so I turned it down. Ah well.

Q

Hello, Let me start by saying your Warlord Trilogy is some of the finest reading I've ever encountered!I am currently reading your Saxon Stories and they're shaping up to be another favorite of mine!I was wondering if you could tell me when The Lords Of the North will be released in trade paperback( in the US?) Regards, David Watts

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

HarperCollins, US hasn't set a publication date for the paperback (as far as I know), but generally it comes out one year after the hardback, so I would look for it around Christmas time.

Q

Hi, I live in Utley near Keighley West Yorkshire and I believe that the Sharpe books are based on someone who is buried in the cemetary at Utley. Please could you tell me his name as I would like to go there. Many thanks Paula

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

Sorry, but Sharpe is utterly fictional - and comes only from my imagination.

Q

I love your books!!! I am currently reading the 3rd book of the Saxon stories (after re-reading the 1st 2). I am wondering when you will continue The Grail Quest series!!! Please, don't leave us dangling!!! Also, are you going to write another book about the Revolutionary War, a continuation of Redcoat? What about a continuation of The Starbuck Chronicles? I loved all the books I have read written by you!!! You are an fantastic author, that provides such wonderful reading!!! I do wish you would go further in The Arthur Books series as well! Please let me know when you will be writing another book on The Grail Quest!!! I am almost finished reading The Saxon Stories and really hate the idea that there isn't another book out there waiting for me to read!!! Jane Barry

Submitted May 3, 2007

A

There will be a new Saxon book in the near future. No plans to continue the Arthur books or the Grail Quest series - both are finished. Starbuck will happen, but not for awhile. And there will be another (I think) during the time of the American Revolution, but it won't be a continuation of Redcoat. Thanks for your kind words.

Q

Hi Bernard, just a quick grammatical question for you to clarify an ambiguity. . . >From reading the many posts on your site - I noticed contributors often replace apostrophe and quotation marks with a "square type" symbol. I have never seen the mark anywhere else and wondered if you know where it originates or if it has any name or grammatical origin in the written use of English? Martin Parfitt

Submitted May 1, 2007

A

I think it's the computer converting marks into html. It's certainly not part of any punctuation scheme! A conversion problem - that's all!