Your Questions

Q

Dear Mr Cornwell.

 

Thank you so much for the Uhtred series, I have read them 3 times over and even have a Wyrd Bid Ful Araed Tattoo on my chest! Do you have any update on the progression of the latest Uhtred adventure?

 

Michael.

A

It is the book I am working on now - hopefully, it will be ready for publication later this year!


Q

Hi Mr Cornwell,

I'm currently reading your American Civil War series of books. I am enjoying them and they helped me through the long haul flight from England to Australia for Christmas. I have often meant to contact you while reading different series of your books to ask if you have ever considered writing a novel set during the English Civil War. I have often imagined reading one of your novels set during this period and wondered if your main character would be Royalist or Parlementarian.

Keith Scott

 

A

I am not likely to write a book set during the English Civil War....but if I were, I suspect I would put my story on the Royalist side, mainly out of a deep distaste for the religiosity of the other.


Q

Mr. Cornwell,

I have read nearly all of your books in both physical book form and kindle versions where available. I’m not certain what led to you writing such incredible novels but I am so thrilled you did. Historical fiction is such an incredible genre.

My question: Will we ever see any more Arthur  books? I know how that last book ends but it’s a series I share with any/everyone who I come across. It’s so well done. I would love more books in that series.

 

Thanks ,

 

Lawrence

A

I do not have plans to add more books to that series.


Q

Hi Bernard,

 

I thoroughly enjoyed Sharpe's Storm and I very much look forward to the new Uhtred novel. My question is, what other of your characters would you like to return? Thomas of Hookton. NIcolas Hook, Rider Sandman, Starbuck?

 

I understand Sharpe's Storm may be his last appearance and that the Arthur Books are very much book ended.

 

Personally, I'd would like to see  more Thomas .

 

Regards,

 

James

A

Oh, it would be fun to return to them all!  But I'm afraid time runs short.....


Q

Mr. Cornwell:

After more than, a decade, I decided to reread the Sharp novels. I read them somewhat out of order since new novels were published in the in-between years.  The second time around they proved to be better than the first. I especially enjoyed Sharpe's Siege. I just ordered the latest Sharpe novel I look forward to it. One question that I have is why your civil war series ended at Antietam. Your take on Gettysburg would have been interesting.  look forward to Sharpe'e Storm.

Jim Marlin

 

I have just finished listening (audible) to the Starbucks Chronicles back to back.  Really enjoyable to listen to them one after the other.  The principal character Starbucks is surely one to rival Sharpe.  I just wanted to ask if it was always intended to finish the saga after the battle of Antietam and four books?  Will the chronicles ever be extended to include the rest of the Civil War period.  As a Civil War enthusiast I would certainly welcome further books following Starbuck’s adventures. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

James Burns

A

It seems unlikely that I will return to Starbuck...


Q

You have had so many great narrators of you audiobooks in the different series. I have enjoyed their different interpretations of your characters after reading the books. I think you have said in the past that you have no say in who is chosen to do them? My favorite is Jonathan Keeble on the Winter King - especially his work on Derfel, Merlin and Arthur. Have you listened to them and is there a performance that stands out to you by any for a particular book?

Ron Filipkowski

A

It's true - I do not have any input into choosing narrators of the audio books and I have never listened to any of my books!  It's the last thing I feel like doing after having written it (and re-written and re-written) and reread the page proofs and the galley proofs!  But I am glad to know others enjoy listening to them!


Q

Dear Bernard,

 

I have been an avid reader of yours for years now. For me, the Warlord Chronicles is by far your best work - it’s beautifully written and engrossing in so many aspects. I have read the trilogy through 3/4 times now and each time I’ve fallen in love with a new character - I can’t think of any other book that has encapsulated me in this way, it truly as close to a masterpiece as you can get! I was so excited when I heard it would be turned into a TV series, so my question is this: when you have produced material of this depth and quality do you not feel disappointed to see them stray so far away from what you have spent countless hours working on? It had everything there to be the next Game of Thrones or better! All they had to do was follow the source material, such a shame!!

 

Best wishes,

Luke

A

I am not involved in the filming of my books (except for a cameo in 'The Last Kingdom' series!) - but I feel no disappointment!


Q

Hello Mr. Cornwell,

I’am reading your Sharpe Rifles series. Which I love. Your series reminds me of the Aldric Bond series about the British Navy.

My question is. Were you happy about the Sharpes Rifle series on P.B.S? And Sean Beans portrayal of Richard Sharpe?

 

Thank you,

Charles Reicherter

A

Sean was the perfect Sharpe!  I love the series.  Sometimes hear Sean Bean's voice as Sharpe when I write the books.


Q

Hi Bernard

Is there any chance your next book will see us riding with Uhtred again?

All the best,

Simon

 

You say you've started your next book. may we ask what it is. Is it a stand alone book?

Lee Menzies

 

Good Morning Bernard,

I trust you and Judy are keeping well.

In answer to a question from another reader you mentioned that 'Sharpe's Storm' is finished and you have already started writing your next book. Are you able to reveal what that is; another Sharpe, Uhtred, or Thomas of Hookton, or a completely new subject perhaps? If not, that's OK, just curious to know what else we can look forward to next!

Martin Beint

 

Bernard,

you answered a question just recently on your website saying you’ve already started your next book. Don’t leave us hanging! Give us a tease! What’s next? Whatever it is, I can’t wait!

Jack Ashcraft

A
The book I plan to write next has no title (yet), but it will feature Uhtred who is asked by King Alfred to save Wessex, and indeed all Britain, from a ghastly existentialist threat. Alfred fears that Britain is doomed and tells Uhtred,  ‘Everything I have done is threatened with destruction! The church, the kingdom, my people, all Britain!  Condemned to everlasting horror!’
What is the threat? That you must wait to find out, all I will say is that it was real. So what is the book about? I don't really know because I have only written one chapter and I never know what happens until I write the book itself. I think I can be fairly confident in saying that Uhtred, with Finan and most of his warriors, will save the day, despite being opposed by new and fearsome enemies.  I do know that much of the book must occur abroad in what is now France and Italy. I suspect the events occur just before those described in The Empty Throne, but if you want to read something that lies at the heart of the new story (whatever it is) I suggest you read the short story The Gift of God in Uhtred's Feast. That's all I can tell you! I do know what happens in Chapter Two, but beyond that I really have no idea, but finding out what happens is not only one joy of reading a book, but of writing one too!

Q

Dear Mr. Cornwell

Your books are some of my favorites, I can hardly pass a used book store without a look through the shelves for anything you have written, as well as anything by  C S Forester. I very much aporeciated your inclusion of Rifleman Dodd in Sharpe's unit. I'm also a fan of George Macdonald Fraser and the Flashman Papers, which you are probably familiar with. A franchise that, I felt, was left incomplete with Fraser's passing. Have you ever considered taking over as 'editor' of the Flashman Papers? It seems like work you would be well suited for. There is a couple of references to Flashman's service in the American Civil War that I would love to read more about and the Starbuck books have probably provided you with a wealth of research for the subject already. It would be amazing to hear back from you, as I've said, you are one of my favorite authors. Much respect.

Yours truly,

Darian Chase

A

No one but George Macdonald Fraser can write Flashman!