Met your friend Gavin Esler at an event organised by HarperCollins. I’m a writer. I’ve admired your work for twenty years or more. Don’t worry,stand easy. I’m not sending manuscripts. Not asking favours – pain in the arse as they are. The buying public will tell me whether or not I’m any good. Just saying I like your work and would be happy with a tenth of your success. And greatly admire your switch from Sharpe to US civil war, Arthurian legend etc. Good luck to you! Likewise I loved your comments on literature in your website. I’m the same. I write boys’ own fiction. All best wishes, John Drake