CORNISH author EV Thompson was greeted by fans armed with copies of his work during an audience with-style question and answer session at Liskeard Library on Monday. Mr Thompson, whose published work has included the Retallick Saga and the Jagos of Cornwall series, often draws on characters and environments experienced by the writer himself. He said: 'It is essential that you are honest, brutally honest, with your work. If you have any doubts then don't send it off. On the other hand, if you have written something that you truly believe to be great, don't take no for an answer.' With more than 30 non-fiction titles to his name, Mr Thompson told the assembled audience at Liskeard Library that his career began as a 15-year-old Royal Navy recruit, which saw him travel across the globe and fight in the Korean War. After leaving the Navy, Mr Thompson joined the police force in Bristol before moving to the former Rhodesia to work under cover with the police force there. It was during his time in Africa that Mr Thompson began negotiations with the Rhodesian Literacy Group to provide one of his books for every school child in the country. However, talks broke down. Mr Thompson spoke of his return to Cornwall where he worked in the clay mines in Par, before focusing completely on writing. In 2001 it was revealed that Mr Thompson was among the county's ten most-borrowed authors alongside the likes of Catherine Cookson and John Grisham.