Guestbook

Welcome to the Guestbook!

I'm always eager to read your comments about my books and stories, so please feel free to pitch in. Here are a few things for you to know:

1) I answer the messages here personally.

2) No message shows up here until I actually answer it. To prevent spam and other inappropriate postings. So there will sometimes be a delay before your message posts, especially if I am traveling.

3) Please avoid "spoilers"! If you don't know the term, a "spoiler" is a comment that will give away a surprise or plot twist to someone who has not yet read a story. For example, if you write, "I was so startled by the way the orange baboon ate Bob alive at the end of the story" I can't post your message, because it would spoil the surprise for people who haven't read the story yet.

4) If you provide your email address, you will receive a notice when I respond to your message. (Don't worry—your address will not appear on the Guestbook!)

5) This one is for teachers: While I love hearing from your students, please (I'm begging you!) do not have every child in class write a separate message. I simply don't have the time to respond to 25 messages that all say pretty much the same thing.

With that in mind—post away! I look forward to hearing from you.

-Bruce Coville

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, February 03, 2012:

Madeline -

I'm a small town boy myself - I feel your pain!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, February 03, 2012:

Hi, Amanda -

Sorry, but I'm not willing to post the story in a text version on the website.

However . . . you don't actually need a Kindle to read a Kindle download!

That probably sounds odd, but here's what I mean. Amazon offers a free download of a Kindle software for regular computers. You can load that onto your computer, then use it to read Kindle texts. I don't own a Kindle, either, but I have that program on my laptop, and have about a dozen Kindle books on it.

Cheers,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, February 03, 2012:

Hi, Tricia -

I agree - who would want to "graduate" from children's literature? So much wonderful writing, so many wonderful books, and no boring angst about being middle-aged, loosing your hair, and feeling that your life has been a waste! Blech! What boring stuff to natter on about. Give me kids and adventure any day!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Sunday, January 29, 2012:

Hi, Tricia -

First: What a lovely message. Thank you.

Second: Ebooks are a tricky issue. When this started, publishers were offering terms that were, to be blunt, abusive. I refused to sign off on them, for reasons of pride, dignity, and honesty. Things are improving. I've approved ebook versions of JEREMY THATCHER plus several of my titles from Simon & Schuster. How quickly they will appear, I am not certain.

I am also working to bring several of my less-well-known titles to the ebook platforms. This does not mean they are lesser works, simply that they were less successful in commercial terms. The first to appear will probably be The World's Worst Fairy Godmother, which I think is one of my three funniest books but for some reason (wrong cover? wrong title? who knows . . .) totally tanked.

I love the ebook platforms for making all my work available.

Again, thanks for this lovely message.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Saturday, January 28, 2012:

Hi, Sorka -

Glad to have been of assistance - and delighted that you found so many things that you're going to enjoy reading!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Naomi -

Thanks for this lovely message - I'm thrilled that you love the books so much!

You may not know this, and I can't guarantee it, but very often a school librarian will try to order a book if a student requests is - especially if it's part of a series that the library already has the first part of. Wouldn't hurt to try!

All best - and good luck!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Thursday, January 26, 2012:

Hi, Sorka -

First, thanks for the kind words on my books. And I appreciate, too, your own appreciation of my answers on the guestbook. It takes a lot of time, but I know that my readers appreciate it, so I try to keep up. (I slip behind sometimes, which always vexes me, but I do try to keep up!)

Your list of favorite authors is interesting and nicely eclectic, and also challenging in terms of thinking of other authors you might like. Here are some you might try: Patricia McKillip ("Riddle of Stars" trilogy), Terry Pratchett (esp. the "Tiffany Aching" books), Esther Friesner (particularly her more recent books), Patricia C. Wrede (Enchanted Forest Chronicles). Hope some of those might work for you!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Thursday, January 26, 2012:

Hi, Madeline -

I think it's probably some sort of closed system, probably to protect student privacy or something. It said I wasn't authorized.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Wednesday, January 25, 2012:

Hi, Madeline -

I tried to look at the report, but when I clicked the link it denied me access.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Wednesday, January 25, 2012:

Hi, Madeline -

When the book comes out - which won't be until next year - we'll be offering it on the website where you can order signed copies.

I'd love to just give them away, but that would be a little like being a grocery store where all the groceries are free. Wouldn't last very long!

;>

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Thursday, January 26, 2012:

Hi, Stephanie -

Well, I love to read, so my list of favorite authors is pretty extensive. For starters I would say Lloyd Alexander (my hero, really), Natalie Babbitt, JRR Tolkien, and Terry Pratchett. Have fun!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, January 24, 2012:

Hi, Madeline -

Thanks for telling me about this. Though it would be my preference that every teacher in America know who I am I know that high school teachers often focus very much on the literature for the ages they teach, and aren't fully aware of books written for the earlier grades.

My favorite character in the book has to be Igor, because he's really the reason I wrote the story. I've been having fun with Igor since the first time he appeared in my life - a Halloween night nearly 40 years ago.

I'm thinking about that book - and Igor - a lot these days, because after nearly 20 years I am now working on a sequel.

Thanks for taking time to say hello here!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, January 24, 2012:

Hi, Marie & Kathi -

Nice to hear from you again. Glad you love the homepage - and even more pleased that you love the books!

Can you meet me? Well, if I ever happen to be in Bretten, or you are in Syracuse, that could probably be arranged. But I have no trips to Germany on the schedule at the moment, and I assume you're not coming to Syracuse, so overall it doesn't seem that likely!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Luis -

Thanks for checking in here. I visited Brazil some years ago to speak at the American School in Sao Paolo, and I fell in love with the country. So it makes me quite happy to know that I'm being read there.

Now, as to a Kindle edition: that's handled by Scholastic, not me. I know they were planning their own ebook platform a while ago, but I haven't heard anything about it in some time. To be honest, I don't know if their ebooks would have worked with the Kindle or not. (It would have been crazy if they didn't, but publishers often do crazy things...)

If they do release ebook versions I will be sure to announce it on the front page of the Unicorn Chronicles website.

By the way - I hadn't thought about how much easier ebooks make it for readers in other countries to obtain a book. It's an interesting thought, and I appreciate your opening my eyes to it!

All best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Amanda -

Oh, gosh - the question "how does one go about publishing their first book?" is something that people write entire volumes about! It can take a long time to sell a first book, and the contract can be pretty complicated. The best thing for you and your friend to do is go to the local library (you know, the place where people used to go for information before Google ) (just teasing) and ask your librarian for help. Even if the library doesn't have the book you need on it's shelves, most libraries have an interlibrary loan system, so they can ask another library to send it to them.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Jaimee -

Thanks for the kind words. I have often said that if I had to guess which of my books would be around longest after I have left this world, I would put my money on JEREMY THATCHER. Glad to know that your literacy class is reading it.

The wanted poster sounds like a fun project!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Axel -

Thanks for checking in here. No shame in not finding Book 4 until now. Truth is, the publisher didn't do a terribly good job of letting people know it was out there. Sigh.

I have lots of ideas for more stories, but have not been able to talk the editor into buying any of them. It maketh me cranky!

Cheers,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Chrissy -

Re-reading a book is about the highest compliment a reader can give it! Thanks for letting me know.

I hadn't thought about the fact that both the main character and the villain are female. Interesting point!

Always good to hear from you.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Hayden -

Well, that's kind of cool about the family connections. And guess what: This Sunday is my dad's 90th birthday!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Hayden -

Glad to know you like the Nina Tanleven books. Nine and Chris are based on my daughter and her best friend, and Nina's dad is a sort of improved version of, well, me. I've got another Nina book half written, but I don't know if I will ever finish it because the stinky publisher decided they didn't want it. (It was partly my fault - I was very late with getting it written, which they were rightfully cranky about.)

Cheers,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 27, 2012:

Hi, Hayden -

Ah! "All of them" is the perfect answer! ;>

Yep, I remember going to Lanigan. Had a good time. (But then, I almost always have a good time. I really love doing school visits.)

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, January 17, 2012:

Hi, Hayden -

Thank you! Um . . . which book? ;>

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Nicole -

Which is a touchy topic . . . causing offense, or being busy?

On second thought, no need to answer if you would rather not.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Congratulations, Radha! I'm very pleased for you!

Good luck with your story.

All best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Dear True Blue William -

Thank you. I could not ask for a better or more affirming message than this one. Your recounting of what MONSTER'S RING and "Am I Blue?" have meant to you went straight to my heart.

You sound like you were exactly the kind of kid that I write for.

Good luck with your own writing!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Wednesday, January 11, 2012:

Hi, Radha -

No need to apologize! Good luck with the project, whatever you choose!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Wednesday, January 11, 2012:

Thank you, Laura. I am very fond of that book myself, so it delights me that you love it.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Hi, Nicole -

Oh, goodness, you haven't said anything to offend me! You just have to understand that I can't always keep up with the guestbook. It takes a fair amount of time, something that is always in short supply around here.

All best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Hi, Wyverna -

Oh, I was rejected LOTS! None of my books was rejected as many times as WRINKLE, but I spent 8 years sending stuff out before I finally sold something!

Cheers,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Dear DD N -

What a lovely thing to say! Thank you!

One key to writing well is to read a lot. But I bet you're already doing that. Keep it up!

all best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Hi, Radha -

Well, I know you've already turned your project in and got a good grade on it, so I'm glad to know that worked out!

Cheers,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Hi, Hayden -

Oh, nice try buddy, but if your teacher doesn't want to read the summary then I'm sure not gonna give it to you! To be honest, I often don't like the summaries they put on the back of my books for exactly that reason - they sometimes give too much away. When an author works hard to build surprises into a story it's very disappointing to have a simple paragraph on the cover destroy one or more of those surprises.

Hope you'll enjoy the book anyway.

All best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Saturday, January 07, 2012:

Hi, Radha -

Oddly enough, I was actually asked to write the Unicorn Chronicles, by a very perceptive editor who knew I could do something with this. I was asked partly because my second book was SARAH'S UNICORN and later I had edited an anthology called THE UNICORN TREASURY, so I had established my credentials as a unicorn writer. This series is the kind of grand high adventure I had dreamed of creating ever since I started writing professionally over thirty years ago.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 06, 2012:

Hi, Radha -

Delighted to know that you love the Chronicles. I hope you'll like the way everything wraps up!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Hi, Greta -

Nice to hear from you. The answer to when I have a new book coming out is, "Next summer!" It's a funny/scary story about kids and monsters called ALWAYS OCTOBER.

I'm glad to know you've written your own story, but you need to understand that I am not a publisher, I am a writer. For example, the book coming out in the summer is not published by me, it is published by HarperCollins. (I DO publish audiobooks, but that is only after a book has already appeared in print.)

I am also a big fan of Mary Downing Hahn - of her writing, and of Mary as a person, as she is a kind and charming lady.

All best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Friday, January 13, 2012:

Hi, Harley -

Thanks for writing - and sorry I've taken so long to respond. I got behind on the guestbook over the holidays and it's taking me a while to get caught up.

When a story has an ending that leaves things up to the reader, you have a lot of leeway to devise your own explanation for what's happened. So I would not say that you are wrong, but I will tell you your explanation was not what I had in mind.

I'm really glad that you enjoyed the story, and that it left you thinking.

All best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Monday, January 02, 2012:

Hi, Nicole -

Ah, delighted to know that you've got "Boy With Silver Eyes." I hope you'll enjoy the story.

Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful 2012. I wouldn't worry too much about that Mayan calendar thing! ;>

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Sunday, January 01, 2012:

As long as you're not planning on showing it in a theater you should feel free to do so. It sounds like a fun project - I hope you have a good time doing it!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Thursday, December 29, 2011:

Hi, Elizabeth -

I'm sorry, but I don't understand exactly what you're asking about. Can you explain more thoroughly?

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Thursday, December 29, 2011:

Thank you, Sydnie! Best wishes to you and your family for a very happy New Year!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Thursday, December 29, 2011:

Hi, Aubrey -

Ah, I understand! Very clever of you to think of that - the odds were low, but not impossible.

Best wishes for a wonderful year in 2012.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, December 27, 2011:

Hi, Aubrey -

Not to the best of my memory!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, December 27, 2011:

Hi, Staci -

What a lovely message! Thank you for taking the time to tell me how much these books have meant to you. I love knowing that they have stayed with you into adulthood - I couldn't ask for a better compliment!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Monday, December 26, 2011:

Hi, Cheyenne -

Thanks for stopping by to say hello. Really glad to know you liked MORLEY MANOR - I've had a lot of fun with the book over the years.

Best wishes for the holiday season!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Sunday, December 25, 2011:

Thank you, Lesley! Best wishes to you and yours for a grand and glorious 2012!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Thursday, December 22, 2011:

You're very welcome, Diego!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Wednesday, December 21, 2011:

Dear Diego -

I'm delighted that you had a chance to read THE SKULL OF TRUTH, and that you are doing a project on it.

I can't really list all the awards I've won here, as I've been very lucky in that regard. I will just list some of the states where I have won "Children's Choice" Awards: Hawaii, New Jersey, California, Connecticut, North Carolina, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

As to how many books I have published - well, just three hours ago I sent in the revisions for book number 100! It will come out next summer, so for now the answer is 99, with books number 100 and 101 on the way.

Thanks for writing - and good luck with your project!

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, December 20, 2011:

Hi, Collin -

While your offer to be my new editor is much appreciated, I'm not sure it makes sense business-wise (because you are clearly a wise-guy!) ;>

Actually, I do have a new editor at the publishing house that did the Rod Allbright books. Right now I am in the midst of writing a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE for her. Who knows . . . if all goes well, she may want a new Rod Allbright book as a follow up! Keep your fingers crossed.

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, December 20, 2011:

Hi, Brittany -

Many thanks for this kind of message. The combination of your joy in the stories and your feeling that you have picked up some elements of craft from reading my books . . . well, shat more could an author ask for? (I'm a demon on craft.)

Good luck with your work in college, and your own writing!

all best,

BC

Bruce Coville replied on Tuesday, December 20, 2011:

Hi, Jeremy -

Hard to tell you how much I love hearing from guys like you. When you write for kids you figure you'll be part of their lives for a while, and then they'll move on. So whenever I get a message like this, letting me know that the books have stayed alive in your imagination, that you still value them, I feel especially lucky. Blessed, really.

And here's something I hope you'll take as good news: my current project is a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE!

All best,

BC