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) Teachers, a gentle request: Please do not have multiple children send me variants of the same message. A group email is much easier to respond to and not such a drain on my time. My thanks in advance for being alert to this.
Sign the Guestbook!
966 entries.
Hi! I was just wondering why you haven't posted anything on the blog since May of last year?
Amber
P.S. My last name is pronounced like "rain".
Amber
P.S. My last name is pronounced like "rain".
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Amber -
That's a good question. Sadly, I think I'm just not as interested in blogging as I should be (or, at least, as the world thinks I should be). I need to get back to it. Thanks for the nudge!
Bruce
That's a good question. Sadly, I think I'm just not as interested in blogging as I should be (or, at least, as the world thinks I should be). I need to get back to it. Thanks for the nudge!
Bruce
Hello Mr. Coville,
I have messaged you here once before. I have a question I need to ask you.
I am doing a research paper, and I decided to research your life, as well as the inspiration behind 3 of your most popular series. I have found articles where you mentioned the inspiration behind 2 of them, but I can't find anything about the third one. What was the inspiration behind the Unicorn Chronicles?
Thank you,
Zach Talon
I have messaged you here once before. I have a question I need to ask you.
I am doing a research paper, and I decided to research your life, as well as the inspiration behind 3 of your most popular series. I have found articles where you mentioned the inspiration behind 2 of them, but I can't find anything about the third one. What was the inspiration behind the Unicorn Chronicles?
Thank you,
Zach Talon
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Zach -
Glad to hear from you. The answer to this one is a bit odd, and a bit entangled.
My second picture book, SARAH'S UNICORN, was written because my wife asked me to write after we had gotten turned down on another project. When we first submitted it (1977 or 1978), it was turned down by the editor we were working with because she thought there were too many unicorn picture books.
This was not so. There were unicorn mugs, posters, buttons, and probably toilet paper. But no unicorn picture books. I asked her to look again, and the book went forward, and became a solid success.
As a result, I became, to a degree, the unicorn guy. My next iteration in that guise was when I compiled THE UNICORN TREASURY for Doubleday.
Later, in the early 1990's, Jean Feiwel (the smartest woman in publishing) invited me in to Scholastic to discuss doing a new series. We threw some ideas back and forth, and when she said "unicorn world" I said "I'm you're guy."
It was supposed to be, by contract, a three book series, one a year, about 40,000 words each. As it turned out, it became a 4 book series, each significantly larger than the preceding volumes.
Unicorns . . . sometimes they just carry you away!
Glad to hear from you. The answer to this one is a bit odd, and a bit entangled.
My second picture book, SARAH'S UNICORN, was written because my wife asked me to write after we had gotten turned down on another project. When we first submitted it (1977 or 1978), it was turned down by the editor we were working with because she thought there were too many unicorn picture books.
This was not so. There were unicorn mugs, posters, buttons, and probably toilet paper. But no unicorn picture books. I asked her to look again, and the book went forward, and became a solid success.
As a result, I became, to a degree, the unicorn guy. My next iteration in that guise was when I compiled THE UNICORN TREASURY for Doubleday.
Later, in the early 1990's, Jean Feiwel (the smartest woman in publishing) invited me in to Scholastic to discuss doing a new series. We threw some ideas back and forth, and when she said "unicorn world" I said "I'm you're guy."
It was supposed to be, by contract, a three book series, one a year, about 40,000 words each. As it turned out, it became a 4 book series, each significantly larger than the preceding volumes.
Unicorns . . . sometimes they just carry you away!
Dear Bruce,
I'm reading Jeremy Thatcher dragon hatcher in my class & I love it. I really want to know where the idea for this book came from. I also was wondering how long it took to write this book because I would like to write one just like it someday. This is the first book I have loved in a while. Thank you for writing it. Love Ava Pavone
5th grader
I'm reading Jeremy Thatcher dragon hatcher in my class & I love it. I really want to know where the idea for this book came from. I also was wondering how long it took to write this book because I would like to write one just like it someday. This is the first book I have loved in a while. Thank you for writing it. Love Ava Pavone
5th grader
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Ava -
So glad that you are loving JEREMY THATCHER.
I got the idea because I had already written one Magic Shop book (THE MONSTER'S RING) and loved the shop too much to not go back for another visit. So one day I sat down and made a list of cool things that you might buy in the shop. Total brainstorming session, and one of the best things that came out of it was the idea of a dragon's egg.
I tried to write it as a short story first, but that didn't work. Once I decided to turn it into a book it took me about six months, including the time spent working with my editor to improve it.
Good luck with your own writing!
All best,
BC
So glad that you are loving JEREMY THATCHER.
I got the idea because I had already written one Magic Shop book (THE MONSTER'S RING) and loved the shop too much to not go back for another visit. So one day I sat down and made a list of cool things that you might buy in the shop. Total brainstorming session, and one of the best things that came out of it was the idea of a dragon's egg.
I tried to write it as a short story first, but that didn't work. Once I decided to turn it into a book it took me about six months, including the time spent working with my editor to improve it.
Good luck with your own writing!
All best,
BC
Dear Bruce
My name is Veva and my daughter is Sia
We encounter your book, into the land of the unicors, in our local library here in Madrid, Spain
we loved it so much that we went strainght into buying next two books.
we are actually reading book III
Now Iam looking for book IV and Iam finding very hard to find it, not audio or MP
Only as a book
as we have got the 3 first books we want tht last one and read it in paper. Old school I guess.
I only find they sell it in one place with a really crazy price
would you please give us a suggestion on what to do?
We will really apreciate it
My most sincere congratulations on your writing ....my daughter who is 12 is loving it. we read the books together out loud to practice our English and we are completely hooked
Kind regards
Veva and Sia
My name is Veva and my daughter is Sia
We encounter your book, into the land of the unicors, in our local library here in Madrid, Spain
we loved it so much that we went strainght into buying next two books.
we are actually reading book III
Now Iam looking for book IV and Iam finding very hard to find it, not audio or MP
Only as a book
as we have got the 3 first books we want tht last one and read it in paper. Old school I guess.
I only find they sell it in one place with a really crazy price
would you please give us a suggestion on what to do?
We will really apreciate it
My most sincere congratulations on your writing ....my daughter who is 12 is loving it. we read the books together out loud to practice our English and we are completely hooked
Kind regards
Veva and Sia
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Veva and Sia -
I very much loved this message - it delights me to know how much you are enjoying the Unicorn Chronicles.
Alas, I have bad news about THE LAST HUNT. For reasons I have never understood, Scholastic failed to publish a paperback edition. Then they let the entire series go out of print.
I have the rights back, and my agent and I are trying to find a new publisher. So all is not lost. But it will take some time to do that.
I am sorry I do not have better news.
Your friend,
Bruce Coville
I very much loved this message - it delights me to know how much you are enjoying the Unicorn Chronicles.
Alas, I have bad news about THE LAST HUNT. For reasons I have never understood, Scholastic failed to publish a paperback edition. Then they let the entire series go out of print.
I have the rights back, and my agent and I are trying to find a new publisher. So all is not lost. But it will take some time to do that.
I am sorry I do not have better news.
Your friend,
Bruce Coville
I had the pleasure of hearing you speak today at Helen Morgan School in Sparta. I am a substitute teacher and, having adult kids, was not familiar with your books.
I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation! Thank you for a wonderful time!
I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation! Thank you for a wonderful time!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Pat-
Thanks for this lovely message. I had a great time at the school today ... but that was largely because the students and staff were all so wonderful and welcoming!
All best,
Bruce
Thanks for this lovely message. I had a great time at the school today ... but that was largely because the students and staff were all so wonderful and welcoming!
All best,
Bruce
Hi Bruce
I'm reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher and I really like it. Also I was wondering if any of your characters or scenes in your books based on you. Thanks 🙂
I'm reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher and I really like it. Also I was wondering if any of your characters or scenes in your books based on you. Thanks 🙂
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Ray -
Glad you're enjoying JEREMY THATCHER. None of the characters in that book are based on me. However Rod Allbright, of the ALIENS ATE MY HOMEWORK series, is totally and completely based on me!
All best,
BC
Glad you're enjoying JEREMY THATCHER. None of the characters in that book are based on me. However Rod Allbright, of the ALIENS ATE MY HOMEWORK series, is totally and completely based on me!
All best,
BC
Hey mr.coville I'm reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon hatcher in school right now I was wondering how you thought of hiring college students for the audio book. Thanks Jonathan
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jonathan -
What a great question! The answer is pretty simple - I wanted youthful voices for the audio book. I live in Syracuse, and Syracuse University has a great acting school. Which meant that I could hire well trained actors who still sounded like kids. It was perfect for what we were trying to do!
BC
What a great question! The answer is pretty simple - I wanted youthful voices for the audio book. I live in Syracuse, and Syracuse University has a great acting school. Which meant that I could hire well trained actors who still sounded like kids. It was perfect for what we were trying to do!
BC
Hello Mr.Coville I'm reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher in Language Ats and so far it has been awsome. The book the Skull of Truth was my favorite. And I was thinking of ideas for books and you should make a book where the characters have to save Mr.Elives and make a cliffhanger and make a second book
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Tony -
Glad to know that you're enjoying JEREMY!
I am especially glad to know that you enjoyed SKULL. It is not my most popular book, but I honestly believe that in literary terms it is probably the best thing I have ever done.
The idea of having all the Magic Shop kids get together for an adventure is something I've been thinking about for a long time. Unfortunately, I'm not on good terms with the publisher of the series (they did me some serious wrong) so I'm not sure if that will ever happen.
BC
Glad to know that you're enjoying JEREMY!
I am especially glad to know that you enjoyed SKULL. It is not my most popular book, but I honestly believe that in literary terms it is probably the best thing I have ever done.
The idea of having all the Magic Shop kids get together for an adventure is something I've been thinking about for a long time. Unfortunately, I'm not on good terms with the publisher of the series (they did me some serious wrong) so I'm not sure if that will ever happen.
BC
Hi Bruce Coville. It's me, Adarsh again. I was wondering 3 things:
1. Is the Magic Shop series a bestseller?
2. Have you made any other books than the Magic Shop series?
3. I want to learn more about your history. Can you please make a autobiography about you?
Been a pleasure to talk to you,
Adarsh
2 P.S.
1. My nickname is Radar.
2. Hi Five to you too (from your previous response)
1. Is the Magic Shop series a bestseller?
2. Have you made any other books than the Magic Shop series?
3. I want to learn more about your history. Can you please make a autobiography about you?
Been a pleasure to talk to you,
Adarsh
2 P.S.
1. My nickname is Radar.
2. Hi Five to you too (from your previous response)
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Radar! (Cool nickname)
I don't know if the Magic Shop series has been officially a bestseller. I can tell you that THE MONSTER'S RING has been selling steadily for 35 years now, which is a rare thing.
Now, as to whether I have made any other books than the Magic Shop series. On this matter I am going to give you some advice, which is that you should not ask a question to which you can very easily find the answer yourself. Since you are writing on the guestbook, you are on my website. And on the website is also a complete list of all the books that I have published!
I am flattered that you want to know more about me. There is also an autobiography on the website!
All best,
BC
I don't know if the Magic Shop series has been officially a bestseller. I can tell you that THE MONSTER'S RING has been selling steadily for 35 years now, which is a rare thing.
Now, as to whether I have made any other books than the Magic Shop series. On this matter I am going to give you some advice, which is that you should not ask a question to which you can very easily find the answer yourself. Since you are writing on the guestbook, you are on my website. And on the website is also a complete list of all the books that I have published!
I am flattered that you want to know more about me. There is also an autobiography on the website!
All best,
BC
Dear Mr. Coville,
Hi! I am reading your book Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher at school. It is a really good book. How did you get the idea of writing about dragons? I also want you to write a sequel to the book. What ideas do you have? I hope you write a sequel!
Hi! I am reading your book Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher at school. It is a really good book. How did you get the idea of writing about dragons? I also want you to write a sequel to the book. What ideas do you have? I hope you write a sequel!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Shiza -
Glad you are enjoying JEREMY. As far as how I got the idea of writing about dragons, that was easy: I love dragons! So, naturally, I wanted to write about one!
At this time I have no plans for a sequel. Sometimes a book does best to stand on its own.
BC
Glad you are enjoying JEREMY. As far as how I got the idea of writing about dragons, that was easy: I love dragons! So, naturally, I wanted to write about one!
At this time I have no plans for a sequel. Sometimes a book does best to stand on its own.
BC