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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.
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964 entries.
Hi Mr. Coville, I am reading "Jeremy Thatcher" in my language arts class. I just started reading it and I love it so far. Right now you are my favorite author. I was wondering if when they get older maybe you could make a short story about how when they get older Mary Lou isn't interested in Jeremy and likes Spess, but Jeremy starts to like her. It would add a lot of suspense. Thank you!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Grace -
Glad you are enjoying JEREMY! It's interesting that you would like a short story about the characters, almost everyone else has been asking for a sequel, as in a full book. Clearly you like romantic complications!
BC
Glad you are enjoying JEREMY! It's interesting that you would like a short story about the characters, almost everyone else has been asking for a sequel, as in a full book. Clearly you like romantic complications!
BC
Hi Mr. Coville. I'm reading Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher and was wondering if you were going to right a book about Igor.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Nathan -
What a good question. In fact, I have written TWO books about Igor ... GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE and GOBLINS ON THE PROWL!
BC
What a good question. In fact, I have written TWO books about Igor ... GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE and GOBLINS ON THE PROWL!
BC
Hi Bruce, honor to meet you, but it would thrill me if you could think of making a new book. I think it would be cool if you made a book about your best books combined. They would have to solve a big problem and a solution. Thanks, Nate
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Nate, a pleasure to meet you.
I have actually considered writing a book where all the Magic Shop kids (there are five of them now) get together. Unfortunately, I am not currently on good terms with the publisher of those books, so I'm not sure if that will ever happen.
BC
I have actually considered writing a book where all the Magic Shop kids (there are five of them now) get together. Unfortunately, I am not currently on good terms with the publisher of those books, so I'm not sure if that will ever happen.
BC
Hi Mr. Coville! I'm reading "Jermey Thatcher Dragon Hatcher" in school. So far I'm really enjoying the book. I was wondering how you come up with your character names. Thank you!!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Lauren -
I'm so glad you're enjoying JEREMY. As to the names . . . well, I made up Jeremy's name. But for Tiamat I did a lot of research into dragon names from the past, in myth, legend, and folklore.
Even though I write fantasy, I do a lot of research in the process!
BC
I'm so glad you're enjoying JEREMY. As to the names . . . well, I made up Jeremy's name. But for Tiamat I did a lot of research into dragon names from the past, in myth, legend, and folklore.
Even though I write fantasy, I do a lot of research in the process!
BC
Hi Bruce Coville. I am reading your book "Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher " in school. I feel it is amazing. I would like to tell you that I would like you to make a book in where everyone is older and with a different point of view.
Thanks,
Adarsh
Thanks,
Adarsh
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hello, Adarsh -
This is very interesting. People have often asked for a sequel to JEREMY, but the truth is the only idea I have had for another story is one where the characters are older. You are the first person to ask for a story like that! So I am sending you a definite High Five!
BC
This is very interesting. People have often asked for a sequel to JEREMY, but the truth is the only idea I have had for another story is one where the characters are older. You are the first person to ask for a story like that! So I am sending you a definite High Five!
BC
It's me again just wondering if you have got my book or signed
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Gabby -
What address did you send the book to? I don't believe it has appeared yet.
BC
What address did you send the book to? I don't believe it has appeared yet.
BC
Hi Bruce! I am an aspiring first time author. My first novel, "Roomies," is about two teenage boys who have fallen in love with one another and endure the challenges of a long distance relationship and separation since one of the boy's, Eli, attends his first year of boarding school. I was wondering who you may recommend for me to send my manuscript ... publisher, agent, editor??? The novel may appeal to the LGBT community, and parents, teens, young adults interested in first time gay relationships and boarding school life. It reads theatrically, and would be amazing in "Full Cast Audio" format!!! Thank you so much for whatever advice you may be able to offer. I am greatly appreciative!!!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Darcy -
An agent is useful and wise at this point in your career. Alas, I do not know an agent who is specifically gay friendly. I can, however, suggest David Gale at Simon & Schuster as a sympathetic editor.
That said, I must be clear that (since I have not read the manuscript) this does not mean that you can use me as an endorsement. But David is a brilliant editor who has published numerous LBGT stories.
BC
An agent is useful and wise at this point in your career. Alas, I do not know an agent who is specifically gay friendly. I can, however, suggest David Gale at Simon & Schuster as a sympathetic editor.
That said, I must be clear that (since I have not read the manuscript) this does not mean that you can use me as an endorsement. But David is a brilliant editor who has published numerous LBGT stories.
BC
Hi Mr. Coville,
I'm a junior in high school and I used to absolutely adore your books. I have you to thank for my undying love of science fiction. Six years ago, you visited my elementary school and I had made a post like this one on your website, and you said you'd be glad to talk to me after your presentation. I was super excited, but I chickened out. I never got to meet you and I was so mad at myself. Even today, when I'm no longer reading your books, I still regret the actions of my younger self. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for helping to make my childhood great and inspiring my love for reading!
I'm a junior in high school and I used to absolutely adore your books. I have you to thank for my undying love of science fiction. Six years ago, you visited my elementary school and I had made a post like this one on your website, and you said you'd be glad to talk to me after your presentation. I was super excited, but I chickened out. I never got to meet you and I was so mad at myself. Even today, when I'm no longer reading your books, I still regret the actions of my younger self. Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for helping to make my childhood great and inspiring my love for reading!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Tara -
Thanks for this message. I take great pride in the thought that I helped instill your love of science fiction. (I just got back from the Boston SF convention, called BOSKONE)
I'm sorry you didn't follow through on that chance to talk to me after my visit. It is a truth of my own life that I regret much more the things I failed to try than the things where I tried and failed.
But guess what? Odds are good that I'm coming to Fairport Elementary again this spring!
A second chance?
All best,
BC
Thanks for this message. I take great pride in the thought that I helped instill your love of science fiction. (I just got back from the Boston SF convention, called BOSKONE)
I'm sorry you didn't follow through on that chance to talk to me after my visit. It is a truth of my own life that I regret much more the things I failed to try than the things where I tried and failed.
But guess what? Odds are good that I'm coming to Fairport Elementary again this spring!
A second chance?
All best,
BC
Hello,
I wrote you in late Jan, and I kept meaning to return after reading your reply. But alas as road leads on to road, I got a little lost. I keep thinking about one of the reasons for why you haven't yet done the remaining two books in the Circle Opens series by Tamora Pierce. You said finances were an issue, as I am sure they are with any collaborative issue. Have you ever thought to do crowd sourcing? I know there are so many silly things that people start Go Fund Me pages for that they get nothing back from. Having fans give a donation for the project may help get the word out about it as well as provide additional funding. And at then end of it all there is an audiobook to purchase. 😀
I can't offer a solution for the lack of time. And unless you want to come to MA and meet all my actor friends, I've no solution for the talent problem either. But hey 1 out of 3 ain't bad.
I do hope it remains on the back burner and at some point is produce, by you, not someone else.
You and your cast do have a talent for reading aloud. It is something not everyone has. It is also something no one teaches anymore. I make every single student I have read passages aloud in class because it is a dying art. I have several audiobooks unfinished because the narration was like listening to a drunken squirrel. You can tell you and you cast put passion and effort into the work you do.
It is such a pleasure to listen to your works.
Thanks you.
I wrote you in late Jan, and I kept meaning to return after reading your reply. But alas as road leads on to road, I got a little lost. I keep thinking about one of the reasons for why you haven't yet done the remaining two books in the Circle Opens series by Tamora Pierce. You said finances were an issue, as I am sure they are with any collaborative issue. Have you ever thought to do crowd sourcing? I know there are so many silly things that people start Go Fund Me pages for that they get nothing back from. Having fans give a donation for the project may help get the word out about it as well as provide additional funding. And at then end of it all there is an audiobook to purchase. 😀
I can't offer a solution for the lack of time. And unless you want to come to MA and meet all my actor friends, I've no solution for the talent problem either. But hey 1 out of 3 ain't bad.
I do hope it remains on the back burner and at some point is produce, by you, not someone else.
You and your cast do have a talent for reading aloud. It is something not everyone has. It is also something no one teaches anymore. I make every single student I have read passages aloud in class because it is a dying art. I have several audiobooks unfinished because the narration was like listening to a drunken squirrel. You can tell you and you cast put passion and effort into the work you do.
It is such a pleasure to listen to your works.
Thanks you.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jessica -
Thanks for this. If we ever do record the remaining two CIRCLE OPENS books, it will almost undoubted by via crowd sourcing.
I'm kvelling from your comments about our recordings. The way we work quadruples the time spent in the studio, and probably triples the work for the engineers. But that's how we get the sound we are after, and it's why it makes me so happy to get comments like yours.
And good on you for working on reading aloud with your students!!
All best
BC
Thanks for this. If we ever do record the remaining two CIRCLE OPENS books, it will almost undoubted by via crowd sourcing.
I'm kvelling from your comments about our recordings. The way we work quadruples the time spent in the studio, and probably triples the work for the engineers. But that's how we get the sound we are after, and it's why it makes me so happy to get comments like yours.
And good on you for working on reading aloud with your students!!
All best
BC
Hi Mr. Coville,
I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to look at a couple of books that I am writing, and give me advice. They are not done yet, so it would have to wait until they are done, but once they are, would you be willing to look at them?
Also, I was wondering if you had any advice about how to get my stories published.
Lastly, I'm doing a research paper on you for my English class, and I wanted to know if you could help me out with it.
Thanks,
Zach Talon
(that's my pen name, not my real name...)
I wanted to ask you if you would be willing to look at a couple of books that I am writing, and give me advice. They are not done yet, so it would have to wait until they are done, but once they are, would you be willing to look at them?
Also, I was wondering if you had any advice about how to get my stories published.
Lastly, I'm doing a research paper on you for my English class, and I wanted to know if you could help me out with it.
Thanks,
Zach Talon
(that's my pen name, not my real name...)
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Zach -
I'm sorry, but it's not possible for me to look at works in progress. I get a lot of request for this kind of feedback, and if I started to agree it would be literally all that I do!
The best one stop spot for learning how to get work for young readers published is the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). I serve on their board of advisors because I think they do such good work. Go to scbwi.org for more information.
BC
I'm sorry, but it's not possible for me to look at works in progress. I get a lot of request for this kind of feedback, and if I started to agree it would be literally all that I do!
The best one stop spot for learning how to get work for young readers published is the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). I serve on their board of advisors because I think they do such good work. Go to scbwi.org for more information.
BC