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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:

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964 entries.
Candace W. from St. Albert, Alberta Canada wrote on October 22, 2016
Dear Mr. Coville,
I am a long-time fan of The Unicorn Chronicles. I first read book one "Into the Land of Unicorns" when I was just a young girl, which inspired a life-long love of the series and a lasting impression on my own imagination, which in turn, lead to the creation of my own fantastical stories, characters, and worlds. I am now well into adulthood and find myself in a sad situation... as a result of moving several times (including between countries!) I no longer have a single copy of the chronicles on my bookshelf. My sadness deepened when my search for a boxed set was unsuccessful 🙁 I was curious (and hopeful) as to whether there are plans for such a thing?
Thank you so much for your time and all your wonderful books!
A Forever Fan,
*Candace W.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Candace -

Oddly, Scholastic never published a box set. and, to my dismay, they never even put the fourth book into a paperback edition before allowing it to go out of print.

My agent and I are working on getting the series back in print somewhere else, and if we do, I hope that they will consider a boxed set. If we can't find a publisher that wants to pick them up, I'll put them back in print myself, one way or another.

It delights me to know that the books have meant so much to you, and led you to writing stories of your own!

All best,

BC
Anon e Mouse Jr. from Eatontown, New Jersey USA wrote on October 15, 2016
Long time no write... I've been re-reading the Rod Allbright Alien Adventures quartet, and I have a few questions about certain points. (The third is something I thought of back in 2014, but I got distracted by some other stuff for a few years and never asked about it until now.)
* In book 1, it's said BKR has been on Earth for twelve years. But in books 2 and 3, it's said Rod's father only left about three years previous, shortly after the twins were born, and in book 3, he says he left BEFORE BKR arrived. Which timeframe is right?
* We know Rod was probably twelve at the start of the series, since he was in sixth grade at the time, and the twins are identified as being only three. But just how old is Elspeth?
* In book 3, Seymour names his other half Edgar. Was this a deliberate reference on his part to Rod's favorite author, Edgar Rice Burroughs (whose name he could have heard in Rod's mind)?
Thanks in advance!
Until next time...
Anon e Mouse Jr.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Anon e Mouse (Jr.!)

While I'm delighted to know that you're re-enjoying the Rod Allbright Alien Adventures Quartet, you have to remember that it's been about 20 years since I wrote them. So while it is entirely possible that I did bollix up the timeline, there's no way I could actually comment on it without going back to read all four books over again.

I don't think I assigned Elspeth an age, but my intent was that she would be a year or so younger than Rod.

I can't remember if Seymour's use of Edgar was intentional on my part. Even if not intentional, it might well have been a subconscious thing, because I was certainly writing with Burroughs' sense of pacing in mind.

Good to hear from you!

BC
Alexis from Leander, Texas USA wrote on October 12, 2016
Dear Mr.c
I love your book My teacher is a alien. My class is one that you wrote back to recently .My teacher is Mrs.Corl.I think that we are on the 9th chapter.
Alexis
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alexis - Glad you are enjoying MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN. I have written many books, and it is always hard work. But I have to say I think MTIAA was one of the ones that I had the most fun writing. Happily, kids seem to have a lot of fun reading it!

BC
Tessa, Irene, and Madison from Los Angeles, California USA wrote on October 10, 2016
Hi, our names are Tessa, Madison, and Irene. We like your book Jeremy Thatcher because it has so many fun adventures with Tiamat. We like the lovable friendship that Tiamat and Jeremey have together. How did you feel when you were writing the book? Did you feel joyful? Did you feel happy?We all felt happy reading this book. Thank you for writing the book!
From Tessa, Madison,and Irene.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Tessa, Irene, and Madison -

Thanks for this note. I'm delighted that you enjoyed JEREMY THATCHER so much.

Your question about how I felt while I was writing the book is an interesting one. I can tell you that some of the time I felt confused, or nervous, because I was trying to figure out what should happen next and how to make it work. But there were other times when I did indeed feel joyful - for example, the scene were Jeremy gets to fly!

I am truly glad that the book made you happy!

BC
Cozett, Kaydence, Zane, Diego from Los Angeles, California USA wrote on October 10, 2016
Dear Bruce Coville,
We like your book Jeremy Thatcher,Dragon Hatcher because it is full of adventures and surprises. Our favorite parts are when the dragon, Tiamat, hatched out of the egg and when Jeremy stumbled upon the magic shop.The words were crystal clear in our heads. We could see those pictures. We would like to know how you came up with the story. What inspired you? You have inspired us to write our own magical stories. Please respond to us. Thank you, Bruce Coville.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Cozett, Kaydence, Zane, and Diego! Good to hear from you.

Delighted to know that you enjoyed JEREMY THATCHER. As to how I came up with the story ... well, the first Magic Shop book was called THE MONSTER'S RING. I wanted to write a sequel, but the editor wasn't crazy about the idea. So then I had the thought of writing a book of short stories about the Magic Shop, and one day I sat down and brainstormed to come up with a list of things that you could buy in the shop. One of them was a dragon's egg.

The thing was, when I tried to write that as a short story, the idea turned out to be too big for that form ... it really needed to be a novel. And that's what happened.

Good luck with your own stories!

All best,

BC
Irene Bae from la Jolla, California USA wrote on October 9, 2016
Dear Mr.Coville
Hi? My name is Irene Bae, and I'm fifth grade.
I'm reading your book,'The Ghost in the Big Brass Bed'for an Author Study Project. And this book is really fun! I like that character and concept. Thank you for write this book and please write many books like this!
And can you please send me a reply, to make a great Author Study Project? Thank you for read this letter.
Sinserely,Irene Bae.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Irene -

Oh, I'm glad you're reading (and enjoying!) "The Ghost in the Big Brass Bed." Because the book is no longer available in print, I don't hear that much about it these days, but it is one I am especially proud of.

The inspiration for the book came partly from an old house that is not far from my office. I would often walk past it and think, "That would be a good place for a ghost story." But when I actually came to write the book, I decided I needed to move it away from the crowded city block to make it more isolated ... and thus more scary!

Here's a little tidbit you might enjoy: Norma Bliss is a real person, and a friend of mine. She is so lively and funny that I asked her if it would be all right to use her as a character in a book, and she agreed. The only problem was, her character is so big and funny she kept trying to take over the story! ;>

Your friend,

BC
Ava from Wentzville, USA wrote on October 8, 2016
How many of your books have I read, ALMOST ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Excellent! Clearly you enjoy them, and that makes me happy!
Ava from USA wrote on October 7, 2016
I made a book in writing and do you know the author kate Dicomillow, well I read the book to the class and at the end I gave a really bad cliffhanger just like you do! and my teacher got goosebumbs and said she felt like it was a Kate Dicamillow book and that she wished it was a real book. I do too and I wish I could give you a copy
Sincerely,
Ava
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Ava -

I do indeed know Kate DiCamillo. She's a terrific person.

It makes me proud to know that you devised a good (bad!) cliffhanger for your book. Well done!

BC
Jaden, Will, Jacob, and, Lucas from Los Angeles, Ca. USA wrote on October 3, 2016
Dear Bruce Coville,
We liked the story Jeremy Thatcher because Jeremy gets a dragon as a pet and he can send messages through feelings and pictures and become invisible. We also liked it because Jeremy had a bunch of adventures with the dragon. Our favorite part is when Tiamat is flying and making the cats spill the dinner. It was so funny because Dr.Thacther face planted into the mashed potatoes. Another funny part is when Mary Lou wants to kiss Jeremy. How did you get the idea of the story? We would will love to read all of your books. We would love if you could make a movie.
Jaden, Will, Jacob, and Lucas
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Jaden, Will, Jacob, and Lucas!

So glad to know that you liked JEREMY THATCHER! I actually laughed out loud when I was writing that dinner table scene, which is not something that happens all that often when I am working. It was so much fun to do!

As to Mary Lou wanting to kiss Jeremy ... well, when I was in 4th or 5th grade one of the girls announced that she was in love with me. It was very embarrassing at the time!

Like you, I would love it if there was a movie of JEREMY. But writers do not make movies ... Hollywood makes movies. Maybe someday it will happen, but that depends on a studio wanting to make the movie. It's not something that I could do. I have enough to do just writing my books!

Thanks for your message,

BC
Arden, Avery,and Colton from Los Angeles, Ca. USA wrote on October 3, 2016
Dear Bruce Coville,
We all enjoyed the book Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Colton liked how you described the magic shop items like the multicolored ball. Arden liked the similes, like when you described Tiamat's wings as red as blood. Avery liked the funny part when Tiamat gave Mr.Kravitz a hot foot. We all liked the friendship in the story. We all hope you keep writing more Jeremy Thatcher books.
Sincerely,
Arden,Avery,and Colton
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi there, Arden, Avery,and Colton!

Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER. I'm especially glad to know that you liked the description of the Magic Shop. Basically, I was trying to create the Magic Shop that I had in my head when I was a kid, the kind I always hoped that I might find someday!

Writing the hotfoot scene for Mr. Kravitz was fun ... especially since I based the character on an art teacher who had been mean to my little sister when we were kids. It was a way to get a little revenge without actually hurting anyone!

Thanks for your message!

BC