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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
I was recently able to reread your short story Am I Blue and it brought back a barrage of memories. It was honestly the story that began me on my journey of being able to be comfortable with who I really am. Finding out that my favorite childhood author, and one of my favorites to this day, had written something like that, it honestly changed my life. So I just wanted to thank you for that, thank you so much
Reply by Bruce Coville
You are completely welcome, my anonymous friend.
I mostly write to entertain, but "Am I Blue" is a story that I had hoped might do some good in the world. A comment such as yours tells me that indeed it has. I'm glad I was able to help a bit on your journey.
Bruce
I mostly write to entertain, but "Am I Blue" is a story that I had hoped might do some good in the world. A comment such as yours tells me that indeed it has. I'm glad I was able to help a bit on your journey.
Bruce
Greetings Bruce Coville,
We read your Jeremy Thatcher,Dragon Hatcher. You inspired us to write our own magic shop stories. It was really funny when Tiamat gave Mr. Kravitz a hotfoot and when Mary Lou embarrassed Jeremy in art class. We like how you were creative with names like Fat Pete, Speciman, and Grief. What inspired you to write Jeremy Thatcher,Dragon Hatcher? We hope you write part 2 and we are also curious if you are going to make a movie of it.
Ayden, Gavin, and Braydon
We read your Jeremy Thatcher,Dragon Hatcher. You inspired us to write our own magic shop stories. It was really funny when Tiamat gave Mr. Kravitz a hotfoot and when Mary Lou embarrassed Jeremy in art class. We like how you were creative with names like Fat Pete, Speciman, and Grief. What inspired you to write Jeremy Thatcher,Dragon Hatcher? We hope you write part 2 and we are also curious if you are going to make a movie of it.
Ayden, Gavin, and Braydon
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi there, Gavin, Ayden, and Braydon -
I think it's very cool that you are writing your own Magic Shop stories. I hope you had (or are still having!) a good time doing it!
You asked about how I came up with some of the names. Well, part of it is this: as a writer, words are my tools ... but they are also my toys! I love playing around with words to see what I can come up with. That said, in one case I took the name from real life. One of my friends from when I was a boy scout was a kid who had the nickname Specimen.
I have had an idea for a sequel to JEREMY THATCHER, but the idea would actually be an adult book, so I'm not sure if I will ever write it, since I really do like writing for kids best.
Thanks for your message!
BC
I think it's very cool that you are writing your own Magic Shop stories. I hope you had (or are still having!) a good time doing it!
You asked about how I came up with some of the names. Well, part of it is this: as a writer, words are my tools ... but they are also my toys! I love playing around with words to see what I can come up with. That said, in one case I took the name from real life. One of my friends from when I was a boy scout was a kid who had the nickname Specimen.
I have had an idea for a sequel to JEREMY THATCHER, but the idea would actually be an adult book, so I'm not sure if I will ever write it, since I really do like writing for kids best.
Thanks for your message!
BC
Hi Bruce Coville,
We enjoyed Jeremy Thatcher,Dragon Hatcher. One of the reasons we like the book is that is has a lot of details like when Jeremy approached the shop. We liked the scene when he was in the magic shop. It was so exciting when Jeremy discovered the dragon egg(and when he discovered it was a dragon). We also liked the part when Jeremy went on his midnight flights with Tiamat. We would like you to write a sequel about Jeremy going to Tiamat's world. You did a great job on that book.
Your happy readers,
Caitin,Maya,and Saifuddin
We enjoyed Jeremy Thatcher,Dragon Hatcher. One of the reasons we like the book is that is has a lot of details like when Jeremy approached the shop. We liked the scene when he was in the magic shop. It was so exciting when Jeremy discovered the dragon egg(and when he discovered it was a dragon). We also liked the part when Jeremy went on his midnight flights with Tiamat. We would like you to write a sequel about Jeremy going to Tiamat's world. You did a great job on that book.
Your happy readers,
Caitin,Maya,and Saifuddin
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey there, Maya, Caitlin, and Saifuddin -
Thanks for letting me know you liked JEREMY THATCHER. You mentioned the details that I use, and I am glad that you enjoyed them. One of the important things I learned when I was working on becoming a writer was to be precise and careful with details, and to try to find the most interesting ways to describe things.
There is a saying among writers: "God is in the details." Which kind of means that it is the details that bring a story to life.
I mentioned to some of your classmates that I have had an idea for a sequel to the book ... what I did not tell them was that it involves exactly what you suggest: having Jeremy go to Tiamat's world. However (as I did tell them) the idea is for an adult book, so it is unlikely I will write it. I much prefer writing for kids!
I like your sign off "Your happy readers" - making readers happy is my job and my goal! I'm glad this book did that for you.
All best,
BC
Thanks for letting me know you liked JEREMY THATCHER. You mentioned the details that I use, and I am glad that you enjoyed them. One of the important things I learned when I was working on becoming a writer was to be precise and careful with details, and to try to find the most interesting ways to describe things.
There is a saying among writers: "God is in the details." Which kind of means that it is the details that bring a story to life.
I mentioned to some of your classmates that I have had an idea for a sequel to the book ... what I did not tell them was that it involves exactly what you suggest: having Jeremy go to Tiamat's world. However (as I did tell them) the idea is for an adult book, so it is unlikely I will write it. I much prefer writing for kids!
I like your sign off "Your happy readers" - making readers happy is my job and my goal! I'm glad this book did that for you.
All best,
BC
Hello Mr. Coville,
I read your book Into the Land of the Unicorns when I was in fifth grade. I immediately fell in love with it. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second, only it hadn't been written yet. When you finished, I read it immediately and once again fell in love. I'm now 27 years old and going through an old tote of books in my parents house and happened to find these two paperbacks in brand new condition. I started to read them over again because these books are what made me fall in love with reading. I see that there are two more books in the chronicles but yet I cannot get my hands on The Last Hunt unless I'm willing to pay a hefty price. I guess I'm wondering why the last one is so expensive and if there is any way I can finally read (not hear) the last of your inspired work?
Sincerely,
Samantha
I read your book Into the Land of the Unicorns when I was in fifth grade. I immediately fell in love with it. I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second, only it hadn't been written yet. When you finished, I read it immediately and once again fell in love. I'm now 27 years old and going through an old tote of books in my parents house and happened to find these two paperbacks in brand new condition. I started to read them over again because these books are what made me fall in love with reading. I see that there are two more books in the chronicles but yet I cannot get my hands on The Last Hunt unless I'm willing to pay a hefty price. I guess I'm wondering why the last one is so expensive and if there is any way I can finally read (not hear) the last of your inspired work?
Sincerely,
Samantha
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Samantha -
I'm delighted that you remember the first two books of "The Unicorn Chronicles" so fondly - and truly sorry that you're having a hard time obtaining THE LAST HUNT at a reasonable price.
The reason for that is simple, and something I have no control over: Scholastic put the book out of print without ever doing a paperback edition (something that still baffles and saddens me). So it is a fairly rare item, and the only copies available are from used booksellers, or booksellers who had extra copies, and are now profiting from the books scarcity. A reseller such as that will price the book at what the market will bear; it is their right and something an author has no control over.
I am working to get the books back into print in new editions, but it will be a while before that can happen.
With regrets,
Bruce Coville
I'm delighted that you remember the first two books of "The Unicorn Chronicles" so fondly - and truly sorry that you're having a hard time obtaining THE LAST HUNT at a reasonable price.
The reason for that is simple, and something I have no control over: Scholastic put the book out of print without ever doing a paperback edition (something that still baffles and saddens me). So it is a fairly rare item, and the only copies available are from used booksellers, or booksellers who had extra copies, and are now profiting from the books scarcity. A reseller such as that will price the book at what the market will bear; it is their right and something an author has no control over.
I am working to get the books back into print in new editions, but it will be a while before that can happen.
With regrets,
Bruce Coville
Dear Mr.covle
what inspierd you to write my teacher is a alen.And I am loving my teacher is a alen. What other books are you planing to write. How many more books are you going to write
what inspierd you to write my teacher is a alen.And I am loving my teacher is a alen. What other books are you planing to write. How many more books are you going to write
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Faith -
I was actually asked to write MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN by a publishing company I worked with. They did not know that I was especially appropriate, because we actually had a rumor go around my own school when I was a kid that aliens were going to invade and take away all the kids. So I could draw on my memory of that when I was writing this book.
I don't know how many more books I will write ... it depends on how long I live!
Bruce Coville
I was actually asked to write MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN by a publishing company I worked with. They did not know that I was especially appropriate, because we actually had a rumor go around my own school when I was a kid that aliens were going to invade and take away all the kids. So I could draw on my memory of that when I was writing this book.
I don't know how many more books I will write ... it depends on how long I live!
Bruce Coville
Why did you use the last name Eggleston with the name Charlie? Where did you get the name from?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Liz -
I had a friend in school whose last name was Eggleston, and I thought it sounded right for this character. It's a good name!
BC
I had a friend in school whose last name was Eggleston, and I thought it sounded right for this character. It's a good name!
BC
Dear Mr covle I love your books
Reply by Bruce Coville
Thank you, Faith! I'm glad you enjoy reading them!
BC
BC
Dear Mr. Coville,
We are reading your book My Teacher Is an Alien and we LOVE IT! We just got to the part where they found Mrs. Schwartz in the attic. Something we really like that you do is leave us wanting to read more at the end of each chapter. We are trying to become writers just like you! We have a couple questions: 1. Do you read your own books after they are published? 2. What inspired you to write My Teacher Is an Alien series? 3. Do you plan to keep writing books for kids? 4. We were wondering what planet you came from? 😉 Just kidding.
Love, Mrs. Corl's Class
We are reading your book My Teacher Is an Alien and we LOVE IT! We just got to the part where they found Mrs. Schwartz in the attic. Something we really like that you do is leave us wanting to read more at the end of each chapter. We are trying to become writers just like you! We have a couple questions: 1. Do you read your own books after they are published? 2. What inspired you to write My Teacher Is an Alien series? 3. Do you plan to keep writing books for kids? 4. We were wondering what planet you came from? 😉 Just kidding.
Love, Mrs. Corl's Class
Reply by Bruce Coville
Ahoy Mrs. Corl's Third Grade -
Thanks for writing. I'm delighted that you are enjoying My Teacher Is an Alien! I can tell you I had a blast writing it. Sometimes a book is really hard work, but this one just seemed to come naturally.
As to your questions . . .
1) I will usually re-read a book at some point after it has been published. Also, I actually run an audiobook company, and we have recorded many of my books (along with those of many other authors). If we are recording a book, I will end up rereading it many times!
Also, when I am working on a series, I re-read the earlier books to try to keep everything consistent.
2) I was actually invited to write My Teacher is an Alien by a publishing company I worked with. It was supposed to be just one book, not a series. But it turned out to be unexpectedly popular, and I got literally thousands of letters asking for more.
3) I do indeed plan on continuing to write for kids. It's what I do and who I am!
4) What planet am I from? My parents used to wonder the same thing! ;>
your pal,
Bruce Coville
Thanks for writing. I'm delighted that you are enjoying My Teacher Is an Alien! I can tell you I had a blast writing it. Sometimes a book is really hard work, but this one just seemed to come naturally.
As to your questions . . .
1) I will usually re-read a book at some point after it has been published. Also, I actually run an audiobook company, and we have recorded many of my books (along with those of many other authors). If we are recording a book, I will end up rereading it many times!
Also, when I am working on a series, I re-read the earlier books to try to keep everything consistent.
2) I was actually invited to write My Teacher is an Alien by a publishing company I worked with. It was supposed to be just one book, not a series. But it turned out to be unexpectedly popular, and I got literally thousands of letters asking for more.
3) I do indeed plan on continuing to write for kids. It's what I do and who I am!
4) What planet am I from? My parents used to wonder the same thing! ;>
your pal,
Bruce Coville