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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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966 entries.
I'm a 17 year old student, and I still find your books fantastic reads! I've been an avid reader for almost ten years, and in thattime I've read all your Rod Albright adventures, your My Teacher is an Alien series, and the majority of the single works you'vecontributed to such books as Books of Magic (I and II) and the Wizard's Dozen. I've recently finished Oddly Enough, and believe it tobe one of your best works. I write ameteurly myself and agree with your views on the moods of writing habits.I'm writting this on a perticular question, though. The first story in Oddly Enough was titled "The Box", and with the same themesefound in another work, "Bear at the Gate." My question, after commenting on how much I enjoy both, is this: have you done moreof these "heavenly works", or is this to be a forever craving? Keep up the excellent work!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alwaleed -
First off, thanks for this lovely message. So glad you've enjoyed the books so much!
I'm especially happy with your response to ODDLY ENOUGH. Though I am primarily a novelist I've discovered (to my own surprise!) that some of my best writing has been done in the short story form. I personally think that "The Box" is probably the best thing I ever wrote.
I do have another story that deals with the afterlife, called "Herbert Hutchison in the Underworld" but I am not sure if you would like it . . . it is like a dark mirror to "The Box".
Thanks for taking the time to say hello!
All best,
BC
First off, thanks for this lovely message. So glad you've enjoyed the books so much!
I'm especially happy with your response to ODDLY ENOUGH. Though I am primarily a novelist I've discovered (to my own surprise!) that some of my best writing has been done in the short story form. I personally think that "The Box" is probably the best thing I ever wrote.
I do have another story that deals with the afterlife, called "Herbert Hutchison in the Underworld" but I am not sure if you would like it . . . it is like a dark mirror to "The Box".
Thanks for taking the time to say hello!
All best,
BC
The drudges of graduate studies have brought me to your website! Reminiscing about childhood earlier today I recalled reading many of your books as an elementary student. My favorite in particular was Goblins in the Castle. I attended elementary school at St. Joseph's Elementary in Malone, NY. In 5th grade it was a dream come true when I won a writing contest and was able to have lunch with you and some of my fellow students! Although adult life can be very unimaginative at times, I would like to thank you for playing a role in developing my imagination at an early age. I hope all is well.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Ryan -
Glad to provide some relief from the drudgery. (Hmmm. Maybe I should start a company called "Drudgery Relief, Inc.)
Kidding aside, I loved getting your message - and especially knowing that GOBLINS was one of your favorites. That book is probably closer to the kind of thing I =thought= I would be doing when I started writing for kids than almost anything else I had done up to that point.
Glad to know you remember that student lunch, too. I still do those when I am on school visits, and it's delightful to know that they stick around in memory!
All best,
Bruce
Glad to provide some relief from the drudgery. (Hmmm. Maybe I should start a company called "Drudgery Relief, Inc.)
Kidding aside, I loved getting your message - and especially knowing that GOBLINS was one of your favorites. That book is probably closer to the kind of thing I =thought= I would be doing when I started writing for kids than almost anything else I had done up to that point.
Glad to know you remember that student lunch, too. I still do those when I am on school visits, and it's delightful to know that they stick around in memory!
All best,
Bruce
I am a teacher and I read the Magic Shop series every year in my fourth grade class. I read them a chapter, or two,... or three, every day. It has taught my students and myself, more important life lessons than anything else. I love the conversations and ideas the books incite in my students, each one affecting a different group of students. Jeremy Thatcher inspires care and responsibility, while Jennifer Murdley's ALWAYS helps boost self confidence. The Monster's Ring encourages self-control, and the Skull of Truth reminds us of both the importance and awkwardness of honesty. Of course Juliet Dove is good for revealing crushes and countless giggles, as well as a fount of poetry inspiration! I will never stop crying, laughing with, or learning from Mr. S. H. Elives and co..
Reply by Bruce Coville
Lillian! Thank you for this truly lovely message. It really delights me to know that you use all four of these books with your classes. And it double delights me that you are teaching fourth grade, as I used to be a fourth grade teacher myself. In fact Russell and Eddie from MONSTER'S RING are based on two of my students from back then!
Thanks for stopping by to say hello . . . and for sharing my books with so many children!
Bruce
Thanks for stopping by to say hello . . . and for sharing my books with so many children!
Bruce
When I was very young, I was alone except for the company of books, yours had such a staggering influence on my childhood and life that I think my love of science fiction was first founded in My teacher is an Alien. Because of your work, I was never truly alone, and I hope in the same way, when my son comes of age, he will love your work as much as I do. Times have shaped me into a bad independent movie maker and composer, and I think if it were not for your work, I would never have had the experiences I have had. (Don't worry, I havn't been abducting any teachers and replacing them for nefarious alien reasons!) Best wishes!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Alex -
Many thanks for this. Glad to know I had such a happy effect on your childhood!
I checked out your YouTube site - enjoyed seeing your introduction to what you're up to.
Thanks for checking in here!
Bruce
Many thanks for this. Glad to know I had such a happy effect on your childhood!
I checked out your YouTube site - enjoyed seeing your introduction to what you're up to.
Thanks for checking in here!
Bruce
I am in my early 30s and I just have to say that I still think about great my childhood was having the beautiful worlds and characters you create to entertain me. There is currently a copy of Goblins in the Castle on my bookshelf and while I haven't read it in years, I love having it there to return to whenever I feel the need. From the "My Teacher is an Alien" series to "Rod Albright" to waiting for my mom to return with the next book of the A.I. Gang, my passion for reading was shaped by your work, Sir. I just had to write to say thank you.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alex -
Thanks for this message, which totally delighted me. Knowing that a book you have written lives on in someone's memory is about the sweetest thing a writer can hope for!
Bruce
Thanks for this message, which totally delighted me. Knowing that a book you have written lives on in someone's memory is about the sweetest thing a writer can hope for!
Bruce
I love to read your books my mom and I are reading the unicorn chronicles we are just finishing book 2 The Song of The Wanderer. I am a big fan you ar emy favorite Author and I am inspired by your imaginative stories. I am starting the 6th grade in 3 weeks
I hope to hear from you,
Colton Tibbits
I hope to hear from you,
Colton Tibbits
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Colton - I'm so glad you are enjoying the Unicorn Chronicles! Thanks for letting me know.
Hope you have a blast in 6th grade. That's one of the years I remember most clearly from my own school life.
BC
Hope you have a blast in 6th grade. That's one of the years I remember most clearly from my own school life.
BC
Hi my name is Mary. I read quite a few of your books as a child. I didn't pay attention to authors or their names as a child and just looked for the stories themselves but I soon came to know your name and became excited when I saw it on a book. My favorite book series from you was the Rod Allbright series. I am 23 now and am rereading it, and am so excited that I am falling in love with them all over again. Honestly, they make me really happy, I am noticing all kinds of wonderful moments that I just read over as a child. Thank you so much for the opportunity to enjoy this artwork from your brain. Rereading it, I believe the way you explain things in the book helped form the way I see things in the world. Your books I find even soothe my adult stresses. Especially when Tar tells Rod, "Real work gives joy. False work breeds despair." I'm sorry rambling, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your stories. -Mary K
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Mary -
Many thanks for this lovely message. The Rod Allbright stories are very close to my heart, since Rod is the only character out of all my books who is based totally and completely on myself.
My wife, who did the illustrations, started drawing even before I started writing. The character designs she came up with were much more interesting than what I originally had in mind!
The idea that my books soothe your adult stresses really means a lot to me!
BC
Many thanks for this lovely message. The Rod Allbright stories are very close to my heart, since Rod is the only character out of all my books who is based totally and completely on myself.
My wife, who did the illustrations, started drawing even before I started writing. The character designs she came up with were much more interesting than what I originally had in mind!
The idea that my books soothe your adult stresses really means a lot to me!
BC
I started reading your novels beginning with Space Brat and the Magic Shop series when I was about 10 or 11 and they had a profound impact on my life. Growing up in the Caribbean, they exposed me to unimaginable worlds. I am still a voracious reader to this day (now an engineering PhD student) so I just wanted to say thanks for the memories and fueling my curiosity. Keep inspiring children everywhere!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Andy -
Thanks for this. What I particularly loved about this message is that I always meant SPACE BRAT to be a starter book to lead young readers into the longer stories. Sounds as if that worked for you.
And it thoroughly delights me to know that (a) you are still a voracious reader and (b) you're heading for a PhD in engineering!
Onward and upward for both of us!
BC
Thanks for this. What I particularly loved about this message is that I always meant SPACE BRAT to be a starter book to lead young readers into the longer stories. Sounds as if that worked for you.
And it thoroughly delights me to know that (a) you are still a voracious reader and (b) you're heading for a PhD in engineering!
Onward and upward for both of us!
BC
I am 7 years old. I am almost finished reading Dragon of Doom. This is the first chapter book I have ever read and I love it. You are my favorite author! I checked out The Weeping Werewolf from the library. I want to read the whole series this summer. Maybe I will meet you one day.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Ethan -
I'm so glad to know you loved MOONGOBBLE! I loved, loved, loved writing those books. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. Have a great summer. And who knows? We may indeed meet sometime!
BC
I'm so glad to know you loved MOONGOBBLE! I loved, loved, loved writing those books. I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. Have a great summer. And who knows? We may indeed meet sometime!
BC
my class just finished JEREMY THATCHER DRAGON HATCHER and i wondered if S. H. Elives purposely spells "she lives"? Was this done on purpose meaning that she (the dragon) lives happily?
Thank You
River
Thank You
River
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, River -
Very observant of you! You are indeed correct that I chose the spelling
S. H. Elives because it can be read as "she lives" I didn't intend it to refer to the dragon, though. It was intended to indicate that Mr. Elives was doing moon magic, and the moon is seen as feminine, sometimes even as a goddess.
However I like your interpretation equally well!
BC
Very observant of you! You are indeed correct that I chose the spelling
S. H. Elives because it can be read as "she lives" I didn't intend it to refer to the dragon, though. It was intended to indicate that Mr. Elives was doing moon magic, and the moon is seen as feminine, sometimes even as a goddess.
However I like your interpretation equally well!
BC