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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.
Dear Mr. Coville, I just got off the phone with my 30 year old son, after asking if he remembered your name from the books we used to read. I am writing just to share with you a recent experience related to your writing.
In one of your "Alien" books I read that the superior beings (can't remember much about them) were afraid of Earthlings but one guy always stood up for the Earthlings. He said that the main problem with Earth people was they were always using new technology before they were developmentally ready. Well, that was the meaning of what he said. That has always stuck with me as rather profound. I could definitely see it with television, which has wreaked a lot of havoc with our society. So last week I attended talks by two Nobel prize nominees who are women advocating for peace and non-violence. It occurred to me that you could say the same thing about drones. We are far from mature enough as a race to use them for their best and highest purpose, which certainly cannot be blowing people up or even peeping on them.
Finally I just read in the NY Times Review of Books an essay about technology and "Post Humanism". The author, Leon Wieseltier, wrote, "Every technology is used before it is completely understood. There is always a lag between an innovation and the apprehension of its consequences. We are living in that lag and it is a right time to keep our heads and reflect."
You may want to read the essay. Thank you for your storytelling.
In one of your "Alien" books I read that the superior beings (can't remember much about them) were afraid of Earthlings but one guy always stood up for the Earthlings. He said that the main problem with Earth people was they were always using new technology before they were developmentally ready. Well, that was the meaning of what he said. That has always stuck with me as rather profound. I could definitely see it with television, which has wreaked a lot of havoc with our society. So last week I attended talks by two Nobel prize nominees who are women advocating for peace and non-violence. It occurred to me that you could say the same thing about drones. We are far from mature enough as a race to use them for their best and highest purpose, which certainly cannot be blowing people up or even peeping on them.
Finally I just read in the NY Times Review of Books an essay about technology and "Post Humanism". The author, Leon Wieseltier, wrote, "Every technology is used before it is completely understood. There is always a lag between an innovation and the apprehension of its consequences. We are living in that lag and it is a right time to keep our heads and reflect."
You may want to read the essay. Thank you for your storytelling.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Connie -
First off, my apologies for taking so long to respond. There was a glitch with the guestbook and I wasn't getting notifications of when new messages were being posted. We've got it fixed now, but I am waaaaay behind on answering people.
That said . . . many thanks for this message. You've put me in with some good company, and the Wieseltier quote is both wise and thought -provoking.
All best,
BC
First off, my apologies for taking so long to respond. There was a glitch with the guestbook and I wasn't getting notifications of when new messages were being posted. We've got it fixed now, but I am waaaaay behind on answering people.
That said . . . many thanks for this message. You've put me in with some good company, and the Wieseltier quote is both wise and thought -provoking.
All best,
BC
It is Ja'Nell again I just wanted you to know the I am doing a school bio on you and I think you are really cool, so are your books
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Ja'Nell -
Hope the biography project went well and you got a good grade!
BC
Hope the biography project went well and you got a good grade!
BC
This would be great if I actually get to talk to Bruce Coville
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Janell
My apologies for taking so long to respond. There was a glitch with the guestbook and I wasn't getting notifications of when new messages were being posted. We've got it fixed now, but I am waaaaay behind on answering people.
Anyway, here you are - a genuine response from the genuine me!
BC
My apologies for taking so long to respond. There was a glitch with the guestbook and I wasn't getting notifications of when new messages were being posted. We've got it fixed now, but I am waaaaay behind on answering people.
Anyway, here you are - a genuine response from the genuine me!
BC
i just finished reading jermy thatcher dragon hatcher and i was wandering if you were going to have any more books with mr elives magic shop.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Dylan -
No plans for any more Magic Shop books at this point, alas.
BC
No plans for any more Magic Shop books at this point, alas.
BC
Hi from your Buckshot neighbour! I hope your September is going well. It somehow feels like a long time ago that we were at the cottage, but it's only been a couple of weeks. We are counting the weeks until next year's visit.
I have a question...I'm sorry to say that we had to have our cat Kirby euthanized. The quality of his life deteriorated rapidly after our holiday and it was the right decision for him.
I know there is another kitty in our future, this house has never not had a cat in it. I was quite taken by Adam and Charlotte's Rag Doll kitten, and I know they got her from a breeder in Toronto. Could you possibly give me the breeder's contact info.? I think my heart needs a rest for a time, but might be interested down the road.
Thanks Bruce! See you in 49 weeks!
I have a question...I'm sorry to say that we had to have our cat Kirby euthanized. The quality of his life deteriorated rapidly after our holiday and it was the right decision for him.
I know there is another kitty in our future, this house has never not had a cat in it. I was quite taken by Adam and Charlotte's Rag Doll kitten, and I know they got her from a breeder in Toronto. Could you possibly give me the breeder's contact info.? I think my heart needs a rest for a time, but might be interested down the road.
Thanks Bruce! See you in 49 weeks!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Karen -
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Kirby. He was such a fine cat!
I'll talk to Adam and Charlotte and see if I can get contact info for the Rag Doll breeder.
I am sorry to be so behind-hand in responding. For some reason there was a glitch in the guestbook system, and I have not been getting notifications when someone is posting here. My apologies.
All best,
Bruce
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Kirby. He was such a fine cat!
I'll talk to Adam and Charlotte and see if I can get contact info for the Rag Doll breeder.
I am sorry to be so behind-hand in responding. For some reason there was a glitch in the guestbook system, and I have not been getting notifications when someone is posting here. My apologies.
All best,
Bruce
Why won't you make a goblins in the castle 2. I thought that was a very good book
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Tommy -
Sorry to be so long in answering! There has been a glitch in the guestbook and it stopped sending me notifications of when a message came in. Very embarrassing!
However I do have some good news: After years of work, there is indeed a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. It's going to be called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL. and it's coming out on June 15!
Sorry to be so long in answering! There has been a glitch in the guestbook and it stopped sending me notifications of when a message came in. Very embarrassing!
However I do have some good news: After years of work, there is indeed a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. It's going to be called GOBLINS ON THE PROWL. and it's coming out on June 15!
Hi Mr Coville you were my Teacher in Wetzel Elementary school. You were so theatrical in your readings I will never forget you. Thank you so much. I recommend your books to all the kids I meet.
Todd Riposo
Todd Riposo
Hey bruce,
I saw your comments about your position as "withholding information" as tyrannical? While I feel that citizens of this nation are largely safe with registered access, I am writing a book on philosophy.
And I swing (personally) over the full access in registered form for the educated? While I feel that I largely have such as a responsible and educated citizen, the potential for control or total access is in place with the web.
I am a formally trained scientist, and have large capacity for understanding. Do you really believe that the oppressed or damaged through poor education or fringes of say, African Society would be sparing with mostly "all powerful" access to knowledge? eg. O. B. Lauden (sp?) might have nuked the US rather than sent terrorists to crash airliners into the twin towers?
I waiver on this concept, as to deny such is to anger some. And to oppress, in argument. Our founding fathers believed that our citizens should have access to what ever they may at libraries. And that is still mostly true today, including the government. While there is the potential for "watching" with the registration and abuse in profiling and administration of justice, my belief is that it is not so easy to direct everyone to positive course; as anyone who is not a fair scientists, can not appreciate the larger picture. I probably took me about 25 years of fairly serious formal education to approach such. And working in fields that are mostly technical or public.
I would consider your response philosophical debate for consideration.
I am a fan of the Universe. Feel free to shoot questions back, for consideration?
-Robert
I saw your comments about your position as "withholding information" as tyrannical? While I feel that citizens of this nation are largely safe with registered access, I am writing a book on philosophy.
And I swing (personally) over the full access in registered form for the educated? While I feel that I largely have such as a responsible and educated citizen, the potential for control or total access is in place with the web.
I am a formally trained scientist, and have large capacity for understanding. Do you really believe that the oppressed or damaged through poor education or fringes of say, African Society would be sparing with mostly "all powerful" access to knowledge? eg. O. B. Lauden (sp?) might have nuked the US rather than sent terrorists to crash airliners into the twin towers?
I waiver on this concept, as to deny such is to anger some. And to oppress, in argument. Our founding fathers believed that our citizens should have access to what ever they may at libraries. And that is still mostly true today, including the government. While there is the potential for "watching" with the registration and abuse in profiling and administration of justice, my belief is that it is not so easy to direct everyone to positive course; as anyone who is not a fair scientists, can not appreciate the larger picture. I probably took me about 25 years of fairly serious formal education to approach such. And working in fields that are mostly technical or public.
I would consider your response philosophical debate for consideration.
I am a fan of the Universe. Feel free to shoot questions back, for consideration?
-Robert
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Robert -
I write a lot of things in a lot of places. Can you refer me back to the post or comment you are responding to? I need to see it in order to frame a coherent response to your question.
All best,
BC
I write a lot of things in a lot of places. Can you refer me back to the post or comment you are responding to? I need to see it in order to frame a coherent response to your question.
All best,
BC
Hello mr coville. I have a question for you. What is your religion?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Omid -
I am a Unitarian-Universalist.
BC
I am a Unitarian-Universalist.
BC
Hello mr coville . I am omid. I am in the Hangouts too and you can chat with me in there
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Omid -
I am already on too many different kinds of social media! I hardly have time to write as it is!
BC
I am already on too many different kinds of social media! I hardly have time to write as it is!
BC