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.

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964 entries.
Jennifer from Lawrenceville, Georgia USA wrote on May 14, 2014
Hi Bruce! I can't believe I'm talking to one of my childhood heroes. I wanted you to know that your books have changed my life, and without a doubt, changed it for the best. Your wide range of work is wonderful, but I will always have a special place in my heart for Rod Albright and his intergalactic friends. Your books have a level of creativity, depth, and substance that I can't begin to describe. I remember life lessons I learned from you through your characters, like "Never do anything out of fear,"--a truth I try to live by to this day. It's because of authors like you that I hope to inspire future readers too, through my own works. Thank you for sharing beauty with the world by daring to write, and write well.
Ever your friend, and avid reader,
Jennifer
(PS--the illustrations in your books are lovely too! The ones of Rod Albright and crew are enchanting, and Blork from Space Brat is hilariously expressive!)
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jennifer -

Thanks for this lovely message. "Your books have changed my life" is pretty much the ultimate compliment for an author!

I have a special fondness for the Rod Albright books myself, in no small part because Rod is basically me . . . the only character in over a hundred books that I've based totally and completely on myself. The fact that you've adapted "Never do anything out of fear" as a watch-phrase especially pleases me, as it is a motto I try to adhere to in my own life.

I'm also delighted that you like the illustrations so much, as they are by my brilliant wife, who I think to be the perfect match for stories!

All best wishes,

BC
Thomas Clawson from Van Nuys, Ca USA wrote on May 12, 2014
I am now 30, just to begin. In the fifth grade I needed a book for an upcoming assignment. I walked the rows of shelves over and over and could never find something that caught my eye. Until I found this yellow hardcover who's spine read "The Monster's Ring." The Magic Shop became one of my favorite places and influenced my love or reading and writing for the rest of my life! Thank you for these books! You are a hero to me and many other kids!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Thomas -

I loved reading this. I have had many teachers and parents tell me that The Monster's Ring was the book that first opened the doors of reading for someone. And it always makes me happy. But it's even better to hear it from one of those readers himself!

These words "You are a hero to me and many other kids!" are something that I will cherish. Thank you for them.

BC
Catherine Owens from Versailles, Kentucky USA wrote on May 12, 2014
Bruce,
As a child, you were my favorite author. I loved the Nina Tanleven series, and I sent you a letter in the early 90s telling you how much I wanted to be a writer like you. You sent back a very encouraging reply, and I never forgot that. I am six months away from having my first child, and I plan to raise him/her on your books!
Thanks for adventures,
Catherine Owens
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Catherine -

Thanks for this, which totally delighted me. I don't hear much about the Nina books anymore, as they've been out of print for a few years now, but they remain personal favorites of mine, partly because I based Nine and Chris on my daughter and her best friend.

Congratulations on the impending arrival of your first child. I'm thrilled to know that you'll be sharing my stories with him/her. There's not much more a writer can wish for than to be carried on to another generation!

All best,

Bruce
Arshia Moniri from Tehran, Iran wrote on May 8, 2014
Hi Mr. Coville
I learned Cursive Handwriting. Do you know it?
Where can I talk with you expect in Facebook and your website ( You didn't tell me your email address. )?
Have a nice day.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Arshia -

Yes, I know cursive. I used to be a school teacher, so I had to teach cursive to my students. My own handwriting got a lot better as a result!

BC
Arshia Moniri from Tehran, Iran wrote on May 7, 2014
Hi
Sorry Mr.Coville, I don't know english language very well, so I can't understand what is your religion. 🙁
Are you Christian?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Arshia -

Actually I think your english is pretty good. I suspect it's just that you haven't heard anything about the branches of Christianity I was discussing.

Shorter answer: I was raised as a Christian, but at this time I am not connected to any religion.
Melanie Mather from USA wrote on May 6, 2014
Hi, Bruce! As always, the Unicorn Chronicles are a thrilling read and the FCA recordings are incredible; every voice is just spot-on. I plan to read the whole series again this summer.
The questions I have for you today:
- How did you first come up with the idea for UC? Where did it all begin?
- Who is your favorite UC character, or who would you say was the most fun to write about?
- Did any of the sad scenes make you cry, or threaten to?
- Which of the UC characters' back stories would you further flesh out if you could?
Thanks again for everything, Bruce, and happy writing!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Melanie -

Nice to hear from you! And I'm so glad that you like the FCA recordings of the Unicorn Chronicles. Making those was a true labor of love.

Now on to your questions:

The seeds of the idea came from a meeting with Jean Feiwel at Scholastic. She wanted me to create a new series for them, we tossed some ideas back and forth, she said "unicorns" and I was off and running.

As to who was most fun to write about, there is no doubt that that honor goes to the Squijum.

Yes, some of the sad scenes made me cry. After I wrote one particular scene in DARK WHISPERS (I won't specify, so as not to create a spoiler) I flung myself on the couch and sobbed.

I had hoped to do many more books in the world of Luster, but it looks as if that is not to be. One of the stories I had hoped to tell was how Thomas the Tinker first came to Luster, and what adventures he had then.

Always great to hear from you!

Bruce
Lisa Maricic from Pittsburgh, PA USA wrote on May 5, 2014
Hello Mr.Coville! I was just looking at my book collection and finally decided to give you a shout. I was about 10 or 11 when I first read Into the Land of the Unicorns and fell in love with it. I just turned 30 and I have to say that the Unicorn Chronicles still holds such a very special place in my heart. I waited for each one to come out and was not disappointed when they did. So I wanted to say thank you for writing these books and bringing so much joy into many peoples lives. Also, I feel like I have a rare copy of the first book in hardback. I can't seem to find a similar copy anywhere online. Is there any way I can send I picture of the book to you? Sincerely, Lisa maricic
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Lisa -

What a lovely message! It's one thing to have a young reader love a book . . . having that same reader still love the book 20 years later is what an author dreams of. I'm so glad that the later books did not disappoint. They were hard for me to write , and my greatest fear was letting down my readers.

You can send a picture to info@brucecoville.com and ask my assistant, Mike, to pass it on to me. (Happily, I still have a copy of the first edition myself.)

Thanks for stopping by to say what the books meant to you!

BC
Arshia Moniri from Tehran, Iran wrote on May 4, 2014
Do you have an Skype account?
If you have we can talk with each other in there too.
I have a new question. What is your religion?
Answer me earlier.
A. Moniri
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Arshia -

Sorry, I'm not up for doing Skype visits.

As to my religion, I was raised as a Methodist, which is a Protestant branch of Christianity. I am now a Unitarian-Universalist.

All best,

Bruce
Arshia Moniri from Iran wrote on May 3, 2014
Hi
Waht is your REAL email Mr. Coville?
Reply by Bruce Coville
That is a deep, dark secret! ;>

BC
Billy Bob Joe from Greenboro, Tennesse USA wrote on May 2, 2014
Sometimes i like to wear pants but when i dont i wear a skirt. People make fun of me and its not nice. How do you catch a rabbit? you hide in the field and make carrot noises
Reply by Bruce Coville
I think people should be allowed to dress however they want.

I often wear a cabbage on my head.