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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.
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967 entries.
where do live we are doing a report on one of your books and we need to know some things about you the book i am reading is the monsters ring my friend is reading juliet dove of love
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Gabbie -
I live in Syracuse. You will find a lot of information about me in the Biography page of my website.
THE MONSTER'S RING was the very first chapter book that I published, and was the beginning of the Magic Shop series.
BC
I live in Syracuse. You will find a lot of information about me in the Biography page of my website.
THE MONSTER'S RING was the very first chapter book that I published, and was the beginning of the Magic Shop series.
BC
are you thinking of writing another book because i am hoping you do because all of your books are really great
Reply by Bruce Coville
Oh, I'm always writing. In fact I just finished a new book last Friday. It's called THE DIARY OF A MAD BROWNIE (With Supporting Documents).
BC
BC
I love all your books. I first started reading/listening to the Unicorn Chronicles in second grade or around then. I even reread them a few times. Your Magic Shop books are also entertaining. My favorite book was Juliette Dove, Queen of Love. The My Teacher series wasn't my favorite, but it was still really creative and interesting. Always October was great too. Do you think you can write a sequel? I'm trying to write a world known book, but I can't seem to ever finish one story. I'm continuously starting new ones. Anyway, I would like some advice on writing. Thanks!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sasha -
Thanks for this message - I'm delighted to know that you love the books, and I enjoyed reading which ones are your favorites.
A sequel to ALWAYS OCTOBER is unlikely, alas. The editor I worked with moved to a different company, and then the publisher dumped me (!). So I'll just move on and write other things.
Don't worry about not finishing the stories you start right now. I had the same problem when I was your age. It's something you learn to do as you go along. But here's an important thing: DON'T THROW AWAY the ones you don't finish!! Save them, and you might be able to finish them later. I just sold a story I started writing forty years ago!
For some great advice about writing get a book called SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. Best book for kids who want to write that I have ever read.
Good luck!
BC
Thanks for this message - I'm delighted to know that you love the books, and I enjoyed reading which ones are your favorites.
A sequel to ALWAYS OCTOBER is unlikely, alas. The editor I worked with moved to a different company, and then the publisher dumped me (!). So I'll just move on and write other things.
Don't worry about not finishing the stories you start right now. I had the same problem when I was your age. It's something you learn to do as you go along. But here's an important thing: DON'T THROW AWAY the ones you don't finish!! Save them, and you might be able to finish them later. I just sold a story I started writing forty years ago!
For some great advice about writing get a book called SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. Best book for kids who want to write that I have ever read.
Good luck!
BC
Thank you for visiting our school. Your presentation was engaging and inspiring! We loved learning about how much time, effort and rejection goes into having a book published. We love your Moongobble & Me series. We are starting our own letter writing campaign to try and persuade Simon & Shuster to publish more books in this series. We will keep you informed. Thank you again!
Reply by Bruce Coville
You guys are the best! I had a great time with you - largely because you made such a great audience.
I'll keep my fingers crossed on the Moongobble campaign. I love all those characters and would be really happy to write about them again!
Bruce
I'll keep my fingers crossed on the Moongobble campaign. I love all those characters and would be really happy to write about them again!
Bruce
I love your Magic Shop books, and Goblins in the Castle. While I like many other books you've written, I really keep hoping for more of these.
By the way, while I started reading them with my daughter, I still like them myself.(I'm 61.)
Thanks for your time.
By the way, while I started reading them with my daughter, I still like them myself.(I'm 61.)
Thanks for your time.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hello, Friend -
What a lovely message! You focused on what I would consider some of the best of my work. That said, I regret to report that there is not much chance of any new Magic Shop books right now. The publisher of that series done me wrong in a really serious way, and I am not willing to work with them at this point.
That said, I am happy to report that I have finished a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE! I am in the final stages of revision, and feel pretty good about it. This one is told from Fauna's point of view, and I think it has some very cool stuff in it - including a love interest for Igor!
We are pretty much of an age (I'm 63, about to tip over to 64) so the fact that you still like my books truly delights me!
BC
What a lovely message! You focused on what I would consider some of the best of my work. That said, I regret to report that there is not much chance of any new Magic Shop books right now. The publisher of that series done me wrong in a really serious way, and I am not willing to work with them at this point.
That said, I am happy to report that I have finished a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE! I am in the final stages of revision, and feel pretty good about it. This one is told from Fauna's point of view, and I think it has some very cool stuff in it - including a love interest for Igor!
We are pretty much of an age (I'm 63, about to tip over to 64) so the fact that you still like my books truly delights me!
BC
my dad went to school with your son . i want to ask you about this book i'm trying to write i don't have a title yet but this is what i have so far: davis looked at the letter again. he couldn't belive it he had actually gotten in to Karfit university! but where would he stay he had no family down in Sharleswood. he looked in the paper to see if any apartments were available there was one apartment in Sharleswood. so he sent a letter to Liz Wilson and two weeks later he got a letter back sayig that he got the apartment but would have to live with her and hr daughter
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Eliza -
Well, you are off to a good start. However you need to expand this if you are going to try to make it a book. Right now what you have reads like an outline. You need to flesh it out with details, details, details.
If you are serious about this I would suggest you get the book SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It is the very best guide I know for young writers trying to do a book . . . chock full of useful advice.
Good luck!
BC
Well, you are off to a good start. However you need to expand this if you are going to try to make it a book. Right now what you have reads like an outline. You need to flesh it out with details, details, details.
If you are serious about this I would suggest you get the book SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It is the very best guide I know for young writers trying to do a book . . . chock full of useful advice.
Good luck!
BC
Do you know any websites that allow kids to write stories and create an account? If you do PLEASE let me know. Thanks.
P.S.
I love your books SOOOOOO
much.
P.S.
I love your books SOOOOOO
much.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Gabbie -
Sorry, I don't know of any websites like that, but I bet they are out there. Your school media person could probably help you find them. Good luck! And thanks for loving my books!
BC
Sorry, I don't know of any websites like that, but I bet they are out there. Your school media person could probably help you find them. Good luck! And thanks for loving my books!
BC
I really really really want to write a book, but when ever I have an idea and write it down it comes out sounding like well.......WRONG. Do you have any books that might give me inspiration?(oh yah I forgot , I want to write a modern fantasy book
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Gabbie - Here are a couple of things that might help.
One (and this should be fun) if you want to write fantasy, you need to read a lot of it. And make sure you read the really good stuff - your librarian should be able to help you with that. But you shouldn't just read fantasy novels. You should read tons of myth, legend, folklore, and fairy tales. Most fantasy writers have soaked their minds in that stuff.
Second, I am going to recommend a very useful book. It is called SPILLING INK, and it is by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. They wrote it especially for kids who are trying to write, and I think it is the best book of its kind that I have seen. In fact I was very happy that they wrote it, because I have long thought about writing the same kind of book, and they did such a good job that now I don't have too! ;>
Good luck,
BC
One (and this should be fun) if you want to write fantasy, you need to read a lot of it. And make sure you read the really good stuff - your librarian should be able to help you with that. But you shouldn't just read fantasy novels. You should read tons of myth, legend, folklore, and fairy tales. Most fantasy writers have soaked their minds in that stuff.
Second, I am going to recommend a very useful book. It is called SPILLING INK, and it is by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. They wrote it especially for kids who are trying to write, and I think it is the best book of its kind that I have seen. In fact I was very happy that they wrote it, because I have long thought about writing the same kind of book, and they did such a good job that now I don't have too! ;>
Good luck,
BC
I am a reading group teacher who has just completed My Teacher is an Alien with my group. They LOVED the book, but they wonder if you are going to let us know in a future book whether Susan does invent a ship to take her to the stars and whether she will find Peter again.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Angelia -
I'm so glad to know that your students loved MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN! You know there are three more books in the series, right? All questions will be answered!
Cheers,
BC
I'm so glad to know that your students loved MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN! You know there are three more books in the series, right? All questions will be answered!
Cheers,
BC
Hi Bruce,
Let me say first off that I really like your books. I was just wondering what you thought about fanfiction of your books?
Let me say first off that I really like your books. I was just wondering what you thought about fanfiction of your books?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Wyatt -
Glad you love the books. And it's an interesting question. Basically, I am honored that anyone would be interested in writing fanfic based on the books, but it is also important, for legal reasons, that I not be reading it.
All best,
BC
Glad you love the books. And it's an interesting question. Basically, I am honored that anyone would be interested in writing fanfic based on the books, but it is also important, for legal reasons, that I not be reading it.
All best,
BC