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!
964 entries.
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
Hello,
I am writing on behalf of my five-year-old son, Satori. He has recently discovered the "Moongobble and Me" series, and "The Monster's Ring" on audiobook at the library. He loves them! For the past couple of years he's been making his own "books", and It's wonderful to see how much your work has inspired him lately. Here is his message:
"Thank you for writing Moongobble and Me. It's my favorite. The Monster's Ring is my second favorite one of your books. I love your books and can't wait to listen to more of them! I'm going to be writer about monsters, too."
I am writing on behalf of my five-year-old son, Satori. He has recently discovered the "Moongobble and Me" series, and "The Monster's Ring" on audiobook at the library. He loves them! For the past couple of years he's been making his own "books", and It's wonderful to see how much your work has inspired him lately. Here is his message:
"Thank you for writing Moongobble and Me. It's my favorite. The Monster's Ring is my second favorite one of your books. I love your books and can't wait to listen to more of them! I'm going to be writer about monsters, too."
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Anne -
Many thanks for this message - and my apologies for not responding sooner. I have just discovered, to my dismay, that many Guest Book messages were being flagged as SPAM by gmail. Gmail's SPAM filter is usually pretty reliable, but this was a huge error.
Anyway, I am totally delighted to know that Satori (great name!) has been enjoying the Moongobble books. I had such fun writing them - and then even more fun producing the audio versions!
Please give him my regards, and tell him I said "Keep writing!"
BC
Many thanks for this message - and my apologies for not responding sooner. I have just discovered, to my dismay, that many Guest Book messages were being flagged as SPAM by gmail. Gmail's SPAM filter is usually pretty reliable, but this was a huge error.
Anyway, I am totally delighted to know that Satori (great name!) has been enjoying the Moongobble books. I had such fun writing them - and then even more fun producing the audio versions!
Please give him my regards, and tell him I said "Keep writing!"
BC
Bruce, I really love reading 'My Teacher Is An Alien'. I am 11 years old. I like you so, so much!!!!!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Angela -
Thanks for this message. I'm totally delighted to know that you loved reading MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN. I love making young readers happy!
BC
Thanks for this message. I'm totally delighted to know that you loved reading MY TEACHER IS AN ALIEN. I love making young readers happy!
BC
Hi Mr. Coville,
I just finished reading "Into the Land of Unicorns" Bk. 1, which I really enjoyed! I noticed that you live in Syracuse, which is where I grew up, so of course that sparked my curiosity. I lived in N. Syracuse and went to Liverpool High, graduating in 1983. I have since moved around the country (military wife) and settled in Oregon. Now I'm proud to say I'm an elementary school librarian. Your book is being considered as a title on the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)list for 2015, so I've just started reading those titles (there will be 16 total) to prepare for leading our 3rd-5th graders in OBOB next school year. (OBOB 2014 has just wrapped up). Your story was well-crafted and I really enjoyed it...I know my students will enjoy it also! I plan to read the rest of the series hopefully this summer vacation (in between reading the confirmed OBOB titles while I wait for them to come in at the public library). I can't actually order titles for my library anymore this school year, and have to wait until the new school year (and budget allocation) begins. Anyway, thank you for a lovely story, and look forward to reading more of yours! Regards, Mrs. L.
I just finished reading "Into the Land of Unicorns" Bk. 1, which I really enjoyed! I noticed that you live in Syracuse, which is where I grew up, so of course that sparked my curiosity. I lived in N. Syracuse and went to Liverpool High, graduating in 1983. I have since moved around the country (military wife) and settled in Oregon. Now I'm proud to say I'm an elementary school librarian. Your book is being considered as a title on the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)list for 2015, so I've just started reading those titles (there will be 16 total) to prepare for leading our 3rd-5th graders in OBOB next school year. (OBOB 2014 has just wrapped up). Your story was well-crafted and I really enjoyed it...I know my students will enjoy it also! I plan to read the rest of the series hopefully this summer vacation (in between reading the confirmed OBOB titles while I wait for them to come in at the public library). I can't actually order titles for my library anymore this school year, and have to wait until the new school year (and budget allocation) begins. Anyway, thank you for a lovely story, and look forward to reading more of yours! Regards, Mrs. L.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Mrs. L!
First off, let me apologize for not answering this more promptly. I just discovered (to my horror) that gmail has been flagging some guestbook entries as SPAM. I didn't notice it before, because it was sporadic, and lots of guestbook entries were coming through. I have no idea what the source of the problem was.
Anyway, delighted to know that you enjoyed "Into the Land of the Unicorns." Not only do I live in Syracuse, I taught in the Liverpool School District! I was at Wetzel Road, right next to the high school, from 1974 to 1981. I loved it there.
It would delight me if LAND is made part of your OBOB next year. Those contests are really fun.
All best,
BC
First off, let me apologize for not answering this more promptly. I just discovered (to my horror) that gmail has been flagging some guestbook entries as SPAM. I didn't notice it before, because it was sporadic, and lots of guestbook entries were coming through. I have no idea what the source of the problem was.
Anyway, delighted to know that you enjoyed "Into the Land of the Unicorns." Not only do I live in Syracuse, I taught in the Liverpool School District! I was at Wetzel Road, right next to the high school, from 1974 to 1981. I loved it there.
It would delight me if LAND is made part of your OBOB next year. Those contests are really fun.
All best,
BC