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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966 entries.
Hello! Just wanted to say, I love your books, I'm in college now and will still curl up with Song of the Unicorn or Monsters of Morley Manor when I need a good book to read.
I also had a question, do you have any suggestions for a writer trying to finish her first book? I'm trying to finish a fantasy novel and I'm kinda stuck at the moment. I'd love any advice you could give!
Thanks 🙂
I also had a question, do you have any suggestions for a writer trying to finish her first book? I'm trying to finish a fantasy novel and I'm kinda stuck at the moment. I'd love any advice you could give!
Thanks 🙂
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Dia -
Sorry to be so long in replying. The guestbook got away from me completely this spring, and I'm still trying to get caught up!
It delights me to know that you're still reading the books now that you're in college.
Two thoughts about finishing your novel: (1)I've found that having a big scene in mind for the ending, a scene I really want to write, sometimes helps me wade through some of the interim material (2) Don't worry about getting it right the first time, just worry about getting it on paper; you can't revise and craft and improve until you've got a full draft to work on. If you'll excuse the slight vulgarity, I sometimes tell my students to just "vomit on the paper" - just get something down. Then you can start the real work.
Good luck!
BC
Sorry to be so long in replying. The guestbook got away from me completely this spring, and I'm still trying to get caught up!
It delights me to know that you're still reading the books now that you're in college.
Two thoughts about finishing your novel: (1)I've found that having a big scene in mind for the ending, a scene I really want to write, sometimes helps me wade through some of the interim material (2) Don't worry about getting it right the first time, just worry about getting it on paper; you can't revise and craft and improve until you've got a full draft to work on. If you'll excuse the slight vulgarity, I sometimes tell my students to just "vomit on the paper" - just get something down. Then you can start the real work.
Good luck!
BC
Hi Mr. Coville,
I am a fellow Phoenix Firebird living in Washington DC. I just read The Foolish Giant to my 2 year old son for the first time. Your name sounded so familiar to me that I looked up you bio and then remembered that you visited my class at Elm St. Elementary. How wonderful that your books live on through the next generation of readers. They are such delightful stories. I cannot wait to read him more. Must say my favorite part of your bio is when you wrote that your only regret was the time you spent watching TV. My kids (1 and 2 years) don't watch TV and it is starting to feel socially unacceptable. Love that line... Best wishes and thanks for the stories.
I am a fellow Phoenix Firebird living in Washington DC. I just read The Foolish Giant to my 2 year old son for the first time. Your name sounded so familiar to me that I looked up you bio and then remembered that you visited my class at Elm St. Elementary. How wonderful that your books live on through the next generation of readers. They are such delightful stories. I cannot wait to read him more. Must say my favorite part of your bio is when you wrote that your only regret was the time you spent watching TV. My kids (1 and 2 years) don't watch TV and it is starting to feel socially unacceptable. Love that line... Best wishes and thanks for the stories.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jamie and Fellow Firebird! -
Sorry to take so long to respond. My email queue/the guestbook spun totally out of control this year.
I am so delighted to know that you shared The Foolish Giant (which was my very first book) with your son this year.
Yay for you for sparing your kids from TV! And I totally understand the "feel socially unacceptable" thing. Feh!
Keep on keeping on!
BC
Sorry to take so long to respond. My email queue/the guestbook spun totally out of control this year.
I am so delighted to know that you shared The Foolish Giant (which was my very first book) with your son this year.
Yay for you for sparing your kids from TV! And I totally understand the "feel socially unacceptable" thing. Feh!
Keep on keeping on!
BC
Mr. Coville,
I apologize for the previously cut off message. My browser does not like me today. I came across your books when I was a small child, as most have, and was captivated by the Unicorn Chronicles. Like others, I have shared them with friends. I do not come here to speak for myself, but I speak for another who cannot. My friend Rosie Lee, whose obituary I have linked to, was murdered 2 1/2 years ago. She was an avid fan of your books, which I had introduced her to, and often wore unicorns on her person. To others, she will be remembered as many things. To me, she will always be the girl who loved unicorns and sat around arguing with me over Luster.
I apologize for the previously cut off message. My browser does not like me today. I came across your books when I was a small child, as most have, and was captivated by the Unicorn Chronicles. Like others, I have shared them with friends. I do not come here to speak for myself, but I speak for another who cannot. My friend Rosie Lee, whose obituary I have linked to, was murdered 2 1/2 years ago. She was an avid fan of your books, which I had introduced her to, and often wore unicorns on her person. To others, she will be remembered as many things. To me, she will always be the girl who loved unicorns and sat around arguing with me over Luster.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Amber -
Totally understand about the cut off message. I have that kind of problem all the time!
It delights me so much that you still remember my books from your childhood.
Your words, "I speak for another who cannot" are very powerful. My heart catches in my throat even now as I re-read your message. I wish I could reach out and give you a hug in remembrance for your dear friend lost, the girl who loved unicorns.
With love and sorrow for your loss
Bruce
Totally understand about the cut off message. I have that kind of problem all the time!
It delights me so much that you still remember my books from your childhood.
Your words, "I speak for another who cannot" are very powerful. My heart catches in my throat even now as I re-read your message. I wish I could reach out and give you a hug in remembrance for your dear friend lost, the girl who loved unicorns.
With love and sorrow for your loss
Bruce
Just to start this off, I am SURE that I am much older than anyone else who has asked you questions on here. I remember your books when growing up and I must say that I read and reread your My Teacher is an Alien series and also Goblins in the Castle and Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher. These were among the few books that were on my favorite reread shelf! Anyway I am curious as to what color poot is? I can't find it mentioned on your site or the internet and can not locate my books either! Ack the boringness of being an adult - time to put up the childrens books. I also want you to know that I have a 3 year old son and you can be certain he will definitely have copies of these books when he is old enough to read them. I might read them to him - just to enjoy the awesomeness of these books one more time! Thanks for your time Mr Coville! Thank you for bringing joy and fun to the reading experience.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Lover of all things Poot!
Actually, I suspect you are not that much older than many other respondents here. The height of my success was in the late 80's and early 90's, and I get a lot of email from people who read me back then.
(I'm still publishing, and doing well, but I am no longer the "It Boy" of the current generation...)
What color is the poot? WOW! I didn't realize I had never specified that. Probably a kind of greeny-blue, though I haven't thought about it in a long time. The poot was a happy accident. I needed something alien early on in FRIED MY BRAINS, and the poot was it. I had no idea, when I inserted it in the story, how important it would become to the resolution.
Hope your son will enjoy the books as much as you did!
all best,
BC
Actually, I suspect you are not that much older than many other respondents here. The height of my success was in the late 80's and early 90's, and I get a lot of email from people who read me back then.
(I'm still publishing, and doing well, but I am no longer the "It Boy" of the current generation...)
What color is the poot? WOW! I didn't realize I had never specified that. Probably a kind of greeny-blue, though I haven't thought about it in a long time. The poot was a happy accident. I needed something alien early on in FRIED MY BRAINS, and the poot was it. I had no idea, when I inserted it in the story, how important it would become to the resolution.
Hope your son will enjoy the books as much as you did!
all best,
BC
I just heard you will be at SUNY Oswego on April 9 th to be the keynote speaker for Quest Day. Will there be time for a book signing at all? My son is dying to come see you!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sarah -
Sorry to be so long in answering. I did do some signing, but I don't think you made it over. You might try convincing the lovely River's End bookstore to bring me in for a signing.
BC
Sorry to be so long in answering. I did do some signing, but I don't think you made it over. You might try convincing the lovely River's End bookstore to bring me in for a signing.
BC
Dear Mr. Bruce Coville,
I hope you are well, and thank you for taking the time in reading my comment.
I am a fan of a couple of your books ( Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, and Aliens ate my homework)and I am starting the Unicorn Chronicles.
I had grown 15 years older since I first read your books, but as my oldest daughter likes when we read together, though she is only 5 years old, I figured I might as well read her something I enjoy, so I just recently bought my first book of yours... Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, (my favorite book because it was the first book to make me cry.
Thank you for such good books.
I was wondering , (I hope you won't be offended, Jeez i hope i am not too bold), but could I re-write Jeremy Thatcher as a girl? I would keep most everything else I think. I haven't tried to "put it to paper" yet, because I wanted to know what you think first.
Thank you again for your time,
I sincerely and eagerly await your response,
R. Spencer
Salt Lake City, Utah
I hope you are well, and thank you for taking the time in reading my comment.
I am a fan of a couple of your books ( Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, and Aliens ate my homework)and I am starting the Unicorn Chronicles.
I had grown 15 years older since I first read your books, but as my oldest daughter likes when we read together, though she is only 5 years old, I figured I might as well read her something I enjoy, so I just recently bought my first book of yours... Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, (my favorite book because it was the first book to make me cry.
Thank you for such good books.
I was wondering , (I hope you won't be offended, Jeez i hope i am not too bold), but could I re-write Jeremy Thatcher as a girl? I would keep most everything else I think. I haven't tried to "put it to paper" yet, because I wanted to know what you think first.
Thank you again for your time,
I sincerely and eagerly await your response,
R. Spencer
Salt Lake City, Utah
Reply by Bruce Coville
This is a test response.
Dear Mr. Coville,
my name is Crystal and i am writing to tell you thank you for your books "The Unicorn Chronicles". they helped me more than you would ever know as a child. i have not been able to stop thinking about the book series since i read the fourth book. please please somehow make it a movie... i don't know how but i really want to see the story come to life. this story could reach many others who could really enjoy it if you made it into one. this series was one of two book series i read as a child because i hated to read and was in foster care feeling as thought my situation in life was so unique that no one; not even the most creative author could relate. When i read the books i felt like Cara could relate to me in a lot of ways and some times even pretended to be her in Luster. it would mean the world to me to see this become a movie. please think about it. Also have you thought about donating your books to some foster care agencies? that would be super cool. i know the kids in those situations may want some reading materiel that is interesting unique and has hope in the unique way you display it in your books... thank you for sharing your imagination, heart, and passion with every one. you are changing lives with your actions sir and want to say thank you.
Blessings,
Crystal
my name is Crystal and i am writing to tell you thank you for your books "The Unicorn Chronicles". they helped me more than you would ever know as a child. i have not been able to stop thinking about the book series since i read the fourth book. please please somehow make it a movie... i don't know how but i really want to see the story come to life. this story could reach many others who could really enjoy it if you made it into one. this series was one of two book series i read as a child because i hated to read and was in foster care feeling as thought my situation in life was so unique that no one; not even the most creative author could relate. When i read the books i felt like Cara could relate to me in a lot of ways and some times even pretended to be her in Luster. it would mean the world to me to see this become a movie. please think about it. Also have you thought about donating your books to some foster care agencies? that would be super cool. i know the kids in those situations may want some reading materiel that is interesting unique and has hope in the unique way you display it in your books... thank you for sharing your imagination, heart, and passion with every one. you are changing lives with your actions sir and want to say thank you.
Blessings,
Crystal
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Crystal -
Thanks for this lovely message, and my apologies for not replying sooner. My email and the guestbook really got out of control this spring!
As to a movie - well, for the most part writers don't make movies, Hollywood makes movies. The budget for a decent film version of the Unicorn Chronicles would be more than a hundred times all the money that I have made from writing the books! This is something that requires a big Hollywood studio. If a studio came knocking I would love to see a film made from the books -- though even if you get a film made, there is no guarantee it will be good. Many good books are turned into quite awful movies. So for now you'll have to be content to let the books live on in your imagination.
With all good wishes,
Bruce Coville
Thanks for this lovely message, and my apologies for not replying sooner. My email and the guestbook really got out of control this spring!
As to a movie - well, for the most part writers don't make movies, Hollywood makes movies. The budget for a decent film version of the Unicorn Chronicles would be more than a hundred times all the money that I have made from writing the books! This is something that requires a big Hollywood studio. If a studio came knocking I would love to see a film made from the books -- though even if you get a film made, there is no guarantee it will be good. Many good books are turned into quite awful movies. So for now you'll have to be content to let the books live on in your imagination.
With all good wishes,
Bruce Coville
Greetings Mr. Coville! I am a 14-year old girl who wholly enjoys your Unicorn Chronicles series. It has been a delight reading them. So refreshing! A take on the legends of unicorns and dragons, elegantly portrayed in a single world. Just a inquiry Mr. Coville, do you have a F&Q section on your website? Is there ever going to be a movie? It would make a wonderful one. Also, do you have any place with advice for aspiring writers? Thank you so much, it has been a honour talking with you. Thank you again!
~Cara-Ziana Anidori-Kilandra Hollyenna Isilee Liu
Age 14
~Cara-Ziana Anidori-Kilandra Hollyenna Isilee Liu
Age 14
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Cara-Ziana -
Thanks for this message, and my apologies for not replying sooner. The guestbook got totally out of control on me this spring.
I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed the Unicorn Chronicles so much. As to a movie - I get this question all the time. I would certainly be delighted to have a film made from the Chronicles (assuming the filmmakers do a good job) but that is not something I have much control over. Basically, someone in Hollywood has to want to make a film, and be able to come up with enough money to do it.
From your name I am pretty confident that you are a Shannon Hale fan, too, especially of THE GOOSE GIRL. Did you know that I produced and directed the audiobook version?
If you look at the header of my website, you'll find a link for a page with my writing tips. Also, check out the wonderful book SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It's the best guidebook for young writers that I know of.
All best,
BC
Thanks for this message, and my apologies for not replying sooner. The guestbook got totally out of control on me this spring.
I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed the Unicorn Chronicles so much. As to a movie - I get this question all the time. I would certainly be delighted to have a film made from the Chronicles (assuming the filmmakers do a good job) but that is not something I have much control over. Basically, someone in Hollywood has to want to make a film, and be able to come up with enough money to do it.
From your name I am pretty confident that you are a Shannon Hale fan, too, especially of THE GOOSE GIRL. Did you know that I produced and directed the audiobook version?
If you look at the header of my website, you'll find a link for a page with my writing tips. Also, check out the wonderful book SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter. It's the best guidebook for young writers that I know of.
All best,
BC
Hello again my friend. I hope all is well with you. Riley and I are still doing well. We just finished our move into the new place and although I am still unpacking boxes at this time I am really happy in our new home. He got a new bed and some new toys so he's really happy too. I stopped by the website today looking to purchase Amber Brown is on the Move. It's the only book from The Bruce Coville Collection that I do not own yet but alas there are no links for me to follow to purchase from you. Do you have an idea of when it might be available on this site, Riley and I are looking forward to reading it. I hope the writing is going well and that you are able to meet your deadlines like you wished to without Facebook drawing you in. Hope to hear from you soon your friends Nikki and Riley.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Nicole -
Yike! So sorry to be so late in answering this. I let the guestbook slide while I was trying to hit the deadline on the MAD BROWNIE book. The good news is, I finally finished it! (And I actually think it's pretty good. Hope the editor does, too!)
I hadn't realized that ON THE MOVE wasn't up on the website. I'll nudge my webmaster about it.
All best,
BC
Glad to know that you and Riley are happy in a new home.
Yike! So sorry to be so late in answering this. I let the guestbook slide while I was trying to hit the deadline on the MAD BROWNIE book. The good news is, I finally finished it! (And I actually think it's pretty good. Hope the editor does, too!)
I hadn't realized that ON THE MOVE wasn't up on the website. I'll nudge my webmaster about it.
All best,
BC
Glad to know that you and Riley are happy in a new home.
Mr. Coville,
I have been researching your life and work for a school project and I wanted to let you know I've enjoyed learning about your writing style. However, there is one piece of information I haven't been able to find: Where did you attend high school?
Thanks,
Emily T
I have been researching your life and work for a school project and I wanted to let you know I've enjoyed learning about your writing style. However, there is one piece of information I haven't been able to find: Where did you attend high school?
Thanks,
Emily T
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Emily -
Glad you are enjoying the project.
I went to high school at the John C. Birdlebaugh HS in Phoenix, NY (NOT Arizona; NY state.)
Hope that helps.
BC
Glad you are enjoying the project.
I went to high school at the John C. Birdlebaugh HS in Phoenix, NY (NOT Arizona; NY state.)
Hope that helps.
BC