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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.
Hello 🙂 I will keep this brief as I'm sure your busy. I just rediscovered the Nina Tanleven series in my parents house. Those are some of my favorite books from childhood. Spooky and mystery, laughter and sadness. I just wanted to thank you for making my childhood a better place. Sorry for spelling and grammar errors. I work nights and haven't slept yet. Once again thank you for your work.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Adam -
Many thanks for this message. I have a special fondness for the Nina Tanleven books, mostly because Nine and Chris are based on my own daughter and her best friend. (And Nine's dad is an improved version of me.) I loved writing those, but they were also tough because I had to have two plots - the one in the present and the one in the past - and bring them together at the end.
It's really nice to have them remembered this way. Glad you enjoyed them so much.
BC
Many thanks for this message. I have a special fondness for the Nina Tanleven books, mostly because Nine and Chris are based on my own daughter and her best friend. (And Nine's dad is an improved version of me.) I loved writing those, but they were also tough because I had to have two plots - the one in the present and the one in the past - and bring them together at the end.
It's really nice to have them remembered this way. Glad you enjoyed them so much.
BC
Dear Bruce,
When I was younger, I read "The Unicorn Chronicles" voraciously. I loved them. It was the first book series that I'd ever been obsessed with (I hadn't even read "Harry Potter" at the time), and because of this, I wrote you a letter. Never in a million years did I expect a reply back, (and never, EVER did I expect my fan art to show up on this very website!), and I still have it to this day.
Today, I am a freshman in high school. Writing is my passion, and I hope to pursue it professionally when I graduate. When I have free time, I shelf books at my local library, and during my weekly shelving, I came across "The Last Hunt".
It was then that I realized--I'd never finished the series I had been so obsessed with.
I came back to this website, to refresh my memory on the characters, and I remembered how much I loved the books and how much I looked up to you. It was a pleasant memory, and I became giddy with childhood nostalgia. Needless to say, I had to stop by the Guestbook.
Mr. Coville, thank you so much for instilling a love of fantasy books and a passion for writing that I've never let go since the fateful day I picked up "Into the Land of the Unicorns". You're still my favorite author, even after all this time!
Sincerely,
Mazie S.
PS: By the way, I'm applying for the Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers in Pittsburgh this summer. Hope to see you there!
When I was younger, I read "The Unicorn Chronicles" voraciously. I loved them. It was the first book series that I'd ever been obsessed with (I hadn't even read "Harry Potter" at the time), and because of this, I wrote you a letter. Never in a million years did I expect a reply back, (and never, EVER did I expect my fan art to show up on this very website!), and I still have it to this day.
Today, I am a freshman in high school. Writing is my passion, and I hope to pursue it professionally when I graduate. When I have free time, I shelf books at my local library, and during my weekly shelving, I came across "The Last Hunt".
It was then that I realized--I'd never finished the series I had been so obsessed with.
I came back to this website, to refresh my memory on the characters, and I remembered how much I loved the books and how much I looked up to you. It was a pleasant memory, and I became giddy with childhood nostalgia. Needless to say, I had to stop by the Guestbook.
Mr. Coville, thank you so much for instilling a love of fantasy books and a passion for writing that I've never let go since the fateful day I picked up "Into the Land of the Unicorns". You're still my favorite author, even after all this time!
Sincerely,
Mazie S.
PS: By the way, I'm applying for the Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers in Pittsburgh this summer. Hope to see you there!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Mazie -
How nice to have you return to the Guestbook!
The fact that you know, already, that writing is your passion is a good sign. I also knew early that I had to write. You are lucky in having this knowledge. I used to be upset with my oldest son, as he didn't have a dream, didn't have a passion for something he wanted to do. Later I came to realize that this was not his fault, that it was not a flaw but a tragedy. Not everyone has a passion, a dream. Those of us who do are lucky beyond measure.
How cool to know that you are applying for Alpha. I am not consulted on admissions, but I will certainly have my fingers crossed for you to be there!
All best,
BC
How nice to have you return to the Guestbook!
The fact that you know, already, that writing is your passion is a good sign. I also knew early that I had to write. You are lucky in having this knowledge. I used to be upset with my oldest son, as he didn't have a dream, didn't have a passion for something he wanted to do. Later I came to realize that this was not his fault, that it was not a flaw but a tragedy. Not everyone has a passion, a dream. Those of us who do are lucky beyond measure.
How cool to know that you are applying for Alpha. I am not consulted on admissions, but I will certainly have my fingers crossed for you to be there!
All best,
BC
Hey, Bruce--
I stumbled back on to your site by a random twist of chance, recalling that I used to spend a lot of time here. Looking back to my guestbook entries 3-4 years ago, I may have gotten a bit emotional thinking about how much you inspired and influenced me to write and read back then.
Now, I'm no longer the same silly little girl who took up your time years ago, but I am still a writer, and certainly still a reader. I believe that you were definitely a prime mover in me pursuing my literary hobbies.
Keep on keeping on. You're an inspiration.
Cheers!
I stumbled back on to your site by a random twist of chance, recalling that I used to spend a lot of time here. Looking back to my guestbook entries 3-4 years ago, I may have gotten a bit emotional thinking about how much you inspired and influenced me to write and read back then.
Now, I'm no longer the same silly little girl who took up your time years ago, but I am still a writer, and certainly still a reader. I believe that you were definitely a prime mover in me pursuing my literary hobbies.
Keep on keeping on. You're an inspiration.
Cheers!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Emma -
Nice to hear from you again. But I want to firmly correct you on one point: you were not a "silly" little girl back then. You were a girl. Period. Nothing silly about it. One of the joys and beauties of young girls is their excitement and emotional involvement in the things that speak to their hearts. Nothing silly about it.
I am very happy to know that you are still a writer, and a reader. And very grateful to know that I was a part of that.
I promise to keep on keeping on. . . if you will promise to keep growing and changing, but to never let go of that beautiful little girl inside!
All best,
BC
Nice to hear from you again. But I want to firmly correct you on one point: you were not a "silly" little girl back then. You were a girl. Period. Nothing silly about it. One of the joys and beauties of young girls is their excitement and emotional involvement in the things that speak to their hearts. Nothing silly about it.
I am very happy to know that you are still a writer, and a reader. And very grateful to know that I was a part of that.
I promise to keep on keeping on. . . if you will promise to keep growing and changing, but to never let go of that beautiful little girl inside!
All best,
BC
I just wanted to say that I really love your books. You're one of my favorite authors.
Reply by Bruce Coville
What more can a guy ask for! ;> Seriously, many thanks for this. And best wishes for a glorious holiday season!
BC
BC
What do you mean in jearmy thatcher dagon hatcher with S.H.Elives cause I was thinking S.H.E lives
Reply by Bruce Coville
You got it! Mr. Elives (say "Mystery Lives" and you'll get that, too) is doing moon magic, and in almost all mythologies the moon is a female. "She Lives!"
BC
BC
am andrew jauron and am from ms HOlland clas i like you book j m t h
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Andrew -
Glad you liked JT,DH. I wrote it 13 times to get it right!
BC
Glad you liked JT,DH. I wrote it 13 times to get it right!
BC
Hey Mr.Coville It's me again I just started my reading of jenifer murdleys toad. ive recently wrote books myself I made a series called the 3rd grade panda and 2 years ago I made a book called The Bowling Penguin and read it to my seceond grade class,as you proably remember im in Ms.Hollands 4th grade class and Lottie (you wrote to her and she is in my class,) was in my second grade class when I read it.Sincerly,Jr
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jr -
Glad to know you've started JMT. Hope it will make you laugh!
I like the title "The Bowling Penguin" - sounds like something you would have had fun writing.
BC
Glad to know you've started JMT. Hope it will make you laugh!
I like the title "The Bowling Penguin" - sounds like something you would have had fun writing.
BC
Hi Mr. coville! I loved J.T.D.H. It was the best book I have ever read. I am from ms. Holland's forth grade class. I love your Magic Shop series. I think you are the best author.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Drew -
Glad you loved JT,DH. Did you know that in the first draft Tiamat never got bigger than a dog . . . and Jeremy never got to fly with her? That's why authors do many drafts! The story wouldn't be the same without those scenes!
BC
Glad you loved JT,DH. Did you know that in the first draft Tiamat never got bigger than a dog . . . and Jeremy never got to fly with her? That's why authors do many drafts! The story wouldn't be the same without those scenes!
BC
Hi Mr.Coville You are a great writer you are my favorite author. I loved your book Jermey Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. I recently checked out your book from my school library Jennifer Murdley's Toad Thank you for writing this great book(: Sincerly,Jr
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jr -
Oh, I'm glad you're going to go on and read JENNIFER MURDLEY'S TOAD. I think it is one of the the three funniest books I ever wrote. I hope you'll enjoy it!
BC
Oh, I'm glad you're going to go on and read JENNIFER MURDLEY'S TOAD. I think it is one of the the three funniest books I ever wrote. I hope you'll enjoy it!
BC
Dear Bruce Coville
I loved your book J.T.D.H it was the most funniest book I have ever read well read to, my teacher read it to the whole class. I bet it is kind of hard to right a book . I have tried to wright a book it is hard .I am in Ms.Holland 4th grade class. With 32 stuffed dragons . I did have a question how did you get the name Timet . How long does it take you to wright a whole book. Are you going to right a new book You are the best. Talk to you later . One of you fans Lottie.
I loved your book J.T.D.H it was the most funniest book I have ever read well read to, my teacher read it to the whole class. I bet it is kind of hard to right a book . I have tried to wright a book it is hard .I am in Ms.Holland 4th grade class. With 32 stuffed dragons . I did have a question how did you get the name Timet . How long does it take you to wright a whole book. Are you going to right a new book You are the best. Talk to you later . One of you fans Lottie.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Lottie -
Glad you think that JEREMY was so funny. I love making kids laugh!
Yep, you are correct - writing a book is hard! The thing is, once you do it, you can feel very good about having done it!
The name Tiamat comes from mythology . . . in Babylonian mythology Tiamat was a very important dragon.
I am working on a new book now. It is called DIARY OF A MAD BROWNIE.
BC
Glad you think that JEREMY was so funny. I love making kids laugh!
Yep, you are correct - writing a book is hard! The thing is, once you do it, you can feel very good about having done it!
The name Tiamat comes from mythology . . . in Babylonian mythology Tiamat was a very important dragon.
I am working on a new book now. It is called DIARY OF A MAD BROWNIE.
BC