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.
Goblins in the Castle was AWESOME! We read it together as a class. We are starting our own writers workshop and have a few questions for you. What inspired you to become a writer? How many times did you have to rewrite Goblins in the Castle before you created your final copy? What are your number one tips for young writer? Thanks for creating so much enjoyment in our classroom! Hope to hear from you soon.
Reply by Bruce Coville
To my Pals in B10 -
Oh, man, I'm delighted to know that you thought Goblins in the Castle was AWESOME! (That's one of my favorite words when it is applied to my books!) I'm especially pleased, because just a few weeks ago I submitted the manuscript for a sequel! This time Fauna tells the story, but all of our old friends - William, Igor, and Herky (of course) - are along for the adventure, as well as some new characters that I hope you will like. It's called, for now at least, Goblins on the Prowl. Alas, it will be at least a year, maybe more, before it is published.
It was books that made me want to become a writer. I loved them so much I wanted to make my own!
I can't remember how many drafts I did of Goblins in the Castle but I can tell you that I'm on Draft 11 of the sequel, and probably have at least two more to go!
You can find my tips for young writers on the same website as this guestbook. There's a whole page of them.
Thanks for reading my book . . . and for sending this message!
All best,
BC
Yike! That message had too many exclamation points! (So does this one!) ;>
Oh, man, I'm delighted to know that you thought Goblins in the Castle was AWESOME! (That's one of my favorite words when it is applied to my books!) I'm especially pleased, because just a few weeks ago I submitted the manuscript for a sequel! This time Fauna tells the story, but all of our old friends - William, Igor, and Herky (of course) - are along for the adventure, as well as some new characters that I hope you will like. It's called, for now at least, Goblins on the Prowl. Alas, it will be at least a year, maybe more, before it is published.
It was books that made me want to become a writer. I loved them so much I wanted to make my own!
I can't remember how many drafts I did of Goblins in the Castle but I can tell you that I'm on Draft 11 of the sequel, and probably have at least two more to go!
You can find my tips for young writers on the same website as this guestbook. There's a whole page of them.
Thanks for reading my book . . . and for sending this message!
All best,
BC
Yike! That message had too many exclamation points! (So does this one!) ;>
When I was seven years old (31) years ago I won a reading competition in my school. My prize was a signed copy of 'The Monster's Ring'. I am now a mother (as well as teacher) with a seven year old daughter. My Mom just gave me back my copy and it is the next book I will be reading to her. We will also be checking out some more of your series. Thanks for the signed book.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Mandy -
Wow! I just did the math, and your copy must have come from the very first printing. I'm delighted to know that you're going to share the book with your daughter. As time has gone on (and I have grown older...) one of the things I have come to love is being a "Second Generation Author" -- that is one whose books are being shared by their original readers with their own children. It's about as satisfying thing as an author could ever hope for.
Also, reading aloud to my own kids was one of my greatest joys as a parent. I'm honored to be part of someone else's parent/child reading experience.
Thanks for stopping by to say hello!
All best,
BC
Wow! I just did the math, and your copy must have come from the very first printing. I'm delighted to know that you're going to share the book with your daughter. As time has gone on (and I have grown older...) one of the things I have come to love is being a "Second Generation Author" -- that is one whose books are being shared by their original readers with their own children. It's about as satisfying thing as an author could ever hope for.
Also, reading aloud to my own kids was one of my greatest joys as a parent. I'm honored to be part of someone else's parent/child reading experience.
Thanks for stopping by to say hello!
All best,
BC
Hi my name is Antonia and I am reading the monsters ring it is the best book I ever read in my life also are you thinking about writing a new magic shop book bye
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Antonia -
Glad you're loving The Monster's Ring. I have a special fondness for this book because it was the first chapter book that I published. Also, Russell and Eddie are based on kids who were in my class when I was a teacher!
There are four more Magic Shop books for you to read. Sadly, I am not planning on writing any new ones at the moment. I am working on other projects right now.
Thanks for stopping by to say hello. Happy Reading!
BC
Glad you're loving The Monster's Ring. I have a special fondness for this book because it was the first chapter book that I published. Also, Russell and Eddie are based on kids who were in my class when I was a teacher!
There are four more Magic Shop books for you to read. Sadly, I am not planning on writing any new ones at the moment. I am working on other projects right now.
Thanks for stopping by to say hello. Happy Reading!
BC
Mr.Coville,
I ordered Spilling Ink in my Scholastic Book order (it wasn't IN there, my lit. teacher ordered it for me)and got it in a few days later! I'm glad you prescribed it to me.
Thxs a 1,000,000,
Duke Jenkins (;
I ordered Spilling Ink in my Scholastic Book order (it wasn't IN there, my lit. teacher ordered it for me)and got it in a few days later! I'm glad you prescribed it to me.
Thxs a 1,000,000,
Duke Jenkins (;
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Duke -
Glad to know you got that book. Hope you'll find it really useful!
All best,
BC
Glad to know you got that book. Hope you'll find it really useful!
All best,
BC
Dear Mr.Coville,
We just finished reading your magic shop book, The Monster's Ring with our librarian and really enjoyed it. Do you plan to write any other books in this series? How many books have you written so far? What do you do in your free time, when you are not writing books? Thank you for entertaining us!
Room 1, Harrington Elementary School
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
We just finished reading your magic shop book, The Monster's Ring with our librarian and really enjoyed it. Do you plan to write any other books in this series? How many books have you written so far? What do you do in your free time, when you are not writing books? Thank you for entertaining us!
Room 1, Harrington Elementary School
Chelmsford, Massachusetts
Reply by Bruce Coville
Ahoy to my pals in Room 1! I'm so glad to know you enjoyed The Monster's Ring. It makes me happy to know that your librarian shared it with you.
Though I am not planning on writing any new Magic Shop books right now, there are already four more in the series.
I have published 102 books, and just finished number 103 and 104.
When I am not writing books I like to travel and spend time with my family.
Thanks for writing to me. Keep readin'!
your friend,
Bruce Coville
Though I am not planning on writing any new Magic Shop books right now, there are already four more in the series.
I have published 102 books, and just finished number 103 and 104.
When I am not writing books I like to travel and spend time with my family.
Thanks for writing to me. Keep readin'!
your friend,
Bruce Coville
I am a 4th grade teacher and every year I start the year reading my all time favorite book to my class. That book is "Goblins in the Castle". I love it. It never gets old. I continue by reading ALL the magic shop books. The students love them. I see you have some other amazing books that I need to purchase and add to my library. The crazy thing is I love them too.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Susie -
Oh, thank you! It would be hard to tell you how much this delights me - partly because after 20 years I have finally just finished a sequel to GOBLINS!
This time Fauna tells the story. The book was a challenge to write - I've been working on the revision for almost a year now. I finally turned it in and the editor loved it, so I am feeling very excited about it right now. The old gang is back, of course, but there are a couple of fun new characters, including a warrior woman named Bwoonhiwda who Igor has a crush on!
I wrote the first version of GOBLINS when I was a teacher myself, and had so much fun reading it to my kids, even in it's raw stage. It's a book that is very dear to my heart.
I'm also delighted to know that you go on to read ALL the Magic Shop books.
It's great that, in these days of the Common Core, you can still find time to read to your kids. Read on!
BC
Oh, thank you! It would be hard to tell you how much this delights me - partly because after 20 years I have finally just finished a sequel to GOBLINS!
This time Fauna tells the story. The book was a challenge to write - I've been working on the revision for almost a year now. I finally turned it in and the editor loved it, so I am feeling very excited about it right now. The old gang is back, of course, but there are a couple of fun new characters, including a warrior woman named Bwoonhiwda who Igor has a crush on!
I wrote the first version of GOBLINS when I was a teacher myself, and had so much fun reading it to my kids, even in it's raw stage. It's a book that is very dear to my heart.
I'm also delighted to know that you go on to read ALL the Magic Shop books.
It's great that, in these days of the Common Core, you can still find time to read to your kids. Read on!
BC
Hi Mr Bruce Coville! I really enjoyed The Unicorn Chronicles. I was wondering if there was going to be a 5th book. There seems to be some thing that are unfinished to me, but they met just be me not wanting the story to end!-- Jaime
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jaime -
Glad you enjoyed the CHRONICLES so much! I have plenty of ideas for more stories set in Luster. Alas, the publisher has expressed not much interest in actually publishing any of them. Too bad . . . I love writing in that world!
I did try to pretty much tie up the current story line . . . certainly not a cliffhanger at the end of Book 4, though there are definitely ideas that could be explored in new stories.
Thanks for reading!
all best,
BC
Glad you enjoyed the CHRONICLES so much! I have plenty of ideas for more stories set in Luster. Alas, the publisher has expressed not much interest in actually publishing any of them. Too bad . . . I love writing in that world!
I did try to pretty much tie up the current story line . . . certainly not a cliffhanger at the end of Book 4, though there are definitely ideas that could be explored in new stories.
Thanks for reading!
all best,
BC
Hi Bruce!
Just wanted to say that I grew up reading A LOT of fanatsy and Sci/Fi books and your Unicorn Chronicles series has always been an all time favorite of mine!
I was recently looking for it in the B&N ebook store and was very disappointed to see that the series was unavailable in an ebook format 🙁
Either way, I really appreciate you sticking to it and writing/finishing the series for all us fantasy lovers out there! 😉
Just wanted to say that I grew up reading A LOT of fanatsy and Sci/Fi books and your Unicorn Chronicles series has always been an all time favorite of mine!
I was recently looking for it in the B&N ebook store and was very disappointed to see that the series was unavailable in an ebook format 🙁
Either way, I really appreciate you sticking to it and writing/finishing the series for all us fantasy lovers out there! 😉
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Kristie -
Lovely to hear from you. I'm delighted to know that the CHRONICLES continue to stand out in your mind as one of your all time favorites. That's the kind of response I dreamed of when I was writing them, but you never know until you hear from your readers!
Scholastic is supposed to be making them available in ebook format. Scholastic is supposed to be doing a lot of things. Sometimes they actually get around to it.
(Not that I'm cranky about Scholastic right now . . . )
Glad you appreciate the fact that I stuck with the series. Writing those last two books nearly broke my brain!
All best,
Bruce
Lovely to hear from you. I'm delighted to know that the CHRONICLES continue to stand out in your mind as one of your all time favorites. That's the kind of response I dreamed of when I was writing them, but you never know until you hear from your readers!
Scholastic is supposed to be making them available in ebook format. Scholastic is supposed to be doing a lot of things. Sometimes they actually get around to it.
(Not that I'm cranky about Scholastic right now . . . )
Glad you appreciate the fact that I stuck with the series. Writing those last two books nearly broke my brain!
All best,
Bruce
Mr. Coville,
Thank you for the time and work that you put in to the Liverpool School District. You may not hear it enough, but I know that I read 2-3 books per month because of the education I received from teachers like you. I have 3 children of my own now, 21,18,16 and have tried to pass on the importance of reading to all of them. (Unfortunately, the 21 yr old would rather watch the movie- for some reason Gettysburg on the big screen just doesn't get it all through like "Killer Angels"). I have been away from Syracuse for many years, have seen education systems in multiple states and know that the teachers I had through the late '70's and mid '80's in L'Pool really made a difference in my life. Thank you.
Thank you for the time and work that you put in to the Liverpool School District. You may not hear it enough, but I know that I read 2-3 books per month because of the education I received from teachers like you. I have 3 children of my own now, 21,18,16 and have tried to pass on the importance of reading to all of them. (Unfortunately, the 21 yr old would rather watch the movie- for some reason Gettysburg on the big screen just doesn't get it all through like "Killer Angels"). I have been away from Syracuse for many years, have seen education systems in multiple states and know that the teachers I had through the late '70's and mid '80's in L'Pool really made a difference in my life. Thank you.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Michael -
Many thanks for this. My years at Wetzel Road are filled with happy memories. We were both lucky to be in Liverpool at that time. The school was extraordinary and I knew it was a gift to be able to work there.
I really appreciate you taking the time to send this.
All best,
BC
Many thanks for this. My years at Wetzel Road are filled with happy memories. We were both lucky to be in Liverpool at that time. The school was extraordinary and I knew it was a gift to be able to work there.
I really appreciate you taking the time to send this.
All best,
BC
Dear Mr. Coville,
I know that you are very busy with your writing and all, but if I sent in a short part of my story (about a page long) could you respond in a short letter saying what you liked or disliked about my story and if you would want to keep reading. Thanks!
I know that you are very busy with your writing and all, but if I sent in a short part of my story (about a page long) could you respond in a short letter saying what you liked or disliked about my story and if you would want to keep reading. Thanks!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Olivia -
Oh, dear. I'm sorry, but I just can't offer to do this. I know (from painful and bitter experience) that I probably wouldn't manage to do so in any time frame that would be useful for you. It's not that reading the piece would take that long. The time comes in framing a useful response. I haven't even been able to do this for my own daughter-in-law in a reasonable amount of time!
My apologies. But, trust me, I would end up apologizing even more if I offered to do this, as the odds are very good that it would be months before you heard from me!
All best,
BC
Oh, dear. I'm sorry, but I just can't offer to do this. I know (from painful and bitter experience) that I probably wouldn't manage to do so in any time frame that would be useful for you. It's not that reading the piece would take that long. The time comes in framing a useful response. I haven't even been able to do this for my own daughter-in-law in a reasonable amount of time!
My apologies. But, trust me, I would end up apologizing even more if I offered to do this, as the odds are very good that it would be months before you heard from me!
All best,
BC