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!
941 entries.
You might be coming to my school!!!!!!
Reply by Bruce Coville
That would be awesome. I hope it happens!!
BC
BC
Hi Bruce!, I recently found my copy of my favorite book from when I was a kid in the early 90's, "The Monster's Ring". I even gave it another read-through just for old times sake. I've always loved the story and the message it contains (at least the message that I think it contains). Just want to say that the story has always been remembered fondly, and it's one of the few things I'd really love to be able to pass down to my kids one day, if I ever have them.
Really though, I just wanted to say Thank You for writing all of your wonderful books and inspiring the minds of those that have read your works.
Really though, I just wanted to say Thank You for writing all of your wonderful books and inspiring the minds of those that have read your works.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jeffrey -
Hey, thanks for this message. "The Monster's Ring" was my first published novel, so it has a special place in my heart. It's still the one I talk about in my school visits, and I always start by storytelling the first two chapters, which is a blast to do.
I've said before that when you start writing for kids you just hope to get published. Then you hope that kids will like (love!) the books. And then, the sweetest hope, is that kids will remember them and think of them fondly even after they've grown up. So a message like this really delights me. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. And apologies that it has taken me so long to answer - I can't always keep up with the Guestbook.
BC
Hey, thanks for this message. "The Monster's Ring" was my first published novel, so it has a special place in my heart. It's still the one I talk about in my school visits, and I always start by storytelling the first two chapters, which is a blast to do.
I've said before that when you start writing for kids you just hope to get published. Then you hope that kids will like (love!) the books. And then, the sweetest hope, is that kids will remember them and think of them fondly even after they've grown up. So a message like this really delights me. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. And apologies that it has taken me so long to answer - I can't always keep up with the Guestbook.
BC
Hi there Mr. Coville. I started reading Into the Land of the Unicorns and Song of the Wanderer when I was around 6 years old, and here I am 14 years later just finding out that you've written two more books since then! Life is too good. I absolutely loved the first two books growing up (chunks of pages were falling out of both of them just because I read them so many times) and I'm so excited to finally find out how Cara's story ends. In fact, I am about to order all four books and read them all back to back. The tale is beautifully written, and every time I read the first two books I feel myself being drawn into the world of Luster. (Really, I get so sucked in that people have to call my name a few times before I come back to the real world!) I also listened to the audio sample of Dark Whispers - I just love it. I was delighted to find out that you are the narrator! You do a perfect job of it, and every character's voice is spot on. I just wanted to let you know that The Unicorn Chronicles is still my favorite series, even at 20 years old, and even after reading those two books so many times, the story never gets old. I can't wait for all the books to come in the mail so I can continue the journey. Thank you so much for such a wonderful, wonderful read. - Demi
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Demi -
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to respond to this lovely message. But then, I guess you're used to me making you wait, given how long you had to wait to read the final book of the Chronicles. My deepest apologies for that.
It delights me that you enjoyed what you heard of our audio version of DARK WHISPERS. I have poured my heart and soul into Full Cast Audio, and though the company was not a financial success, I am so proud of the quality of the work we did.
Truly, it delights me to know that these stories still live in your heart!
BC
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to respond to this lovely message. But then, I guess you're used to me making you wait, given how long you had to wait to read the final book of the Chronicles. My deepest apologies for that.
It delights me that you enjoyed what you heard of our audio version of DARK WHISPERS. I have poured my heart and soul into Full Cast Audio, and though the company was not a financial success, I am so proud of the quality of the work we did.
Truly, it delights me to know that these stories still live in your heart!
BC
Dear mr. Coville,
Hello, my name is Chiara. I just absolutely love the Unicorn Cronicles. Can you please tell me if you are writing a new book? One day, I am going to make a movie of the Unicorn Chronicles, so I need to know if you are writing any new books.
Hello, my name is Chiara. I just absolutely love the Unicorn Cronicles. Can you please tell me if you are writing a new book? One day, I am going to make a movie of the Unicorn Chronicles, so I need to know if you are writing any new books.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Chiara -
Bet you didn't expect to get an answer after a two year lag! Sorry to take so long in getting back to you.
I am always writing a new book, but I have no plans to write another book in the Unicorn Chronicles right now. Actually, I would LOVE to do more books in the series, but Scholastic (the publisher) has shown absolutely no interest in having more, which kinda breaks my heart a little.
Hope this will reach you!
All best,
BC
Bet you didn't expect to get an answer after a two year lag! Sorry to take so long in getting back to you.
I am always writing a new book, but I have no plans to write another book in the Unicorn Chronicles right now. Actually, I would LOVE to do more books in the series, but Scholastic (the publisher) has shown absolutely no interest in having more, which kinda breaks my heart a little.
Hope this will reach you!
All best,
BC
Hi Mr Coville - today I decided to pop in my old audio cassettes of Song of the Wanderer (I was surprised that I managed to find my old cassette player). When I was younger I had the book pretty much memorized from reading and listening to it so much. When the tapes started playing, the nostalgia slapped me right smack across the nose. Every word, every breath, every pronunciation, and every intonation came back to me. And I nearly cried because these characters were so dear to me, and hearing them (and you!) speak this story again felt like I had gotten back some old friends. Thanks so much for that!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sapana -
What a lovely message! I have been frightfully long in answering, and I apologize. Also, I fear you will not see this, as you did not provide your email address.
A reminder to everyone: Your email address will NOT show up on the guestbook. But it will allow us to send you a notification of when I have posted an answer to your message.
All best,
BC
What a lovely message! I have been frightfully long in answering, and I apologize. Also, I fear you will not see this, as you did not provide your email address.
A reminder to everyone: Your email address will NOT show up on the guestbook. But it will allow us to send you a notification of when I have posted an answer to your message.
All best,
BC
Why isn't there a paperback of The Last Hunt? The book was released three years ago!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Chrissy -
A darn good question! I've been wondering the same thing myself. I think it's time to play "Bug My Editor" . . .
BC
A darn good question! I've been wondering the same thing myself. I think it's time to play "Bug My Editor" . . .
BC
I love your book into the land of the unicorns
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alyssa -
I am so pleased that you love that book! It's one of the ones that I am most proud of. Thank you for taking the time to tell me.
Bruce Coville
I am so pleased that you love that book! It's one of the ones that I am most proud of. Thank you for taking the time to tell me.
Bruce Coville
Hello Mr. Coville, I'm aware that this isn't the typical post to your lovely guestbook, but I am a lifelong fan of your work and I was wondering if you could help me out.
I'm 17 years old, about to be a senior in high school and living at home, and I've been struggling on the topic of my sexuality for almost as long as I can remember. Recently this has been called into more attention as I've developed feelings for a very good friend of mine (a girl). My parents, particularly my father, are not at all accepting of LGBT (we've argued over this in the past). Although my sexuality is still a bit of a grey area for me, I'm beginning to realize that I'm not heterosexual, and I'm terrified of my parents' reactions if they found out. I'm unsure if who I can talk to about this.
Thank you, Kira
I'm 17 years old, about to be a senior in high school and living at home, and I've been struggling on the topic of my sexuality for almost as long as I can remember. Recently this has been called into more attention as I've developed feelings for a very good friend of mine (a girl). My parents, particularly my father, are not at all accepting of LGBT (we've argued over this in the past). Although my sexuality is still a bit of a grey area for me, I'm beginning to realize that I'm not heterosexual, and I'm terrified of my parents' reactions if they found out. I'm unsure if who I can talk to about this.
Thank you, Kira
Reply by Bruce Coville
Kira -
I'm sorry not to have responded to this earlier. I'm also sorry you didn't provide your email, as I would have tried to provide you with a private message.
(Note to everyone: Leaving your email address means you'll be notified when I respond. Your address does NOT show up on the guestbook page.)
It's a really tough question that you've asked, and one for which there are no easy answers . . . especially as I don't know parents, or even the area in which you are living. In many urban areas there are support groups for gay, bi, and even "questioning" teens. If you are in a rural area that is less likely so.
I wish I could tell you that all parents will respond with love and understanding in a situation like this. Alas, that would be to paint a falsely rosy picture.
Here is the best thing I can tell you without knowing more: Do not let anyone shame you for what you are. Do not let anyone blame you. Be strong in the knowledge that whatever your gender orientation, you are still the person your parents have loved for all these years, and if they cannot understand it, the problem is with them and not with you.
My best wishes to you in this challenging situation.
BC
I'm sorry not to have responded to this earlier. I'm also sorry you didn't provide your email, as I would have tried to provide you with a private message.
(Note to everyone: Leaving your email address means you'll be notified when I respond. Your address does NOT show up on the guestbook page.)
It's a really tough question that you've asked, and one for which there are no easy answers . . . especially as I don't know parents, or even the area in which you are living. In many urban areas there are support groups for gay, bi, and even "questioning" teens. If you are in a rural area that is less likely so.
I wish I could tell you that all parents will respond with love and understanding in a situation like this. Alas, that would be to paint a falsely rosy picture.
Here is the best thing I can tell you without knowing more: Do not let anyone shame you for what you are. Do not let anyone blame you. Be strong in the knowledge that whatever your gender orientation, you are still the person your parents have loved for all these years, and if they cannot understand it, the problem is with them and not with you.
My best wishes to you in this challenging situation.
BC
I am in the middle of reading "Dark Whispers", and it has been really good so far. I loved the first two books also. I got freaked out a bit in a few places, but it's been good in the rest of the book.
I read "Always October" last July when I did the review for the SFBR's kid section...THAT was really scary. But I loved it!
I think the Unicorn Chronicles are better for me because I'm only 7yo and I love unicorns. I'm also liking the man's journey to free his wife. I can't wait to find out how it all ends!
By the way, you write some really weird books, but it's weird in a cool way. My dad's from Syracuse, too, and he says that lots of weirdness comes from Syracuse. 😛
I read "Always October" last July when I did the review for the SFBR's kid section...THAT was really scary. But I loved it!
I think the Unicorn Chronicles are better for me because I'm only 7yo and I love unicorns. I'm also liking the man's journey to free his wife. I can't wait to find out how it all ends!
By the way, you write some really weird books, but it's weird in a cool way. My dad's from Syracuse, too, and he says that lots of weirdness comes from Syracuse. 😛
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Murphy -
You're probably going to be surprised to get this message after all this time! (I hope it makes its way through to you.) The guestbook got out of control (more messages than I had time) and then it broke for a while.
I'm still trying to catch up.
You are clearly a sophisticated reader and writer, and I was delighted by your response to my stories. Glad to know you enjoyed ALWAYS OCTOBER. It was a tough one to write, but I think its one of my best. Alas, the publisher didn't promote it very well, so it hasn't found the audience I had hoped for.
I take pride in my weirdness. Maybe it's a Syracuse thing . . . (Please give your dad my regards.)
All best,
BC
You're probably going to be surprised to get this message after all this time! (I hope it makes its way through to you.) The guestbook got out of control (more messages than I had time) and then it broke for a while.
I'm still trying to catch up.
You are clearly a sophisticated reader and writer, and I was delighted by your response to my stories. Glad to know you enjoyed ALWAYS OCTOBER. It was a tough one to write, but I think its one of my best. Alas, the publisher didn't promote it very well, so it hasn't found the audience I had hoped for.
I take pride in my weirdness. Maybe it's a Syracuse thing . . . (Please give your dad my regards.)
All best,
BC
I have been reading the My Teacher is an Alien Series to my 4th grade classes for about 20 years and always find that the subject matter is relevant no matter what year it is. The students love reading and listening to these books and I enjoy their reaction. This year I've decided to forego the reading textbook and use these books to teach the reading skills, grammar, vocabulary and spelling necessary in my ILA curriculum. I can't wait to start. These books are a treasure and I'm so grateful to have found them all those years ago.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jeannine -
Thank you for this lovely message, which has more resonance for me that you could probably anticipate. As you may know, I was a fourth grade teacher. What you wouldn't be likely to know, though, is that one year - my best and most favorite year - I dropped the textbook and used the five volumes of Lloyd Alexander's "The Chronicles of Prydain" as the core of my reading program.
We had a wonderful time that year, and I hope you will as well. I'm truly honored that you will be using these books this way.
With all good wishes,
Bruce Coville
Thank you for this lovely message, which has more resonance for me that you could probably anticipate. As you may know, I was a fourth grade teacher. What you wouldn't be likely to know, though, is that one year - my best and most favorite year - I dropped the textbook and used the five volumes of Lloyd Alexander's "The Chronicles of Prydain" as the core of my reading program.
We had a wonderful time that year, and I hope you will as well. I'm truly honored that you will be using these books this way.
With all good wishes,
Bruce Coville