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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964 entries.
Dear Mr. Coville,
I'm working hard on being a young author. I'm only ten, but I want to be a good author. Any pointers, helpful hints, or WWW sites?
P.S. Sorry for not doing the guest book for SOOO long. I also have some Ideas for a new Magic Shop book.
Sincerely,
Duke Jenkins
I'm working hard on being a young author. I'm only ten, but I want to be a good author. Any pointers, helpful hints, or WWW sites?
P.S. Sorry for not doing the guest book for SOOO long. I also have some Ideas for a new Magic Shop book.
Sincerely,
Duke Jenkins
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Duke -
Good to hear from you!
The most important thing for you to do right now is read as much as you can. Fill your brain with words! And write, of course, write a lot, but just do it for fun right now.
There is a very good book called SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter that offers a huge amount of advice for young writers. I thanked them for writing it, because it was something that I had been thinking about doing for a long time, but they did such a good job that now I don't have to! ;> I do highly recommend it.
BC
Good to hear from you!
The most important thing for you to do right now is read as much as you can. Fill your brain with words! And write, of course, write a lot, but just do it for fun right now.
There is a very good book called SPILLING INK by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter that offers a huge amount of advice for young writers. I thanked them for writing it, because it was something that I had been thinking about doing for a long time, but they did such a good job that now I don't have to! ;> I do highly recommend it.
BC
It's been 20 years since I've read most of your books, but I still remember them fondly. The first book I ever learned to read was Sarah's Unicorn, and my sister now reads it to her daughter.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contributions to children's literature, and for helping to instill in me a love of science fiction and fantasy that has lasted my entire life.
You, sir, are a great writer.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contributions to children's literature, and for helping to instill in me a love of science fiction and fantasy that has lasted my entire life.
You, sir, are a great writer.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Anita
Thank you for this message. It put a huge smile on my face. SARAH'S UNICORN was my second book - I've written a hundred since then, but somehow that one pretty much remains my favorite.
I'm thrilled to know that my stories have meant so much to you.
BC
Thank you for this message. It put a huge smile on my face. SARAH'S UNICORN was my second book - I've written a hundred since then, but somehow that one pretty much remains my favorite.
I'm thrilled to know that my stories have meant so much to you.
BC
I spent half a day trying to remember your name. After reading an article about how Pandora's Box was originally Pandora's Jar (news to me), I started to remember a story I had read in my childhood about a boy with a box. Googled "Colville" to no avail. "Colville author" brought up some great people! ...none of whom were you. One of whom wrote the well-reviewed Seduction Series. Me-ow.
When I remembered your first name and realized my typo, I hit paydirt. Then when I read the blurb on your page for Oddly Enough- an excerpt from that story that stuck in my mind- I got choked up. Now I'm combing through the titles of your novels and they're rushing back in bits and pieces, forcing me to remember when I had my nose in books all day and I was WEIRD because of it. Back when I was 9 or 12 or 15 and weird was a dirty word. Well, I'm 24 now. Not world-weary by any means, but I feel like I owe you a thank you for one thing I actually have perspective on.
Thank you for making me weird. I mean, I can't give you all the credit. There are other authors that I obsessed over back in the day, but few to the extent I did over you and your work.
I'm actor, writer, and comedian by trade. I'm poor but my life is too damn wacky for me to ever get sad about it. If I do get a paycheck I probably owe you a cut of it. Every book I read that took me out of the ego and reality of life helped shape me into the odd person I am starting to enjoy being. Normal is an occupational hazard for a person like me, and thanks to you I'll never need worker's comp.
So, yeah. Thanks for listening. I'm ordering Oddly Enough right now. I don't remember the end of any of the stories, and that's fantastic. I get to open the box again!
When I remembered your first name and realized my typo, I hit paydirt. Then when I read the blurb on your page for Oddly Enough- an excerpt from that story that stuck in my mind- I got choked up. Now I'm combing through the titles of your novels and they're rushing back in bits and pieces, forcing me to remember when I had my nose in books all day and I was WEIRD because of it. Back when I was 9 or 12 or 15 and weird was a dirty word. Well, I'm 24 now. Not world-weary by any means, but I feel like I owe you a thank you for one thing I actually have perspective on.
Thank you for making me weird. I mean, I can't give you all the credit. There are other authors that I obsessed over back in the day, but few to the extent I did over you and your work.
I'm actor, writer, and comedian by trade. I'm poor but my life is too damn wacky for me to ever get sad about it. If I do get a paycheck I probably owe you a cut of it. Every book I read that took me out of the ego and reality of life helped shape me into the odd person I am starting to enjoy being. Normal is an occupational hazard for a person like me, and thanks to you I'll never need worker's comp.
So, yeah. Thanks for listening. I'm ordering Oddly Enough right now. I don't remember the end of any of the stories, and that's fantastic. I get to open the box again!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Perry -
I'm sorry to take so long in getting back to you - especially since what you wrote was such a wonderful message. The guestbook got away from me this spring and I'm still trying to catch up.
Anyway, I am more than happy to know I had a hand in making you weird! To paraphrase Lina Lamont in "Singin' in the Rain" it means "all my hard work ain't been in vain for nuthin!"
Being an actor, writer, and comedian sounds like a fine way to go through life. As long as you can make enough to put food on the table I suspect you'll be much happier this way than if you had a 9 to 5.
Wishing you much success, and lots of happy weirdness,
Bruce
I'm sorry to take so long in getting back to you - especially since what you wrote was such a wonderful message. The guestbook got away from me this spring and I'm still trying to catch up.
Anyway, I am more than happy to know I had a hand in making you weird! To paraphrase Lina Lamont in "Singin' in the Rain" it means "all my hard work ain't been in vain for nuthin!"
Being an actor, writer, and comedian sounds like a fine way to go through life. As long as you can make enough to put food on the table I suspect you'll be much happier this way than if you had a 9 to 5.
Wishing you much success, and lots of happy weirdness,
Bruce
OMG I am your BIGGEST fan! I absolutely love your series into the land of the unicorns!!!!! I have around 40 of your books. I have read them all. this is my moms email address. Bye!
From, Tyler Dixon XD
From, Tyler Dixon XD
Reply by Bruce Coville
Bruce Coville replied on Sunday, September 08, 2013:
Hi, Tyler -
SOOOO glad you love INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS. There are more books in the series that I hope you will find equally compelling. Thanks for letting me know what a SUPER fan you are!
BC
Hi, Tyler -
SOOOO glad you love INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS. There are more books in the series that I hope you will find equally compelling. Thanks for letting me know what a SUPER fan you are!
BC
As you know, I've been a fan of I WAS A SIXTH GRADE ALIEN for 12 years. I first heard it read by my sixth grade teacher. I am an adult woman and still own the books. ^_^ Maktel is still my favorite. I am saddened that a follow up book on them as adults will not happen. But I am so curious and would like to know what happened to the characters? 🙂 Surely you theorized what happened to them, as have I. Did Pleskit become the ambassador of Hevi Hevi? Did Tim become an intergalactic documentary camera man? What happened to Maktel? =) Aaaannd I'd love to get TOO MANY ALIENS autograph by you, is there an agency I can send it to to get autographed by you?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Alexandra -
Sorry to take so long to answer. One of those times when the Guestbook has gotten away from me.
I love the fact that you have theorized what happened to the characters in SIXTH GRADE ALIEN, and I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I have not done the same myself. I suppose it may be because I was so busy trying to figure what was happening to them on a book by book basis!
It really would be fun to do a book about them as adults, but I can't see much likelihood of it getting published. Sigh.
I would be happy to autograph your book for you. You can send it to me at
Oddly Enough, PO Box 6110, Syracuse, NY 13217. But please include a stamped envelope addressed to yourself in which I an return it.
Cheers,
BC
Sorry to take so long to answer. One of those times when the Guestbook has gotten away from me.
I love the fact that you have theorized what happened to the characters in SIXTH GRADE ALIEN, and I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I have not done the same myself. I suppose it may be because I was so busy trying to figure what was happening to them on a book by book basis!
It really would be fun to do a book about them as adults, but I can't see much likelihood of it getting published. Sigh.
I would be happy to autograph your book for you. You can send it to me at
Oddly Enough, PO Box 6110, Syracuse, NY 13217. But please include a stamped envelope addressed to yourself in which I an return it.
Cheers,
BC
I saw a post in the guest book from Aubrey Sellman
in Lawton, Oklahoma on August 22nd that said You might be coming to her school. I was curious if that was confirmed or not yet and if it was possible that you would be doing anything else in Oklahoma during that time that would be open to the public because I know the school visits are not. As you know Riley and I are you biggest fans and we own all of your books. (buying the new Amber Brown as soon as it comes out) and I met you as a child but he has not yet had the pleasure. If you are gonna be in the state I would love to bring him to meet you at last. Lawton is about 2 hrs drive from us but I would not mind making the drive even if it was for just long enough to sign a book and say hello (maybe snap a picture or two). I promise not to bring all 101 books to get signed lol. My fingers are crossed hoping its true that you will be visiting the great state of Oklahoma soon and that we will get to see you. Riley and I both have birthdays this month him on the 10th and me on the 20th and this would be a wonderful gift to have. If your lucky maybe you can be here during the Oklahoma State fair 9/12 - 9/22 were almost everything is deep fried and covered in Bacon (not joking) Hope to hear from you soon. Your friends Nikki and Riley
in Lawton, Oklahoma on August 22nd that said You might be coming to her school. I was curious if that was confirmed or not yet and if it was possible that you would be doing anything else in Oklahoma during that time that would be open to the public because I know the school visits are not. As you know Riley and I are you biggest fans and we own all of your books. (buying the new Amber Brown as soon as it comes out) and I met you as a child but he has not yet had the pleasure. If you are gonna be in the state I would love to bring him to meet you at last. Lawton is about 2 hrs drive from us but I would not mind making the drive even if it was for just long enough to sign a book and say hello (maybe snap a picture or two). I promise not to bring all 101 books to get signed lol. My fingers are crossed hoping its true that you will be visiting the great state of Oklahoma soon and that we will get to see you. Riley and I both have birthdays this month him on the 10th and me on the 20th and this would be a wonderful gift to have. If your lucky maybe you can be here during the Oklahoma State fair 9/12 - 9/22 were almost everything is deep fried and covered in Bacon (not joking) Hope to hear from you soon. Your friends Nikki and Riley
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Nicole and Riley -
Nope, no confirmation on that matter as of this point. It would be nice if it happened, but right now it is up in the air.
Sometimes a bookstore will work in conjunction with the school . . . in fact, I think that happened the last time I was in Lawton, which was many years ago. If this does come to pass it will certainly not be as soon as this month - generally these things are set up months, if not years, in advance.
While school visits are generally not open to the public, I can usually get a school to allow in someone that I know, and you and Riley would certainly qualify in that regard. So there is that.
All best to my biggest fans!
Bruce
Nope, no confirmation on that matter as of this point. It would be nice if it happened, but right now it is up in the air.
Sometimes a bookstore will work in conjunction with the school . . . in fact, I think that happened the last time I was in Lawton, which was many years ago. If this does come to pass it will certainly not be as soon as this month - generally these things are set up months, if not years, in advance.
While school visits are generally not open to the public, I can usually get a school to allow in someone that I know, and you and Riley would certainly qualify in that regard. So there is that.
All best to my biggest fans!
Bruce
Mr. Coville,
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love The Unicorn Chronicles series. Being an adult man, I love when people give me weird looks or ask why I am reading a book about unicorns. It gives me the chance to let them know about the book, and how amazing and moving the whole series turns truly is. As a middle school teacher, I have enjoyed sharing it with my class. They have fallen in love, just as I did many years ago with the first book in the series. You have provided the motivation to get me to finally sit down and write my first book; any words of advice for a young author? I'm 30,000 words in, and when I feel like I've lost the drive, I just pick up one of your books, and it provides all the inspiration I need to create my own world of magic. Thank you again!
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love The Unicorn Chronicles series. Being an adult man, I love when people give me weird looks or ask why I am reading a book about unicorns. It gives me the chance to let them know about the book, and how amazing and moving the whole series turns truly is. As a middle school teacher, I have enjoyed sharing it with my class. They have fallen in love, just as I did many years ago with the first book in the series. You have provided the motivation to get me to finally sit down and write my first book; any words of advice for a young author? I'm 30,000 words in, and when I feel like I've lost the drive, I just pick up one of your books, and it provides all the inspiration I need to create my own world of magic. Thank you again!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Stephen -
What a delightful message! Many thanks for taking the time to stop by and tell me how you feel about these books, and the way you've been sharing them.
I am especially honored to know that I provided motivation for you to start writing yourself. As you may know, I began my career as a teacher myself . . . those years in the classroom were great preparation for writing for young readers.
As to advice . . . First and foremost: Never give up!
Secondly, Robert McKee's book STORY is a really useful guide.
Third, consider joining the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).
Fourth, never give up. (I know, I already said that once, but it bears repeating!)
All best
BC
What a delightful message! Many thanks for taking the time to stop by and tell me how you feel about these books, and the way you've been sharing them.
I am especially honored to know that I provided motivation for you to start writing yourself. As you may know, I began my career as a teacher myself . . . those years in the classroom were great preparation for writing for young readers.
As to advice . . . First and foremost: Never give up!
Secondly, Robert McKee's book STORY is a really useful guide.
Third, consider joining the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators).
Fourth, never give up. (I know, I already said that once, but it bears repeating!)
All best
BC
do you slay real ones?
Reply by Bruce Coville
I prefer to make friends with them if I can . . .
BC
BC
i like your website
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sheridan -
Thanks. We worked hard to make the website fun and interesting!
BC
Thanks. We worked hard to make the website fun and interesting!
BC
I think your books are fantastic.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Chariusma -
Wow! Thanks. Fantastic is what I always aim for.
BC
Wow! Thanks. Fantastic is what I always aim for.
BC