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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967 entries.
I check the guestbook on a regular basis to see if there are any new posts.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Got it. So it was good timing. I tend to answer in bursts, especially when I am traveling . . . that is, the messages will build up for a while, and then I try to answer several all at once.
Bruce
Bruce
Dear Mr. Coville,
Good afternoon! I've met you twice so far at the Boskone literary convention held in Boston in years past, and was sad that I didn't see you or your booth at the one this last February. I love the sense of humor and fun you bring to the panels there, and it's always nice to see my favorite author 'in the flesh.' 🙂
But the purpose of this message was that I wanted to say congratulations! I was walking through my local Barnes & Noble yesterday and stopped to admire a display of books, where Almost October was prominently displayed, and to my surprise the employee for that section approached me and said that these books had won the Maine Student Book Award for 2013! I'm so excited that your most recent book was recognized! I found this link online: msba.umeedu.maine.edu
I told the employee that I had had no idea about the award, and she lamented that they didn't have a sign to put with the display since it was a local award and Corporate didn't provide those, and she then walked off muttering to herself about making one up herself so I do hope it got on the display eventually.
Congratulations from one of your very long time fans! I've been reading your work since 5th Grade and continue to aspire to write and touch as many children as you have.
Sincerely, Shelli
Good afternoon! I've met you twice so far at the Boskone literary convention held in Boston in years past, and was sad that I didn't see you or your booth at the one this last February. I love the sense of humor and fun you bring to the panels there, and it's always nice to see my favorite author 'in the flesh.' 🙂
But the purpose of this message was that I wanted to say congratulations! I was walking through my local Barnes & Noble yesterday and stopped to admire a display of books, where Almost October was prominently displayed, and to my surprise the employee for that section approached me and said that these books had won the Maine Student Book Award for 2013! I'm so excited that your most recent book was recognized! I found this link online: msba.umeedu.maine.edu
I told the employee that I had had no idea about the award, and she lamented that they didn't have a sign to put with the display since it was a local award and Corporate didn't provide those, and she then walked off muttering to herself about making one up herself so I do hope it got on the display eventually.
Congratulations from one of your very long time fans! I've been reading your work since 5th Grade and continue to aspire to write and touch as many children as you have.
Sincerely, Shelli
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Shelli-Jo -
I was really sorry to miss Boskone this year - first time I haven't been in almost a quarter of a century. But I had a chance to make a speaking trip through Africa, and it was just too good to give up.
Many thanks for the good news from Maine! I had no idea ALWAYS OCTOBER was on the list for that award. I really appreciate you telling me!
Good luck with your own writing!
all best,
Bruce
I was really sorry to miss Boskone this year - first time I haven't been in almost a quarter of a century. But I had a chance to make a speaking trip through Africa, and it was just too good to give up.
Many thanks for the good news from Maine! I had no idea ALWAYS OCTOBER was on the list for that award. I really appreciate you telling me!
Good luck with your own writing!
all best,
Bruce
Epic wasn't as good as the similar themed Ferngully...but yes I think you should see it.
In another guestbook entry you said you are going to work on another book...does that mean you are done with the Goblins sequel?
In another guestbook entry you said you are going to work on another book...does that mean you are done with the Goblins sequel?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Chrissy -
Wow, that was fast. I don't have your email, so you don't get notifications when I post a response (or do you?) Do you monitor the guestbook regularly, or was that just a coincidence? (Not a big issue, just curious.)
Anyway, I am still working on the GOBLIN revisions, but have begun the planning for the next book . . . actually, have about 50 pages written, which I did while I was waiting for the editorial letter on the first pass of GOBLINS.
Bruce
Wow, that was fast. I don't have your email, so you don't get notifications when I post a response (or do you?) Do you monitor the guestbook regularly, or was that just a coincidence? (Not a big issue, just curious.)
Anyway, I am still working on the GOBLIN revisions, but have begun the planning for the next book . . . actually, have about 50 pages written, which I did while I was waiting for the editorial letter on the first pass of GOBLINS.
Bruce
hi, can you please write more myth based books? like thor's wedding day. also can you just write more magic shop books? can juliet dove go back?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, It -
I'm soon starting a book that is not myth based, but that will draw on a lot of folklore and legend. I hope that will satisfy!
No more Magic Shop books for now, alas.
BC
I'm soon starting a book that is not myth based, but that will draw on a lot of folklore and legend. I hope that will satisfy!
No more Magic Shop books for now, alas.
BC
Hi Bruce
Just wanted say thank you for signing a copy of your book and sending it to us we met back in the 80's at Buckshot Lake we still have the book although name escapes me at this moment.
Just wanted say thank you for signing a copy of your book and sending it to us we met back in the 80's at Buckshot Lake we still have the book although name escapes me at this moment.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Dan and Cheryl -
Wow! That's going back some. I'm delighted you still remember.
We'll be heading back to Buckshot Lake later this summer. It's pretty much my favorite place in the world.
All best,
Bruce
Wow! That's going back some. I'm delighted you still remember.
We'll be heading back to Buckshot Lake later this summer. It's pretty much my favorite place in the world.
All best,
Bruce
I LOVE you books. I have been reading them since I was a kid, and being deslexic readiness was always hard. I just finished always october and was hoping that you would write a sequel.
Please keep writing!! Your fan,
Christina;)
Please keep writing!! Your fan,
Christina;)
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Christina -
Many thanks for this message. I'm so glad you liked ALWAYS OCTOBER! It was a hard one to write, but once I was done I was so pleased with it. Thing is, it doesn't make that much difference how I feel about it . . . the important thing is how readers feel!
A sequel is unlikely, alas, as the publisher dumped me earlier this year and I have moved on to work somewhere else. Such is the nature of publishing . . .
Happily, I am very pleased with my new home, and hope to be doing some good work there!
With all good wishes,
BC
Many thanks for this message. I'm so glad you liked ALWAYS OCTOBER! It was a hard one to write, but once I was done I was so pleased with it. Thing is, it doesn't make that much difference how I feel about it . . . the important thing is how readers feel!
A sequel is unlikely, alas, as the publisher dumped me earlier this year and I have moved on to work somewhere else. Such is the nature of publishing . . .
Happily, I am very pleased with my new home, and hope to be doing some good work there!
With all good wishes,
BC
I remember telling you in this guestbook about the movie Epic and the frog named Bufo. I finally got to see the movie on Saturday and I don't think you have to worry about people accusing you of copying the movie. Bufo was only in TWO scenes!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Chrissy -
Heh. Thanks for letting me know about this. How about the movie - was it any good? Should I bother to see it?
Bruce
Heh. Thanks for letting me know about this. How about the movie - was it any good? Should I bother to see it?
Bruce
I just finished Always October and I loved it. Thank you so much for writing it. I do hope you are working on a sequel for it.
I am a librarian and I order children's books. Whenever I see your name I order the book. You are an awesome writer and I have loved everything of yours that I have read. I do recommend your books to the young people who frequent our library. Thank you for writing such wonderful books.
I am a librarian and I order children's books. Whenever I see your name I order the book. You are an awesome writer and I have loved everything of yours that I have read. I do recommend your books to the young people who frequent our library. Thank you for writing such wonderful books.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Sharon -
Oh, thank you so much for this! I had a real struggle with bringing ALWAYS OCTOBER to fruition, but once it was done I really loved it.
I don't usually hear much about a book until it comes out in paperback, so this early affirmation is very cheering to me.
No sequel in the works right now, alas, but I certainly wouldn't object to the idea!
All best.
Bruce
Oh, thank you so much for this! I had a real struggle with bringing ALWAYS OCTOBER to fruition, but once it was done I really loved it.
I don't usually hear much about a book until it comes out in paperback, so this early affirmation is very cheering to me.
No sequel in the works right now, alas, but I certainly wouldn't object to the idea!
All best.
Bruce
Hello Mr. Bruce!
Previously, I have read and am a big fan of your Unicorn Chronicles books (I have all four - they are EPIC), and now, as I was browsing through the shelves of my local library, I found Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Anyway, this is just a note to tell you how much I loved your book (yes, I'm a dragon-lover :D) and how much it meant to me. It was hilarious with Tiamat's escapades growing up (especially with the cats at the dinner table!) and her dynamic with Jeremy. But most of all was the really touching ending - you totally felt for Jeremy and then revelled in the hope and glory at the end. 🙂 Thank you for an amazing, inspirational book! - M
Previously, I have read and am a big fan of your Unicorn Chronicles books (I have all four - they are EPIC), and now, as I was browsing through the shelves of my local library, I found Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Anyway, this is just a note to tell you how much I loved your book (yes, I'm a dragon-lover :D) and how much it meant to me. It was hilarious with Tiamat's escapades growing up (especially with the cats at the dinner table!) and her dynamic with Jeremy. But most of all was the really touching ending - you totally felt for Jeremy and then revelled in the hope and glory at the end. 🙂 Thank you for an amazing, inspirational book! - M
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Marissa -
So delighted to know that you loved JEREMY THATCHER. I have long felt that if I had to guess which book was most likely to outlive me, I would settle on JEREMY.
I write a lot, obviously. Sometimes everything comes together and you get something really special, something that rises above most of the rest of the work. JEREMY is one of those books for me. I wish I could do it again! ;>
Bruce
So delighted to know that you loved JEREMY THATCHER. I have long felt that if I had to guess which book was most likely to outlive me, I would settle on JEREMY.
I write a lot, obviously. Sometimes everything comes together and you get something really special, something that rises above most of the rest of the work. JEREMY is one of those books for me. I wish I could do it again! ;>
Bruce
Dear Mr. Coville,
I think I was in about third or fourth grade when I found Into the Land of the Unicorns, at a book fair, and begged my mom to get it for me. It has been one of my favorite books ever since. Im now about to turn 26 and the Unicorn Chronicles is still the first thing I mention any time a discussion about the fantasy genre comes up.
Im currently in college, majoring in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing, and I hope to write professionally after I graduate. Many different things inspired me to choose that major, but looking back at it now, Into the Land of the Unicorns, was the first book I can remember reading that left me thinking, I want to write like that! So, I wanted to say thank you. 🙂
I really enjoy your writing. Its so powerful, has such a wonderful mixture of humor and angst, and the descriptions are amazing. I also wanted to pass along something I thought you might appreciate.
When I was in elementary school, I had to get allergy shots every week, one in each arm. As a distraction, my mom would read out loud to me while we waited. One week, we happened to be in the middle of Into the Land of the Unicorns. I was totally absorbed in listening to the story until I realized how quiet the waiting room had gotten. We werent alone, I realized when I looked up. Its just that the receptionist, one or two of the nurses, and the teenage boy sitting across from us had all stopped to listen to the story as well. I can imagine they were all pretty disappointed when we had to leave.
Thank you again for your wonderful books, and many, many hours of enjoyment.
I think I was in about third or fourth grade when I found Into the Land of the Unicorns, at a book fair, and begged my mom to get it for me. It has been one of my favorite books ever since. Im now about to turn 26 and the Unicorn Chronicles is still the first thing I mention any time a discussion about the fantasy genre comes up.
Im currently in college, majoring in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing, and I hope to write professionally after I graduate. Many different things inspired me to choose that major, but looking back at it now, Into the Land of the Unicorns, was the first book I can remember reading that left me thinking, I want to write like that! So, I wanted to say thank you. 🙂
I really enjoy your writing. Its so powerful, has such a wonderful mixture of humor and angst, and the descriptions are amazing. I also wanted to pass along something I thought you might appreciate.
When I was in elementary school, I had to get allergy shots every week, one in each arm. As a distraction, my mom would read out loud to me while we waited. One week, we happened to be in the middle of Into the Land of the Unicorns. I was totally absorbed in listening to the story until I realized how quiet the waiting room had gotten. We werent alone, I realized when I looked up. Its just that the receptionist, one or two of the nurses, and the teenage boy sitting across from us had all stopped to listen to the story as well. I can imagine they were all pretty disappointed when we had to leave.
Thank you again for your wonderful books, and many, many hours of enjoyment.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Tiffany -
Given how long it's been since you signed the guestbook, I suspect you'll be quite startled to get this response. (I hope it actually does reach you!)
First off, my apologies for the ridiculous delay in getting back to you. The Guestbook gets away from me on a regular basis and as I fall further and further behind it gets harder and harder to get caught up. (We've also had a lot of technical problems with it over the last couple of years.)
Okay, with that out of the way, I'm thoroughly delighted to know how much the Unicorn Chronicles meant to you. I especially appreciated the "I want to write like that!" comment, as it was a similar feeling about the books I loved in my early teens that helped lead me to this profession.
And I loved, completely loved, your story about the silence in the waiting room while your mother was reading aloud to you! Thanks for sharing that!
BC
Given how long it's been since you signed the guestbook, I suspect you'll be quite startled to get this response. (I hope it actually does reach you!)
First off, my apologies for the ridiculous delay in getting back to you. The Guestbook gets away from me on a regular basis and as I fall further and further behind it gets harder and harder to get caught up. (We've also had a lot of technical problems with it over the last couple of years.)
Okay, with that out of the way, I'm thoroughly delighted to know how much the Unicorn Chronicles meant to you. I especially appreciated the "I want to write like that!" comment, as it was a similar feeling about the books I loved in my early teens that helped lead me to this profession.
And I loved, completely loved, your story about the silence in the waiting room while your mother was reading aloud to you! Thanks for sharing that!
BC