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!
869 entries.
Dear Mr. Coville,
I signed this guestbook eons ago when I was in middle school, in 2006. When I was twelve, and in seventh grade, my dad was battling cancer for the first time. Through The Unicorn Chronicles, I was able to escape the pain I was experiencing. After I read your books, I knew that I wanted to be like you, an author, with the ability to create a story that helped other people, of any age, in any way possible. You were the inspiration that started it all for me, Mr. Coville. Ever since I was twelve (and I just turned twenty), I have written countless of stories, of where I can see similarities from my first one to certain things in Cara's journey. Writing and reading have been two major coping skills for a lot of things I have been through since I was twelve, including my dad's death which occurred last year. I wrote you a letter a long time ago as well, which you replied to, and I remember being so ecstatic about your response. I don't know where it is anymore, but I know that letter is rumpled and torn from being re-read so many times. Thanks to you, Mr. Coville, your books, and your response to me when I was younger, I am now pursuing my dreams of being a writer. I'm attending Full Sail University in Florida, pursuing the Creative Writing for Entertainment degree. I talked about you in my class yesterday, actually, and about at which point in our lives did we realize what we wanted to do with them. Bruce Coville, you are a man of words that hold such incredible magic within them, and I hope to give the gift you unknowingly gave me to another person in the future.
Best regards,
Ashley
I signed this guestbook eons ago when I was in middle school, in 2006. When I was twelve, and in seventh grade, my dad was battling cancer for the first time. Through The Unicorn Chronicles, I was able to escape the pain I was experiencing. After I read your books, I knew that I wanted to be like you, an author, with the ability to create a story that helped other people, of any age, in any way possible. You were the inspiration that started it all for me, Mr. Coville. Ever since I was twelve (and I just turned twenty), I have written countless of stories, of where I can see similarities from my first one to certain things in Cara's journey. Writing and reading have been two major coping skills for a lot of things I have been through since I was twelve, including my dad's death which occurred last year. I wrote you a letter a long time ago as well, which you replied to, and I remember being so ecstatic about your response. I don't know where it is anymore, but I know that letter is rumpled and torn from being re-read so many times. Thanks to you, Mr. Coville, your books, and your response to me when I was younger, I am now pursuing my dreams of being a writer. I'm attending Full Sail University in Florida, pursuing the Creative Writing for Entertainment degree. I talked about you in my class yesterday, actually, and about at which point in our lives did we realize what we wanted to do with them. Bruce Coville, you are a man of words that hold such incredible magic within them, and I hope to give the gift you unknowingly gave me to another person in the future.
Best regards,
Ashley
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Ashley -
I am delighted and humbled by this lovely message. It means a great deal to me to know that my stories, my messages to you, have had such a profound impact. What more can a writer (and former teacher) ask for?
I'm terribly sorry to hear about your loss of your dad. My own father is entering the final stages of his life right now, having lived far longer than he ever expected to, so I am very aware of all that goes with the impending death of a parent.
On the other hand, it is exciting to read your plans for your writing career, and I truly wish you the best of luck with it. May your words take you on a joyful journey!
All best,
BC
I am delighted and humbled by this lovely message. It means a great deal to me to know that my stories, my messages to you, have had such a profound impact. What more can a writer (and former teacher) ask for?
I'm terribly sorry to hear about your loss of your dad. My own father is entering the final stages of his life right now, having lived far longer than he ever expected to, so I am very aware of all that goes with the impending death of a parent.
On the other hand, it is exciting to read your plans for your writing career, and I truly wish you the best of luck with it. May your words take you on a joyful journey!
All best,
BC
Dear Mr. Coville,
My sister is about 8 years old.
My sister is about 8 years old.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Victoria -
Then your sister is not old enough to know whether you can become a writer or not!
As to getting her interested in reading - is it possible for you to read to her? The more stories that people hear, the more apt they are to become interested in reading.
BC
Then your sister is not old enough to know whether you can become a writer or not!
As to getting her interested in reading - is it possible for you to read to her? The more stories that people hear, the more apt they are to become interested in reading.
BC
Bruce,
I am a big fan of your books. I like biscuits of glory. You are an amazing author.
Sincerly,
Austin
I am a big fan of your books. I like biscuits of glory. You are an amazing author.
Sincerly,
Austin
Reply by Bruce Coville
Thank you, Austin. I had fun writing that story!
BC
BC
Dear Mr. Coville,
You are an amazing and very inspirational author to me. I would like to be an author. My sister says writing books is difficult and I shouldn't try. Is it actually hard to write a book? It must take real passion into the subject for someone to write a long book that has 600 pages. My sister doesn't like reading books. How can I get her to read books?
Your friend,
Victoria
You are an amazing and very inspirational author to me. I would like to be an author. My sister says writing books is difficult and I shouldn't try. Is it actually hard to write a book? It must take real passion into the subject for someone to write a long book that has 600 pages. My sister doesn't like reading books. How can I get her to read books?
Your friend,
Victoria
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Victoria -
Your sister's comment made me blink in surprise. No one should ever tell you that you shouldn't try to do something. That said, it is indeed hard work to write a book. It's also fun.
How old is your sister?
BC
Your sister's comment made me blink in surprise. No one should ever tell you that you shouldn't try to do something. That said, it is indeed hard work to write a book. It's also fun.
How old is your sister?
BC
HI BRUCE COVILLE,
YOUR BOOKS ARE AWESOME! WHAT BOOK ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES FROM WRITING OR ILLUSTRATING AN AWESOME BOOK? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A SHORT STORY? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A LONG STORY? WHERE DO YOU GET ALL YOUR IDEAS FROM? WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG DID YOU WANT TO BECOME AN AUTHOR? IF YOU DID NOT WANT TO BECOME AN AUTHOR WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG THEN WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE? I WANT TO BE AN ARTIST OR A DOCTOR! I CAN'T REALLY DECIDE. BUT MY FAMILY WANTS ME TO BECOME A DOCTOR BECAUSE I AM SO KIND AND GENTLE.
SINCERELY,
AMAN
YOUR BOOKS ARE AWESOME! WHAT BOOK ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW? WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO BESIDES FROM WRITING OR ILLUSTRATING AN AWESOME BOOK? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A SHORT STORY? HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE A LONG STORY? WHERE DO YOU GET ALL YOUR IDEAS FROM? WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG DID YOU WANT TO BECOME AN AUTHOR? IF YOU DID NOT WANT TO BECOME AN AUTHOR WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG THEN WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE? I WANT TO BE AN ARTIST OR A DOCTOR! I CAN'T REALLY DECIDE. BUT MY FAMILY WANTS ME TO BECOME A DOCTOR BECAUSE I AM SO KIND AND GENTLE.
SINCERELY,
AMAN
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hello, Amanjot of the Many Questions -
Glad you think the books are awesome. Right now I am working on revising a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. There is no answer to how long it takes to write a story or a book. Every one is different, every one has its own time and rhythm.
I wanted to be many different things when I was young, but the one idea I kept coming back to was being a writer.
Some people who are doctors are also writers. It can be done. It is good to know that you are kind and gentle. Those are very good things.
BC
Glad you think the books are awesome. Right now I am working on revising a sequel to GOBLINS IN THE CASTLE. There is no answer to how long it takes to write a story or a book. Every one is different, every one has its own time and rhythm.
I wanted to be many different things when I was young, but the one idea I kept coming back to was being a writer.
Some people who are doctors are also writers. It can be done. It is good to know that you are kind and gentle. Those are very good things.
BC
Hey, Bruce Coville
I love your books. My favorite was Always October. Have you ever wanted to quit being an author? I want to be an author. But it seems very hard to become an author. Was it hard for you?
Your friend,
Danielle
I love your books. My favorite was Always October. Have you ever wanted to quit being an author? I want to be an author. But it seems very hard to become an author. Was it hard for you?
Your friend,
Danielle
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Danielle -
Thanks for this lovely message. I'm especially delighted that you loved ALWAYS OCTOBER, since it is so new that I have not had much response to it yet.
I worked very hard, over a period of many years, to become an author. One reason I succeeded is that I was too ornery and obstinate to quit! ;>
Thanks for dropping by to say hello.
BC
Thanks for this lovely message. I'm especially delighted that you loved ALWAYS OCTOBER, since it is so new that I have not had much response to it yet.
I worked very hard, over a period of many years, to become an author. One reason I succeeded is that I was too ornery and obstinate to quit! ;>
Thanks for dropping by to say hello.
BC
Bruce,
I understand that you didn't have much info.But I will tell you this. I'm ten.
I understand that you didn't have much info.But I will tell you this. I'm ten.
Reply by Bruce Coville
It is very unusual to publish when you are young, but not impossible. However that should not stop you from working on your skills. I spent about ten years writing, writing, writing before I finally sold my first book. Real writers write, and keep writing, no matter what anyone else tells them.
BC
BC
Hi Bruce! Right now Syracuse Childrens theater is doing the Dragonslayers(which you know). We got our parts last weekend and i am Willie in the Sunday afternoon class! So excited! Please write back!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Cami -
Congratulations on being cast as Princess Willie!!!
I think you probably know that I am in Africa right now. I am eager for to be at home for a while so that I can come to rehearsals. I love to watch a show being put together. I hope you're having a great time!
BC
Congratulations on being cast as Princess Willie!!!
I think you probably know that I am in Africa right now. I am eager for to be at home for a while so that I can come to rehearsals. I love to watch a show being put together. I hope you're having a great time!
BC
One more thing to add!! I'm a horrible writer, especially when it comes to choosing topics. But I do love to write and read.. well not often. What can I do?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Keep doing it! You are still learning. No one starts out as a terrific writer. It is a skill you have to practice!
BC
BC
I just finished The Monster's Ring! Its awesome! Where did you get the idea for it? And BTW, Russell... is that a common name?
P.S. You visited our school last year (SIS)
P.P.S. Alan Schroeder came to our school last month!
P.S. You visited our school last year (SIS)
P.P.S. Alan Schroeder came to our school last month!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jean -
So glad you liked THE MONSTER'S RING! There is no one idea for a book, and the ideas for this one came from many places. Russell is a fairly common name - not as common as Bob or Jim, but certainly not unusual. It was actually the name of a boy in my class when I was a teacher, and I based the character in the book on him.
I loved my visit to SIS!!
BC
So glad you liked THE MONSTER'S RING! There is no one idea for a book, and the ideas for this one came from many places. Russell is a fairly common name - not as common as Bob or Jim, but certainly not unusual. It was actually the name of a boy in my class when I was a teacher, and I based the character in the book on him.
I loved my visit to SIS!!
BC