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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937 entries.
brianna from manahawkin, Nj USA wrote on January 12, 2013
NINA IS A GREAT BOOK FOR EVERYONE TO READ ARE YOU MAKING MORE
Reply by Bruce Coville
Thanks, Brianna! There are three Nina Tanleven books in all. I have been working on a fourth one, off an on, but the publisher decided they didn't want it. I am not sure what I will do with it now.

Those books are particular favorites of mine, since I based Nina and Chris on my daughter and her best friend!

BC
Chrissy from NY USA wrote on January 10, 2013
I read Book of Monsters today. I liked the way you expanded the first story when you made it into Always October...but why did you change the main character's name?
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Chrissy -

Glad you enjoyed ALWAYS OCTOBER. As to "why did you change the main character's name?" . . . well, that's a good question, and I'm not sure I have a good answer. I think the most likely reason is that I was struggling to break out from the short story (I had to let go of sooooo much from the story when I made it into a novel) and changing the name of the main boy helped me feel like it was a new story.

All best,

BC
Samantha Coville from Kissimmee, FL USA wrote on January 8, 2013
You're such an inspiration to me! Having someone with the same last name to look up to is great. Not only do I now own a successful book review site but I'm also in the editing process of my first novel! The world of writing is for me and you led me to it. Thank you a million times. 🙂
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Samantha -

Given what little I know of our family name, it is almost a certainty that we are related in some way. There aren't that many of us! I am delighted to know that I have been an inspiration to you, and I wish you the absolute best of luck in pursuing your writing. Maybe someday we'll be doing a signing together!

BC
Nathan from San Diego, Californa USA wrote on January 7, 2013
Ur books r sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo AWSOME
Reply by Bruce Coville
Thaaaaaaaaaanks, Nathan!!

BC
Mr.Read-A-Lot,and Mr.Thank-You,a.k.a Duke from Bentonville, AR USA wrote on January 5, 2013
Dear Bruce,
Thank you.You are one of the first authors whos kind of my friend.Thanks to you and other authors inspiered me to be an author.Whenever I got Jeremy,I hoped it would be a good book.And it was!So I want to send you and your wife 1,000 thank you's.
Your friend[x 2]
Duke
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hey, Duke -

Glad to be of service! Very glad that you liked JEREMY. If I had to guess which of my books is most likely to live on after I am gone, that would be the one!

All best,

BC
Mr.Read-A-Lot from ?, ? ? wrote on January 4, 2013
Dear Mr.Coville,
I planed on buying some of your books,but I didn't know if there's tax.So tell me,is there tax on your books?I went to Barnes and Noble,but they only had "Jeremy"!!
Hopeing a good new year to you,
Mr.Read-A-Lot 😀
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Mr. Read-A-Lot -

Sales tax on books is a state-by-state matter, so it depends on where you are. If you buy from my website and you live in NY, we have to charge tax, because that's where we're located. If you're in some other state, we don't.

By the way, though your Barnes and Noble only had JEREMY on the shelf, any B&N should be able to order any book you request of them.

Happy reading!

BC
Kenia from milpitas, california USA wrote on January 2, 2013
Hi my brotner here,Isaac wants to know how old you are.:-) ( it's okay if you don't tell how old are 🙂 ):-)
Sincerely ,
Kenia and Isaac
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Kenia and Isaac -

I was born in May of 1950. If you do the math, you can figure out how old I am! ;>

BC
Kenia from milpitas, california USA wrote on January 2, 2013
Happy new year ,I hope you write more books!!!!!
Sincerely,
Kenia
Reply by Bruce Coville
Thanks, Kenia - Happy New Year to you, too!

I am working on some new books right now. I hope I can finish at least three of them this year!

BC

PS: I answered your brother's question about my age - you'll find it on the guestbook.
Jesse L from Portland, OR USA wrote on January 2, 2013
Mr. Coville,
My name is Jesse, I'm 27 years old, and I just finished reading Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. The book affected me as much now as it did when I first read it as a young boy. It moved me deeply. You were always my favorite author as a child, but it wasn't until I became an adult that I realized the extent to which your stories shaped me. Jeremy Thatcher, D.H., helped me understand that loving fantasy didn't make me weird, even in the face of those who said it did. Love matters, a lot, but sometimes... well, I won't spoil the end for others, but sometimes the hardest decisions are the right ones. The Aliens Ate my Homework books helped me realize that size doesn't matter, and that little relatives might have more to them than meets the eye.
But most important was My Teacher Blew Up the Planet. I was always a shy kid, who did what he was told. I was the "good" kid, but all that meant was I was good at pleasing adults. I don't know who I might have become were it not for books like this one. That "good"-ness in me might have become no more than a mask, except that it could not, for it had people like Peter, Susan, and Duncan in it. They taught me, really taught me, that however bad people could get, whatever awful things they did, it was because they hurt. "What is one may become many" may be simpler and more fantastic than the real world, but it so adequately sums up the division that is the source of cruelty. My genuine optimism for humanity lies firmly at your feet, sir. If nothing else in your career has given you a big head, I hope that does.
Warmest Regards,
Jesse
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jesse -

Thank you for this beautiful message. I just participated in a video project about CHARLOTTE'S WEB, a book that affected me deeply when I was young. I think JEREMY THATCHER, DRAGON HATCHER is likely to be the closest I ever come to a book that has taht kind of impact, so this message was particularly meaningful for me.

Love does matter.

I write for many kids, among them the shy kids, the good kids, and the kids who need to break loose a bit.

Though my friends and family try to keep me from getting a "big head" I don't mind it happening on occasion. This beautiful message from you is one of thsoe occasions.

A message like this lets me know that I did the right thing by pouring my heart and soul into becoming an author. Thank you for making that be real.

All best,

BC
Chrissy from NY USA wrote on January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Thanks, Chrissy. The same to you!!