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.
Megan from Coshocton, Ohio, Ohio USA wrote on April 4, 2013
well that sucks that....but how much would it cost for you to travel to different schools cause in our afterschool program we have the funds for a guest speaker. I'm in the process of writing a proposal to our principal to have a guest speaker. Thank-you for your advice on how to start or write a book.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Megan -

I don't post my fees online, but if your principal or librarian wants to contact me about coming, there is information on my website. To be honest, I'm fairly expensive . . . that's partly because heading out for a speaking engagement means not being at my desk writing. It's a trade off. Also, I do three high energy presentations when I am in a school.

BC
josh noe from coshocton, ohio USA wrote on April 4, 2013
hey how did you come up with all of thoes books that you wrote
Reply by Bruce Coville
I have WBS (Weird Brain Syndrom)

BC
josh noe from coshocton, ohio USA wrote on April 4, 2013
haha so i thought it was cool that you used chachater from your school and on your teacher fried my brains did you ever fry your kids brain lol and is that why you wrote that book
Reply by Bruce Coville
I tried to fry my kids' brains on a daily basis! I figured it was part of my job!

BC
Jennifer Purpura from Massachusetts, Chelmsford USA wrote on April 3, 2013
I love your book Jennifer Murdley's toad
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Jennifer -

Oh, I'm delighted to know that. The first time I tried to write the book, I got off track. It was a relief when I finally figured out how to make it work. Now it's one of my favorites out of all the books I've done!

Thanks for letting me know that you love it.

BC
Brendan Stephens from Coshocton, Ohio USA wrote on April 3, 2013
I know my readling teacher is a vampire but i don't think she will tell me. What should I say to her? The book I read was "my teacher is an alien". My favorite character in that book is Peter. I appreciate the book.It is on my top 10 favorite book.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Brendan -

I am so sorry to hear that your teacher is a vampire. You might want to take to wearing a clove of garlic around your neck for protection. It is very unlikely that any vampire will ever admit to being one.

Glad you enjoyed My Teacher is an Alien so much. Peter's adventures continue, especially in the third and fourth books. Hope you'll enjoy them, too!

BC
Megan from Coshocton, Ohio, Ohio USA wrote on April 3, 2013
Well, The good news is at least you tried to get a movie for "My Teachers An Alien". My teacher Mrs.Fitch and my classmates and I were woundering if you could stop by our school River View Jounior High and tell us how you start a book or how to write a book....I'm also intrested in writing a book I have an idea I just don't know how to start the book.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Megan -

Thanks for the invitation to stop by your school. Unfortunately, since you are hundreds of miles away from me, just stopping by is unlikely!

Two things about starting a book: (1) Just sit down and do it . . . and remember that you can always change the beginning later. People get tied up about starting at the perfect spot, as if the first opening you write will be the one you end up using. Revision is not fixing the spelling, it's fixing the story, and you can't fix it until you have a first draft to begin with.
(2) Start with something happening. You can fill in some of the details later.

Good luck,

BC
josh noe from coshocton, ohio USA wrote on April 3, 2013
im sorry i was talking about my teacher is an alien how did you come up with that book i thought it was pretty cool how made it up like that
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Josh -

I've got aliens on the brain! ;> Plus, I used to be a teacher, so I used a lot of what I had observed while I was teaching to help me write the book. Peter, Susan, and Duncan were all based on kids I have had in my classes.

BC
Pat Pederson from Glenville, NY USA wrote on March 28, 2013
Dear Bruce Coville,
I just read Amber Brown is tickled pink, and I want you to know that I am too! I think you and Elizabeth Levy really got it right, and besides, it was fun! (And I love that Justin's little baby sister is named Paula.) Once upon a time I worked at Syracuse Stage, for Bob Moss and Tim Bond, and I also worked at DeWitt's Barnes and Noble, when your daughter worked there, btw. I hope you, she and everyone you hold dear are well!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Pat -

Lovely to hear from you! I remember you well, and I just saw Bob a few nights ago, when I ran into him at Stage for "Midsummer Night's Dream".

I can't tell you how it delights me to know that you think Liz and I got TICKLED PINK right. Honoring Paula's memory and style was our goal, and failing to do that was our greatest fear. So these kind words are much appreciated.

Daughter Cara is now personal assistant to Tamora Pierce, which seems to be a good match.

I hope you are well and happy. It's lovely to hear from you.

all best,

Bruce
Allyson from USA wrote on March 28, 2013
Hello, Bruce! I'm Allyson, the girl who gave you the drawings at your sole presentation at the Tucson Festival of Books. I know that I made it a few years back and it's not my best, but I was just wondering if you were going to put it under the fan art. Thanks so much for being there! And I agree with what you said-"This is what every children's author feels like about Harry Potter-NO!!! Why waswn't it me!!!!!!!!!" Haha!
Reply by Bruce Coville
Hi, Allyson -

It was lovely to meet you in Tucson. I'm not sure if I will be able to get your drawings up on the website. Things have gotten complicated since my webmaster is in the Philippines (!!) and I am not good at scanning things.

Glad you liked the Harry Potter riff. I really like those books, but I've also had a lot of fun talking about them!

All best,

BC
Larry Kugler from Springfield, Virginia USA wrote on March 27, 2013
Mr. Coville,
I met you in 1996 at an IRA convention. I told you before your presentation that The Foolish Giant was one of my favorite read alouds for my daughter and to my primary classes. Well, 16 years later I have a granddaughter who is 2 1/2 years old. I recently read her The Foolish Gian, wondering if the story might be a bit too scary. Well, it has now become her favorite book and I watch with joy my daughter now reading about Harry to her child. Thank you for a story that touches the heart and will live on from generation to generation.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Larry -

Many thanks for this lovely message. Because The Foolish Giant was my first published book, I have an intense affection for it. And, indeed, it is still the basis for my presentation to primary schools. So knowing that you are now sharing the story with your granddaughter (I am jealous - I am still waiting for grandchildren!) thoroughly delights me. Thank you for letting me know this!

BC