Interview by Paul Salfen
In the world of children’s literature, few names evoke as much nostalgia and admiration as Bruce Coville. With over 100 books to his name and more than four decades inspiring young minds, the beloved author is celebrating two major milestones in 2025: the 35th anniversary of My Teacher Is an Alien (which sold over 1 million copies) and the 30th anniversary of “Am I Blue?”, the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ YA short story that helped pave the way for queer visibility in middle grade and teen fiction. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Coville for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable career, the stories that shaped him, and the ones that continue to change lives. What unfolded was a heartfelt dialogue filled with wisdom, humor, and a deep passion for storytelling.
Coville’s journey into writing began early, sparked by a love for adventure and fantasy. “I was a huge fan of fiction,” he recalls. “Edgar Rice Burroughs was my hero at that time.” As a high schooler in the late 1960s, he penned his first novel—a 100-page epic that he now keeps hidden in a desk drawer, vowing it will “never be seen over my dead body.” But even then, the joy of creation was evident: “I had so much fun writing it… I thought, okay, I can do this.”
He breaks down a writer’s career into four stages: getting published, achieving sales and reviews, connecting with readers, and ultimately, being remembered. At this point in his life, it’s the lasting impact that sustains him. “I get a lot of letters from people your age saying how much the books meant to them when they were kids,” he says. “People in their 30s and 40s write to me and say, ‘This book was my hiding place… It was my escape from abuse.'” Coville keeps a folder of these messages labeled “Look at on Bad Days,” a testament to the profound difference his work has made.
Dubbed the “king of the 90s book fair,” Coville credits scholastic book fairs and clubs for launching his career. “That was how I got out there,” he explains. These events weren’t just sales opportunities; they were gateways for kids to discover his imaginative worlds. The COVID-19 pandemic hit book fairs hard, but they’re rebounding, much like Coville’s enduring stories.
No conversation about Coville is complete without diving into My Teacher Is an Alien, the book that turned him into a household name for young readers. Published 35 years ago, it started as a standalone title born from a packaging deal. “It was the best title I’d ever heard,” he says of the concept handed to him. Drawing from his own childhood rumor that aliens were coming to abduct kids on a specific day (“I call it the Fox News principle—say something over and over, and it starts to feel real”), and his seven years as a teacher, Coville crafted a fish-out-of-water comedy with deeper layers. Influenced by Eleanor Cameron’s Mushroom Planet series, he ended the book on an “unfinished chord,” leaving readers hungry for more. Thousands of letters poured in demanding sequels, leading to a series that sold millions and opened doors for kids’ science fiction. “People thought kids don’t read science fiction until these books sold 2 million copies,” he notes.
The series evolved, incorporating social commentary and philosophy. The fourth book, My Teacher Glows in the Dark, is particularly bold: “It’s possibly the most political and philosophical book published for kids at that point… A secret between me and a million and a half kids.”
Equally impactful is “Am I Blue?”, marking its 30th anniversary this year. Part of an anthology of gay-friendly stories for young people, Coville’s comic fantasy piece was inspired by a Village Voice article about “gay fantasies,” including one where everyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum turns blue for a day. “It would make hiding have to stop,” he explains. The story, featuring a fairy godfather granting “gaydar” to a confused teen, blends humor with revelation: “Oh my gosh, the librarian… she’s perfectly straight. But there’s the grocer—he’s queer as a $3 bill.” Adapted into plays and credited with saving lives, it’s one of Coville’s proudest achievements. “I still have people come up and say, ‘That story saved my life.’ What greater affirmation can you possibly have?”
When aspiring young writers ask for advice, Coville delivers three timeless tips: “Read, read, read, read, read… Write, write, write, write, write… And never give up.” He emphasizes persistence—”boneheaded stubbornness”—and acknowledges luck’s role, quoting a story about Vincente Minnelli: “The harder he works, the luckier he gets.” Coville’s own “Hail Mary” moments include quitting teaching at 30 to write full-time, starting an audiobook company at 50, and penning a sci-fi rock opera at 70. “I’ve been sort of stubborn that way,” he laughs.
At the heart of Coville’s philosophy is the power of stories to foster empathy. “The most important thing in the culture is empathy… The only way I can teach empathy is through story, because you live in somebody else’s shoes.” To hook reluctant readers, he advocates meeting kids where they are—starting with humor, even “bad taste” like fart jokes, to lead into deeper themes. “You make promises at the beginning… They know you’re going to amuse them, and you can get very serious after being funny.”
Looking ahead, Coville shows no signs of slowing down. He’s scripting graphic novels for fan favorites like Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher and Jennifer Murdley’s Toad—a full-circle moment, as his original dream was to write for Marvel Comics. Musical theater remains a passion; he’s written several shows and hopes for more. “I do want to do more with musical theater,” he says.
As we wrapped up, Coville’s enthusiasm for the craft was palpable. In an era where getting kids to read feels like an uphill battle, his message is clear: Stories civilize us, build connections, and change the world. With milestones like these, Bruce Coville isn’t just remembered—he’s timeless. Keep an eye out for what’s next; at this rate, his next Hail Mary might just be around the corner.
