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PODCAST

Book Friends Forever Podcast

Alvina and Grace

Children"s book publishing"s secrets are revealed as we listen in on fascinating, unguarded, insider discussion from two uniquely qualified best friends: award-winning author/illustrator Grace Lin, and one of NYC"s top editors, Alvina Ling. Go behind the scenes of kid lit and catch a glimpse of the lives of the best-selling author and editor, and the relationship between them.

arts books

All Episodes

43:23

Episode 335: Children's Book Week with Melissa Thom...

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/04/16

While Alvina is on vacation, Grace is joined by her Bookish State podcast co-host Melissa Thom, and they talk to Associate Executive Director of the Children's Book Council Shaina Birkhead about Children's Book Week. Shaina talks about the CBC and how she started working there, and her history as a life-long reader. She talks about the activities surrounding Children's Book Week and what has changed over the years. They discuss the different themes over the years, and talk about the book week

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44:51

Two Topics: AI book cancellation and Social Media...

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/04/09

Grace and Alvina discuss two recent events. The first is the cancellation of the book SHY GIRL due to allegations that the author used AI to write the book. Grace and Alvina discuss the implications this has on the book publishing industry. They also discuss the recent court ruling that social media was liable for creating an addictive, harmful product. Then, Alvina tells Grace about the book GHOST BOYS by Jewell Parker Rhodes. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click

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50:14

Episode 343: Freak Friday!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/04/03

Grace and Alvina switch places for this Freaky Friday episode! This one was suggested by a listener who provided some questions about what would happen if Grace and Alvina switched places and roles. What kind of editor would Grace be? How would she feel living in New York City and working in an office? What kind of author would Alvina be? How would she like living in a house in Northampton? Their answers may surprise you (or not!). For the Fortune Cookie segment, they talk about the recent news

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45:09

Episode 342: China and Taiwan trip!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/03/27

Grace is back from her China and Taiwan adventure and tells Alvina (and our listeners!) all about it! She shared her highlights and challenges, including bargaining for "bacon jade", and of course talks about all the delicious food she ate. For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about the results of the recent Book Friends Forever survey, including the demographics of who the listeners were. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member:

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45:11

Episode 341: Reality Television with Stephen Colman!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/03/19

While Grace was still away on her trip, Alvina invited her husband Stephen Colman to join her in discussing one of their favorite subjects: Reality Television! They talk about the first reality show they watched, and Alvina shares a story about applying for the Real World! They talk about everything from the Bachelor and Love is Blind to 90 Day Fiance, Amazing Race, and the Osbournes, talk about the difference between competition reality shows and not, discuss what watching reality TV says about

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54:58

Episode 340: Minnesota Editors with Carol Hinz and...

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/03/12

While Grace is away, Alvina has two special guests on the podcast, editors Carol Hinz of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books, and Andrew Karre of Dutton. Both are currently based in Minnesota, and they share their experiences of living there during the ICE occupation. They talk about the incredible ways Minnesotans have responded, what they feel is special about Minnesotans, and give tips on how others can help, and also how to cope during these difficult times. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they

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53:54

Episode 339: Anniversary Q/A Part 2

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/03/06

Grace and Alvina continue answering the questions that had been submitted for their seven-year anniversary, including questions about diverse publishing, book tours, shifting genres, and what is taken into account when acquiring a book, including sales track. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they both share some happy snow memories. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Fill out our Survey (open till March 11)! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STP3PCF Click here to become a Patreon

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47:50

Episode 338 CHOP SUEY: TIK TOK, AGENT QUESTIONS, ...

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/02/26

Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where the discuss various topics, including their decision to delete their TikTok accounts, and what questions you should ask a perspective literary agent--Alvina shares what qualities she looks like when working with an agent, and they talk about how communication is key. They talk about how they prepare for big trips (Grace is heading to China soon!), and then Alison Morris joins to give some book recommendations, including some for Black History

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01:04:13

Episode 337: Seven-Year Anniversary!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/02/20

Grace and Alvina celebrate seven years of this podcast by answering some author, illustrator, and listeners questions. They answer questions ranging from Alvina's imprint, the different levels of editors within a publishing company, AI in publishing, the ups and downs of the market, and more! For the Fortune Cookie segment, in honor of the seven-year anniversary, they share seven Book Friends Forever episodes each that they feel are worth revisiting (and one they don't think is worth revisiting)

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01:06:40

Episode 336: Writing Communities with Julie Hedlund!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/02/13

Grace and Alvina welcome special guest, author Julie Hedlund, to talk about what the 12x12 Challenge is, and they talk about the importance of writing communities and how to create and cultivate them. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they discuss what they've been reading lately, and they end as always with what they're grateful for. Sign up for the 12x12 challenge! Link open till the end of February! https://12x12challenge.com/bff Click here to become a Patreon member:

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01:02:12

Episode 335: Cultivating joy in others' successes!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/02/06

Grace Lin and Alvina Ling talk about some recent news, including the snow storm, the announcements of the ALA Youth Media Awards, and recent events in Minnesota. They do the Fortune Cookie Segment first and list the Newbery, Caldecott, and Printz Award winners and honor books, and Alvina shares the books awarded from LBYR. And then they talk about professional jealousy and how to cultivate pure joy and happiness in other people's successes (sometimes called "freudenfreude" or "mudita"), including

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01:14:59

Episode 334: Award Committees with Susannah Richards!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/01/29

Grace and Alvina welcome special guest Susannah Richards who has served on many different awards committees! Ever wonder what goes on behind closed doors? Susannah gives some insight on what type of discussion might go on. They talk about the role of luck in the choosing of the winners, and potential sales effects of winning an award. They also touch on the definition of talent and if versatility plays a role or not. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they share something that is bringing them hope

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58:38

Episode 333: CHOP SUEY: Amazon's Ask This Book,...

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/01/23

Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode, and Alvina gives a sneak peak to listeners of this podcast about the name of her new imprint! They discuss a new Amazon Ask This Book AI feature. They also discuss what everyone's responsibility (or not) is about posting about current events on social media. For the third segment, they discuss the proper way to breathe. And then, children's literature specialist Alison Morris joins to share some book recommendations. They end as always with what

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52:17

Episode 332: Embracing Discomfort!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/01/16

Grace and Alvina talk about the importance of discomfort, using two Hidden Brain podcast episodes plus Adam Grant's book Hidden Potential as jumping-off points. They discuss times in the past where they've embraced discomfort and have grown from the experience, including public speaking and Karaoke! For the Fortune Cookie segment, they make some resolutions for the podcast, including producing a gift for patrons (finally) and having another happy hour! And they end as always with what they're

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01:03:01

Episode 331: 2026 New Year's Resolutions!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2026/01/09

Grace and Alvina have their first episode of 2026. They sum up 2025 with one word, they share their proposed words of the year for 2026, and then share four resolutions and some aspirations each. They also share something they want to let go of in 2026. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they share some of the favorite things they consumed over the holidays, including books, movies, TV shows, and food! And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member:

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51:54

Episode 330: 2025 Year-End Review!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2025/12/19

Grace and Alvina look back on the year and share their highlights and lowlights, look back at their words of the year, and evaluate how they did on their new year's resolutions. For the Fortune Cookie segment they share their favorite things they consumed all year. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. FYI, they're taking the next two weeks off for the holidays! See you in 2026! Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1. See info about

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53:13

Episode 329: Intelligence vs. Wisdom

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2025/12/12

Grace and Alvina talk about the difference between wisdom as intelligence, as outlined in an episode of the Hidden Brain podcast, and how this applies to current events as well as the publishing world. They talk about the definitions of both, and how intelligence is not an indicator for success. For the Fortune Cookie they talk about the nonprofit organization Inkluded and their efforts to diversify the publishing industry. And then Grace tells Alvina about her book A BIG BED FOR LITTLE SNOW. And

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42:14

Episode 328: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2025/12/04

Grace and Alvina have their annual holiday gift guide episode where they give gift recommendations for the people in your life! The gifts ideas include bread lamps, banned books socks, board games, and more! For the Fortune Cookie they talk about School Library Journal's 21st Century Canon and the lack of inclusion of picture books by women. And they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1. See info about

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48:45

Episode 327: Inventory Management with Lianna Izzo!

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2025/11/26

Grace and Alvina continue their Publishing Curriculum series and welcome special guest Lianna Izzo, to talk about inventory management! They cover everything from what is entailed with evaluating how many books to print, as well as the supply and demand of books, and which departments Lianna works with the most. They talk about the difference between books printed overseas vs domestic printing, and what happens at the end of a book's life. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they share their favorite

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01:05:03

Episode 326: CHOP SUEY: New Imprint, AI and Library...

Book Friends Forever Podcast ·

2025/11/21

Grace Lin and Alvina Ling have an odds and ends episode where they talk about the big news that was recently announced--Alvina is going to be starting a new imprint in the new year! And, the LBYR editorial team is being reorganized. They also talk about how AI is being used by some librarians in Texas to comply with some new book banning laws. And they also talk about traveling alongside literary themes. And then, children's literature specialist Alison Morris joins to share some book

en

326 results

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