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Artwork for Book Friends Forever Podcast

Book Friends Forever Podcast

Alvina and Grace
Children's Literature
Children's Book Publishing
Publishing Industry
Children's Books
Children's Publishing
Book Banning
Hachette Book Group
Social Media
Picture Books
The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon
Longevity In Publishing
Independent Bookstores
Publishing
Acquisitions Process
Bucket Lists
Mental Health
Book Publishing
Indie Bookstore Sales
We Need Diverse Books
Middle Grade Literature

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes300Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for Book Friends Forever Podcast

Latest Episodes

Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where they revisit the topic of gossip and how necessary and powerful it can be. Did you know that couples who gossip together tend to have better relationship satisfaction? Also, gossip is a way to exam... more

Grace and Alvina discuss two topics that are linked--they talk about a recent Happiness Lab podcast episode about the hidden beliefs that shape us. They discuss their own hidden beliefs, both positive and negative, and the seven hidden beliefs that a... more

Grace and Alvina run through some basic terms in publishing, including what a publishing division vs a publishing imprint might mean. They talk about the different departments in a publishing house, including the differences between marketing and pub... more

Grace and Alvina discuss their superpowers! That is, what qualities they possess that they feel most helped them get to where they are today in their careers. For both of them, cultivating connections and communities played a large role. They talk ab... more

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Recent Guests

Michele Kirichanskaya
Guest, author/teacher active in ace representation
Episode: Episode 358: Queer Representation in Children's Literature with Michele Kirichanskaya!
Shaina Birkhead
Associate Executive Director of the Children's Book Council
Children's Book Council
Episode: Episode 335: Children's Book Week with Melissa Thom and Shaina Birkhead!
Stephen Colman
Husband of Grace Lin, guest host for this episode
Independent/Producer
Episode: Episode 341: Reality Television with Stephen Colman!
Carol Hinz
Associate publisher of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books at Lerner Publishing Group
Lerner Publishing Group
Episode: Episode 340: Minnesota Editors with Carol Hinz and Andrew Karre!
Andrew Karre
Senior executive editor at Dutton Books for Young Readers, Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House
Episode: Episode 340: Minnesota Editors with Carol Hinz and Andrew Karre!
Julie Hedlund
Award-winning picture book author and founder of the 12 by 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge.
Episode: Episode 336: Writing Communities with Julie Hedlund!
Susannah Richards
Associate Professor of Education at Eastern Connecticut State University and children's literature expert
Eastern Connecticut State University
Episode: Episode 334: Award Committees with Susannah Richards!
Alison Morris
Children's Literature Specialist
Episode: Episode 333: CHOP SUEY: Amazon's Ask This Book, Current Events and Social Media, Breathing, and Book Recs with Alison Morris!
Lianna Izzo
Manager of supply and demand planning at Hachette Book Group
Hachette Book Group
Episode: Episode 327: Inventory Management with Lianna Izzo!

Hosts

Grace Lin
Award-winning author/illustrator and editor-level contributor in kidlit; co-host with long-standing collaboration with Alvina Ling.
Alvina Ling
Editor and host with deep ties to major publishing houses; known for editorial guidance and industry leadership in kidlit.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 272 ratings
  • Love!

    I adore this podcast from best friends and industry insiders Alvina Ling and Grace Lin. I’ve learned so much about the world of publishing and take regular inspiration from their episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jhedlund
    United Statesa month ago
  • Wonderful and heartening show about the publishing industry and the people within it. 🥰

    Grace and Alvina’s show is like snuggling up in a warm blanket with bookish friends and listening to salient publishing thoughts of the day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LauraGigiL.
    United States7 months ago
  • I look forward to each episode!

    Great conversations and a look behind-the-scenes! I love that Alvina and Grace always end with what they’re grateful for. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DDebrovner
    United States8 months ago
  • Personal and informative!

    I love that Grace and Alvina are good friends from way back, which gives this podcast a real personal feel. At the same time, as veterans of the publishing industry, their content is very enlightening to me as an author/illustrator much earlier on in his career.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stan the Zombie Dad
    United Statesa year ago
  • Made me read more books!

    Discovered this podcast after reading “Chinese Menu” by Grace Lin. Fascinating insights into Children’s book publishing! I have a new-found appreciating for authors publishing diverse books — these books already have a positive impact on my child. The podcast also have tons of book recommendations and I have tried some and loved them, including “Simon sort of says”, “Mexikid” and “Last chance”.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dan Liu & Jun Yin
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Weekly episodes feel like chatting with friends who share strong industry expertise and generous book recommendations.
Listeners praise the show as an insider, warm, and informative window into kidlit publishing.
Audience finds the discussions honest, practical, and deeply supportive of authors and illustrators.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 350: CHOP SUEY: Asian American identities, Book Banning, Birthday Celebrations and Book Recs with Alison Morris!
Q: Alison, what are you grateful for?
Alison expresses gratitude for the supportive community of Asian American KidLit creators and the opportunity to participate in meaningful in-person events like the Asian American Voices Retreat, as well as appreciation for Hawaii and its unique sense of belonging.
Episode 350: CHOP SUEY: Asian American identities, Book Banning, Birthday Celebrations and Book Recs with Alison Morris!
Q: Alison, how do you normally celebrate birthdays? Do you
Alison describes personal approaches to birthday celebration, focusing on intimate gatherings, rituals, and meaningful experiences rather than large parties, plus ideas like sharing time with friends, special meals, or charitable acts.
Episode 358: Queer Representation in Children's Literature with Michele Kirichanskaya!
Q: What drew you to ace representation specifically in your work, and how did the publishing journey unfold for Ace Notes?
Ace representation emerged from a desire to provide accurate, accessible resources for ace readers and allies; the book was pitched to a publisher looking for ace-focused material, then developed over several months with interviews and essays, highlighting the need for more visibility and support for ace authors.
Episode 358: Queer Representation in Children's Literature with Michele Kirichanskaya!
Q: Could you give an overview of the history of queer representation in children's literature and key figures who shaped it?
Early groundwork was laid by editors like Ursula Nordstrom, who supported taboo topics and queer authors; their legacy includes publishing groundbreaking titles and nurturing authors who addressed race, sexuality, and identity in nuanced ways.
Episode 358: Queer Representation in Children's Literature with Michele Kirichanskaya!
Q: How would you describe the current state of Queer Representation in Children's Publishing today?
It's very on-fire, with brave authors fighting censorship and a strong push toward more diverse, inclusive stories across genres, including more ace representation and graphic novels as accessible entry points for readers.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Book Friends Forever Podcast

What is Book Friends Forever Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two longtime friends pull back the curtain on the children's book publishing world, sharing insider perspectives from editorial, authoring, and storytelling. Episodes commonly explore industry trends, publishing decisions, Book Week and literacy initiatives, diverse representation, and the interplay between real-world events and kidlit. Notable ingredients include candid conversations between Grace Lin and Alvina Ling, generous book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes updates about imprints, tours, and publishing culture. The show often blends practical craft guidance with personal anecdotes, making it a go-to for authors, illustrators, editors, librarians, and readers curious about how books for kids come to life. A standout trait is th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Book Friends Forever Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Book Friends Forever Podcast:

1. Pop Culture Happy Hour
2. You May Contribute A Verse
3. The Interview
4. Death, Sex & Money
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Book Friends Forever Podcast are there?

Book Friends Forever Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 300 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Book Friends Forever Podcast?

Recent guests on Book Friends Forever Podcast include:

1. Michele Kirichanskaya
2. Shaina Birkhead
3. Stephen Colman
4. Carol Hinz
5. Andrew Karre
6. Julie Hedlund
7. Susannah Richards
8. Alison Morris

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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