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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
Social Media
Picture Books
The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon
Hachette Book Group
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
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooks

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Artwork for Book Friends Forever Podcast

Latest Episodes

Alvina is back from her vacation to Spain and tells Grace all about the trip! She talks about which city she likes better--Madrid or Barcelona, and highlights of both places. She gives some tips for traveling to Spain and what the must-see spots are ... more

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 ho... more

YouTube

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... more

YouTube

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 f... more

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Recent Guests

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!
Lianna Izzo
Manager of supply and demand planning at Hachette Book Group
Hachette Book Group
Episode: Episode 327: Inventory Management with Lianna Izzo!
Adelia Kalyvas
Executive Director of Gift and Specialty Retail Sales at Hachette Book Group
Hachette Book Group
Episode: Episode 320: Gift and Specialty Sales with Adelia Kalyvas!
Michele McGonigle DeYoung
Parent, Family, and Relationship Coach, and Parenting Educator
Family Tree Harmony
Episode: Episode 317: Pivoting and Family with Michele McGonigle DeYoung!

Hosts

Grace Lin
Co-host of the show; award-winning author/illustrator; notable for deep industry insight and creative work in children's literature
Alvina Ling
Co-host of the show; editor at a children's publishing company; widely experienced in book editing and publishing

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 270 ratings
  • 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 States5 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 States6 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
  • Generous approach

    I love that when I listen to Alvina and Grace, I feel like I am right there with them talking shop. I get to keep up with what’s going on in the industry while making art on my own books. Their approach is so down to earth and generous. I am grateful for all the knowledge they share and for the community they provide. I particularly enjoyed the recent episode on FOMO and envy.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    B is for Brooklynite
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Good mix of industry insights and book recommendations; very welcoming to newcomers.
A behind-the-scenes look that still feels like a chat with friends.
Hosts are warm, generous, and insightful about publishing dynamics.
High-quality conversations with thoughtful guests and practical guidance for authors and editors.
Grace and Alvina's friendship shines through, making industry talk approachable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#129
Netherlands/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 335: Children's Book Week with Melissa Thom and Shaina Birkhead!
Q: What is your favorite part of Children's Book Week?
The sense of stewardship over the program and the core idea that kids should have a genuine choice in what they read, which librarians and teachers can then celebrate and support through meaningful reading experiences.
Episode 339: Anniversary Q/A Part 2
Q: How do you know when an author should stretch into a new format or genre?
Pivot tends to come from genuine curiosity and market signals aligning with the author's creativity and career needs; a shift should feel authentic rather than trend-driven and is more likely to succeed when sales expectations align with creative interests.
Episode 339: Anniversary Q/A Part 2
Q: Do the economics of a book tour pay off in book sales?
Tours can be profitable for established or high-demand titles but are often a gamble and not guaranteed to pay off, leading publishers to choose tour participation based on audience potential and anticipated pre-orders.
Episode 339: Anniversary Q/A Part 2
Q: What do DEI discussions look like one year into the second Trump administration?
Editors describe maintaining DEI initiatives while noting a dip in diverse submissions and acquisitions; they emphasize intentional, ongoing efforts to publish authors of color and LGBTQIA authors, with some successful acquisitions among that group.
Episode 321: Community Building With Debbi Michiko Florence!
Q: What are the best ways you've found to build and sustain community?
Building community means putting yourself out there and being willing to invest in relationships, even if it's hard for introverts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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 children's book publishing, blending industry insights with personal stories about touring, book design, and editorial decisions. Episodes across recent years emphasize DEI in publishing, trends in author/illustrator careers, and practical guidance for creating, editing, and marketing kid-lit. The show stands out for its warm, candid banter, strong guest lineup from editors to authors, and a collaborative, community-driven approach to storytelling and publishing decisions. It's a good fit for listeners who want insider perspectives, book recommendations, and a sense of the human side of the industry.

Potential listeners should note the show's consistent focus on publishing dynamics, author/illu... 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. You May Contribute A Verse
2. SCBWI Podcasts
3. Writers With Wrinkles
4. This Creative Life
5. THE BOOKISH STATE

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. Shaina Birkhead
2. Stephen Colman
3. Carol Hinz
4. Andrew Karre
5. Julie Hedlund
6. Susannah Richards
7. Lianna Izzo
8. Adelia Kalyvas

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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