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Artwork for Book Friends Forever Podcast

Book Friends Forever Podcast

Alvina and Grace
Children's Book Publishing
Children's Literature
Book Banning
Acquisitions Process
Picture Books
Market Fluctuations
We Need Diverse Books
Longevity In Publishing
Middle Grade Literature
Agents and Submissions
Editing and Revising
Book Publishing
Personality Tests
Auction Process
Illustration
Change
Cynicism
Skepticism
Carl Honors
Publishing Industry

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

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 apply... more

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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 ... more

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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 sal... more

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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 whe... more

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Recent Guests

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!
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!
Jenny Mandel
Executive Director of Premium Proprietary Author Sales and New Markets
Hachette Book Group
Episode: Episode 316: Special Sales with Jenny Mandel!
Padma Venkatraman
Award-winning author of numerous books for young people and an oceanographer
Episode: Episode 312: Freedom to Read with Padma Venkatraman!
Libby Koponen
Children's book author and longtime friend of the hosts
Children's book publishing
Episode: Episode 311: Key qualities for success with Libby Koponen!

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 268 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 States4 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 States5 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
#235
Norway/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Episode 321: Community Building With Debbi Michiko Florence!
Q: Debbi, tell me more. Why are you so great at community building?
Community was your word for the year, so maybe we should talk about why it's so important to you.

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

1. This American Life
2. Fresh Air
3. The Splendid Table: Conversations & Recipes For Curious Cooks & Eaters
4. You May Contribute A Verse
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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. Julie Hedlund
2. Susannah Richards
3. Alison Morris
4. Lianna Izzo
5. Adelia Kalyvas
6. Michele McGonigle DeYoung
7. Jenny Mandel
8. Padma Venkatraman

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