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 about the shuttering of the Dial Books for Young Readers imprint, plus layoffs. And they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1. Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

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: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

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 someone's personality, and which show they would go on if they could.

For the Fortune Cookie segment, they run down the Best Picture nominees and their thoughts on the movies they've seen. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

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 talk about their most common margin notes when they edit. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

Follow Carol Hinz: https://www.instagram.com/instachinz/

Follow Andrew Karre: https://www.instagram.com/andrewkarre/

Check out Stand for Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/

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 member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

See info about Grace's new book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": https://linktr.ee/gracelinauthor.

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

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 Month! And they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Fill out our Survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STP3PCF

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1

See info about Grace's book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": https://linktr.ee/gracelinauthor

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast

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). And they end as always with what they're grateful for.

Fill out our Survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STP3PCF

Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

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: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.

See info about Grace's new book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": https://linktr.ee/gracelinauthor.

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

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 some concrete tips--including practicing "bragitude". 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 Grace's new book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": https://linktr.ee/gracelinauthor. Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

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 and/or joy. 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 Grace's new book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": https://linktr.ee/gracelinauthor.

Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

Order Ling & Ting's Lunar New Year: https://shop.carlemuseum.org/product/ling-tings-lunar-new-year-two-times-lucky-hardcover