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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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 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

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

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 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/ https://shop.carlemuseum.org/product/ling-tings-lunar-new-year-two-times-lucky-hardcover

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: 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/ https://shop.carlemuseum.org/product/ling-tings-lunar-new-year-two-times-lucky-hardcover

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 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/ https://shop.carlemuseum.org/product/ling-tings-lunar-new-year-two-times-lucky-hardcover

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 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/ https://shop.carlemuseum.org/product/ling-tings-lunar-new-year-two-times-lucky-hardcover