Book Friends Forever Podcast

Alvina and Grace are recording together in Brooklyn! They discuss the overall state of the children's book industry, including an article by Harold Underdown, and talk about the effects of book banning and the drop in the school and library market, and discuss how it's just a tough market overall, sadly. They discuss middle grade books and page counts and how the days of bulking them up to make them look longer are behind us. They also discuss young adult publishing and the term "clean teen."
For the Fortune Cookie segment, Alvina talks about the official announcement of her imprint "Alvina Ling Books" and logo reveal, and the great reception it received. And she also talks about what happened when they tried to secure the url AlvinaLingBooks.com. And they end as always with what they're grateful for. 
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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 in each city.
For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about the changes announced at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and the closing of the Roaring Brook imprint. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. 
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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 how she started working there, and her history as a life-long reader. She talks about the activities surrounding Children's Book Week and what has changed over the years. They discuss the different themes over the years, and talk about the book week posters. Grace talks more about the poster she illustrated.
Find out more about Children's Book Week! https://everychildareader.net/cbw/celebrate-2026/
Find out more about the Bookist State: https://www.thebookishstate.com/
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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 discuss the recent court ruling that social media was liable for creating an addictive, harmful product.
 
Then, Alvina tells Grace about the book GHOST BOYS by Jewell Parker Rhodes. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for.
 
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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   
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