Book Friends Forever Podcast

While Alvina is on vacation, Grace welcomes guest co-host, author and poet Laurel Snyder to discuss the differences between a vocation and a job. They talk about some of the challenges of the idea of earning money from writing, and what retirement might look like as a creative. They discuss the definition of "vocation" and how they feel called to writing, and how that differs from writing to earn a living.
They also discuss revisiting the world of their previous books and how they set about writing new books in the same world. Laurel is revisiting the world of her book ORPHAN ISLAND, and Grace is revising the world of WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON.
And they end as always with what they're grateful for. 
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Writing Tips! In honor of author Jane Yolen who has recently passed away, Grace and Alvina share writing tips on how to get unstuck. The advice comes from many different authors, including Jane's daughter Heidi Stemple, as well as Shannon Hale, Renee Watson, Linda Sue Park, Lisa Yee, Jonathan Auxier, and more. Who suggested lying on the floor staring at the ceiling? And who suggested walking for 6 miles? And they share Jane Yolen's famous advice, BIC: Butt In Chair. Just sit down and write. For the Fortune Cookie segment, in honor of the 250-year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Grace and Alvina share their thoughts on what being Americans mean to them, and their thoughts on the U.S.A. in general. 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 and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where they revisit the topic of gossip and how necessary and powerful it can be. Did you know that couples who gossip together tend to have better relationship satisfaction? Also, gossip is a way to examine society's morals.
For the second segment they talk about the song lyrics that have resonated with them over the years. One example for Grace was Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" and one example for Alvina was Alanis Morissette's "You Learn".
Then children's literature specialist Alison Morris joins and the three of them share the best and worse advice they've ever received. Some of the worst advice includes: "You always regret not buying things, but never regret buying things" and "Don't use photo references for your paintings" and some of the best advice includes: "Choose the bigger life," "Make an art of living" and "If it is to be, it is up to me."
And then Alison shares some book recommendations, which included NAVIGATING NIGHT by Julie Leung, illustrated by Angie Kang and Matthew Cordell's 102. And they end as always with what they're grateful for. 
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ollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast
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Grace and Alvina discuss two topics that are linked--they talk about a recent Happiness Lab podcast episode about the hidden beliefs that shape us. They discuss their own hidden beliefs, both positive and negative, and the seven hidden beliefs that author Shawn Achor says to cultivate in order to live a better life. Some of the beliefs include gratititude, connection, believing that your work is meaningful, and believing that there is something greater than oneself.
They also talk about the hidden beliefs of names--how one's name has an impact on how you live your life. For example, Alvina was told that her parents chose her name because it meant "beloved by all" and the kind of pressure that put on her growing up. Grace's name is also a word, but she was more embarrased by how old-fashioned her name was growing up than the meaning of her name. They also talk about the struggle people who have perceived "foreign" names in the US and the disadvantages that has.
And then Alvina tells Grace about the book SONG FOR JUNETEENTH by Zetta Elliot, illustrated by Noa Denmon. And then, they end as they always do 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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Grace and Alvina run through some basic terms in publishing, including what a publishing division vs a publishing imprint might mean. They talk about the different departments in a publishing house, including the differences between marketing and publicity, and some other different titles and departments, including the distinction between Production and Production Editorial. They talk about advances and royalties. and P&Ls, too!
For the Fortune Cookie segment, in honor of graduation season, they talk about what they might give a commencement speech about if ever given the opportunity. 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/