Grace and Alvina discuss award season and how they keep things in perspective both in their professional and personal lives.

The Book Friends are doing an episode dedicated to the memory of those authors and illustrators we lost this year. They would love to hear your memories of these authors and how they touched your life in some way or another. On the bookfriendsforever.com menu, click “Record your author/Illustrator Tribute” and record your memories through Speakpipe. Some of the authors and illustrators we lost: Jerry Pinkney, Tomie DePaola, Beverley Cleary, Lois Ehlert, Eric Carle, Patricia Reilly Giff, Floyd Cooper, and Gary Paulsen. Thank you for your memories!

How have you been?

Grace has been struggling with her work-life balance lately. It seems like there is never a full week of school for her daughter and she just can’t seem to find adequate creative work time.

Alvina watched the NYC Marathon which is always a fun event and cheered some friends and co-workers on. The race inspired her to sign up for a 1/2 marathon!

Exciting editorial news!

Alvina has been awarded the Medal for Editorial Excellence by the Center for Fiction! Grace will be presenting her the award at the December 7th Annual Awards Benefit and 200th Anniversary Celebration. She’s surprised, honored, and excited to receive this prestigious award! On the topic of awards, Grace and Alvina wanted to discuss how they keep everything in perspective during award season. The book friends share their tips on how to keep your hopes high but also handle any disappointments. Instead of it all being so stressful, Grace would like to look back on it and say “well, that was a fun ride.” She now tries to stay positive, be open about admitting her dreams of winning an award, and embracing the end result no matter what.

Alvina reminds everyone that it is never a sure thing. You never know. As an editor though, she doesn’t always have all her hopes pinned to one book. “All we can do is help our creators create the best books they can. Some win awards and some don’t.”

How do you view deadlines? Great question that the Book Friends ask each other. Grace talks about her take on deadlines and how her thoughts changed about them. She focuses more on the work of her art rather than trying to get it done by the deadline. Alvina speaks from an editor’s point of view about the importance of a deadline in terms of contracts and legal aspects.

How do you handle getting bad news? Staying calm, never being blindsided, keeping things in perspective: some really wonderful things can come from some really bad news.

What we are obsessed with right now:

Alvina is consumed with trying to find a sequins dress for the awards gala on December 7th! She’s also watching a Netflix reality show called “Circle”. Grace is trying to find a sophisticated ensemble for the dinner as well! She thought about her mom’s pearl necklace but has been re-considering finding some alternative fancy jewelry.

Gratefuls:

Alvina is grateful to the Center of Fiction for winning the award. She’s grateful for all of the nominations. Grace is grateful for the successful school virtual visits she has had lately and also the few precious years that Hazel actually wants to hang out with her and do things together.

Other books and media mentioned in this episode:

*If you’re a patron, don’t forget to check out this week’s Random Questions feed! Authors Molly Burnham and Grace Lin answer the random question: You are a burgler but you only steal things that inconvenience people. What are the things you steal? Click here to listen! If you’re not a patron already, join today!

Thank you for tuning in! Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and Alex at Pacyworks Studio for producing and editing this podcast. Be sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and tell a friend about us. (Use the hashtag #bookfriendsforever.)