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the Book Friends Forever Podcast

Children's book publishing’s secrets are revealed as we listen in on fascinating, unguarded, insider discussion from two uniquely qualified best friends: award-winning author/illustrator Grace Lin, and one of NYC’s top editors, Alvina Ling. Go behind the scenes of kid lit and catch a glimpse of the lives of the best-selling author and editor, and the relationship between them.

Episode #177: How We Prepare for Speeches

Episode #177: How We Prepare for Speeches

Jess Justice

Grace and Alvina talk about how they prepare for speeches, especially in regards to the Zolotow lecture. They were amazed how beautiful Madison is! They loved eating the cheese curds and enjoying the scenery.

Alvina’s walk in Madison!

Alvina talks about her time in Madison and catching up with her friend Libby who came to NY for a visit. Grace talks about her smooth flights to and from Madison. She had good travel charma!

While in Madison, The Book Friends talked about how they prepare for speeches!

  • How they prepare for talks together vs. solo

  • What can we talk about that makes us remarkable?

  • Editing each others parts, timing it, preparing a slideshow

  • Looking for quotes and antidotes

Most memorable speech we have witnessed!

Grace: David Foster Wallace at Kenyon College in 2005. They actually made it into a book! She also liked Matt de la Peña speech at ALA Awards in 2016.

Alvina: 2004 Democratic Convention, remember watching Barack Obama’s speech there. Newbury acceptance speech by Laura Amy Schlitz for Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

Fortune Cookie Segment!: What would you buy for yourself if you won the lottery?

Grace: She would buy cleaners to come clean her house every week. She would also renovate her kitchen and bathroom.

Alvina: She would buy a SMART TV that looks like a picture frame. When the TV is not on, you can put your favorite painting on the walls. She also dreamed of a second home perhaps on Lake Champlain in Vermont.

What are we grateful for?

Grace is grateful for Hazel’s teachers and her school. Her teacher is so kind and really brings the best out of kids. Hazel has found her groove in this class. She has two great friends and a little group which has never had before.

Alvina is grateful the opportunity to share their story together in Madison including all of the listeners like MARY! She’s grateful that her parents watched and posted about it.

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.)

If you’re a patron, don’t forget to check out this week’s Random Questions feed! Authors Kathi Appelt and Grace Lin answer the random question What would your soap opera name be? Click here to listen! If you’re not a patron already, join today!

Episode #178: Financial Realities of Publishing, Plus a Pep Talk!

Episode #178: Financial Realities of Publishing, Plus a Pep Talk!

Episode #176: Chop Suey: Crooked Door, Be Good or Goodish, and Guilty Pleasures

Episode #176: Chop Suey: Crooked Door, Be Good or Goodish, and Guilty Pleasures

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