Episode #242: 5 Year Anniversary!
Grace is back from sabbatical, and she and Alvina celebrate a bit belatedly the five-year anniversary of this podcast! They look back at where they and the publishing industry was five years ago, talk about how the podcast has changed, and where they see things going in another five years.
How have you been?
Grace is back from a sabbatical and feels good about finishing her novel. Most of her travels are done for awhile! It’s been good to be home because Alex and Hazel both had Covid. Alvina is also recovering from being sick. They recently Stephen’s birthday! Holly Black was in town for work at Books of Wonder for hew new book, Prisoner’s Throne! Are Midnight Release Parties coming back?
5 Year Anniversary!
The book friends reflect on where they were when this podcast started five years ago. For Grace, it was when a Big Mooncake for Little Star won the Caldecott Honor! There were so many more school visits back then! Book banning has really taken its toll on school visits with BIPOC authors. Alvina recalls her life five years ago that was before she met Stephen and had a big family reunion. Grace and Alvina also talk about changes in the industry over the last five years. There were many consolidations in the publishing world.
Changes in the Podcast and the future of the podcast
The length has changed, it used to be shorter!
The book friends figured out how to bring Alison Morris on!
Grace does hope that she’s still writing books and publishing in 5 years but it also ready to relax a little bit
Alvina has been editor-in-chief for the past 10 years, she could be either stepping back or up? Unsure!
“Do we see doing the podcast differently?”
Listeners share some comments!
Grace and Alvina update revise their 2024 New Year’s Resolutions.
Gratefuls
Grace is grateful for the comments on her recent social media post about finishing her novel! It was really encouraging. Alvina is grateful to have her voice back!
Other books and media mentioned in this episode:
THANK YOU!
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.)
You can find Alvina @Planetalvina on TikTok and @Alvinaling on Instagram and Threads, @alvinaling on BlueSky
You can find Grace @Pacylin on Instagram and Threads, @authorgracelin on Facebook, @gracelinauthor on TikTok, and @authorgracelin on BlueSky Social!
Please keep tagging and messaging us on social media using the hashtag #bookfriendsforever! OR send us a message on Instagram @bookfriendsforever_podcast! Please let us know if you have any topic ideas!
