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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 #244: Middle Grade and Market Fluctuations

Episode #244: Middle Grade and Market Fluctuations

Jess Justice

Welcome back! Grace and Alvina talk about the slumping middle grade market and talk about how the market always fluctuates overall.

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How have you been?

Grace’s author groups are declining and she’s wondering if this is the end. It is so hard to get schedules to line up now that we’re not in a pandemic shut-down. Grace finally made an appointment with a lawyer for her will! That is a little sobering. On the brighter side, Hazel made her Girl Scout cookie goal! Grace was thrilled to do an online @smithsonian event with the Lisa Ling the other night. This was her last specific event for “Chinese Menu” so the promotional launch of the book is officially over. Alvina was well enough to do karaoke on Monday! This past weekend, Alvina had a quiet and restorative weekend. She also attended a pre-pub event for Samira Ahmed’s new book, This Book Won’t Burn.

What is going on with Middle Grade?

There has been talk of how terrible the middle grade market is. Grace and Alvina discuss the fluctuation. What has Grace been hearing? Remember that picture books have come back so things do fluctuate. There seems to be trouble in selling middle grade. Alvina mentions noticing this since 2021. What can authors do at this point? The book friends discuss the middle grade market before and after the pandemic.

Fortune Cookie Segment: Playing the “Happiness Game!”

For a little pick-me-up, Grace thought playing this game would be a great idea today. The game came from Gretchen Rubin’s “Happiness Project” podcast.

Gratefuls

Alvina is very grateful to finally be healthy again. Grace is grateful for Moshi Donut’s in Northampton and Trader Joe’s egg tarts!

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 Twitter and 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 email us at bookfriendsforever@gmail.com! Please let us know if you have any topic ideas!

Episode #243: Chop Suey: Hugo Award Controversy, Author's Equity, and Double Standards

Episode #243: Chop Suey: Hugo Award Controversy, Author's Equity, and Double Standards

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