Episode #269:CHOP SUEY: Internet Archive, self publishing after a bestseller, and screen adaptations
Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where they're joined by Children's Literature Specialist Alison Morris to catch up with each other's lives and see what her life has been like since leaving First Book! Alvina and Grace discuss the Court of Appeals ruling on Hachette vs Internet Archive, and a recent essay about a bestselling author self publishing. Then Allison rejoins them and they all share their favorite book to screen adaptations, and then Alison shares some book recommendations.
How have you been?
Alison Morris talks about her 6 weeks in the non-working world. She’s been adapting to less structure and enjoys being able to exercise more. Alison is navigating the shedding of the past, defining her life now, and working on going towards the future. Grace spent time in Cleveland at their Moon Festival. Grace has been workin on illustrations and she’s now in Maine for a writer’s retreat. Alvina has been training for a half-marathon. Alvina’s friend, Donna Frietas who wrote This Gorgeous Game, had music students who wanted to make a musical of the book. Alvina went with other family and friends to watch the adaptation. The book friends discuss what they would love to see more adaptations of.
Internet Archive
Hachette v. Internet Archive was brought by book publishers objecting to the archive’s digital lending library.
Alvina is getting most of her information on this topic from a WIRED.com article. You can read it here. Grace and Alvina share their thoughts on this conflicted nature of the court ruling.
Self-Publishing and Success
Grace talks about an essay from Cynthia Swanson who published her first book in 2015. Do you ever really “make it” as an author? It is a solid reminder that you’re not climbing a ladder. The life of an author is a rollercoaster. Alvian had dinner with Peter Brown (author of the The Wild Robot that became a movie!) and were asking him if this was the pinnacle of his career. Nobody really knows!
Favorite Books and Adaptations
The book friends and Alison Morris share their favorite adaptations.
Alvina: “Stand By Me”, “Little Women”, “Clueless”
Grace: “The Princess Bride”, “Anne of Green Gables”
Alison: “The Arrival”, “Lockwood & Co”, “Dash and Lilly”
Book Recommendations
Alison’s friend wrote a book called, “Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: Lessons on Belonging from Our DNA” by Shoumita Dasgupta
“Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice “ (Newbery Honor Book; National Book Award Winner) by Phillip Hoose.
Alison visited the non-profit, I’m Your Neighbor Books in Portland, Maine. It is directed by Kirsten Cappy. Kirtsten has a new picture book called '“Kende! Kende! Kende!”
Alison also visited the Ashley Bryan Center and also visited with Jacqueline Davies who wrote “The Lemonade War” and talked about her latest book, “The International House of Dereliction”.
Gratefuls
Alvina is grateful for her healthy body at the the moment and for Grace’s moon cookies that she sent. Alison is grateful that she has limited her screen time. Grace is grateful for her family and celebrating the Moon Festival together and that they always have each other’s back.
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!
Alison Morris is @AlisonLMorris on Twitter and @kidlitgirl on Instagram
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