Episode 320: Gift and Specialty Sales with Adelia Kalyvas!
Release Date: 10/09/2025
Episode 347: State of Children’s Book Publishing!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
Alvina and Grace are recording together in Brooklyn! They discuss the overall state of the children's book industry, including an article by Harold Underdown, and talk about the effects of book banning and the drop in the school and library market, and discuss how it's just a tough market overall, sadly. They discuss middle grade books and page counts and how the days of bulking them up to make them look longer are behind us. They also discuss young adult publishing and the term "clean teen." For the Fortune Cookie segment, Alvina talks about the official announcement of her imprint "Alvina...
info_outline
Spain Trip!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
Alvina is back from her vacation to Spain and tells Grace all about the trip! She talks about which city she likes better--Madrid or Barcelona, and highlights of both places. She gives some tips for traveling to Spain and what the must-see spots are in each city. For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about the changes announced at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and the closing of the Roaring Brook imprint. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1. Follow us on YouTube:...
info_outline
Episode 335: Children's Book Week with Melissa Thom and Shaina Birkhead!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
While Alvina is on vacation, Grace is joined by her Bookish State podcast co-host Melissa Thom, and they talk to Associate Executive Director of the Children's Book Council Shaina Birkhead about Children's Book Week. Shaina talks about the CBC and how she started working there, and her history as a life-long reader. She talks about the activities surrounding Children's Book Week and what has changed over the years. They discuss the different themes over the years, and talk about the book week posters. Grace talks more about the poster she illustrated. Find out more about Children's Book Week! ...
info_outline
Episode 334 :Two Topics: AI book cancellation and Social Media addiction!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
Grace and Alvina discuss two recent events. The first is the cancellation of the book SHY GIRL due to allegations that the author used AI to write the book. Grace and Alvina discuss the implications this has on the book publishing industry. They also discuss the recent court ruling that social media was liable for creating an addictive, harmful product. Then, Alvina tells Grace about the book GHOST BOYS by Jewell Parker Rhodes. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: . Follow us on YouTube: ...
info_outline
Episode 343: Freak Friday!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
Grace and Alvina switch places for this Freaky Friday episode! This one was suggested by a listener who provided some questions about what would happen if Grace and Alvina switched places and roles. What kind of editor would Grace be? How would she feel living in New York City and working in an office? What kind of author would Alvina be? How would she like living in a house in Northampton? Their answers may surprise you (or not!). For the Fortune Cookie segment, they talk about the recent news about the shuttering of the Dial Books for Young Readers imprint, plus layoffs. And...
info_outline
Episode 342: China and Taiwan trip!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
Grace is back from her China and Taiwan adventure and tells Alvina (and our listeners!) all about it! She shared her highlights and challenges, including bargaining for "bacon jade", and of course talks about all the delicious food she ate. For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about the results of the recent Book Friends Forever survey, including the demographics of who the listeners were. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: . Follow us on YouTube: Follow us on Instagram:...
info_outline
Episode 341: Reality Television with Stephen Colman!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
While Grace was still away on her trip, Alvina invited her husband Stephen Colman to join her in discussing one of their favorite subjects: Reality Television! They talk about the first reality show they watched, and Alvina shares a story about applying for the Real World! They talk about everything from the Bachelor and Love is Blind to 90 Day Fiance, Amazing Race, and the Osbournes, talk about the difference between competition reality shows and not, discuss what watching reality TV says about someone's personality, and which show they would go on if they could. For the Fortune Cookie...
info_outline
Episode 340: Minnesota Editors with Carol Hinz and Andrew Karre!
Book Friends Forever Podcast
While Grace is away, Alvina has two special guests on the podcast, editors Carol Hinz of Millbrook Press and Carolrhoda Books, and Andrew Karre of Dutton. Both are currently based in Minnesota, and they share their experiences of living there during the ICE occupation. They talk about the incredible ways Minnesotans have responded, what they feel is special about Minnesotans, and give tips on how others can help, and also how to cope during these difficult times. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they talk about their most common margin notes when they edit. And, they end as always with what...
info_outline
Episode 339: Anniversary Q/A Part 2
Book Friends Forever Podcast
Grace and Alvina continue answering the questions that had been submitted for their seven-year anniversary, including questions about diverse publishing, book tours, shifting genres, and what is taken into account when acquiring a book, including sales track. For the Fortune Cookie segment, they both share some happy snow memories. And, they end as always with what they're grateful for. Fill out our Survey (open till March 11)! Click here to become a Patreon member: . See info about Grace's new book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": . Follow us on YouTube: ...
info_outline
Episode 338 CHOP SUEY: TIK TOK, AGENT QUESTIONS, PREPARING FOR TRAVEL AND BOOK RECS WITH ALISON MORRIS.
Book Friends Forever Podcast
Grace and Alvina have an odds and ends episode where the discuss various topics, including their decision to delete their TikTok accounts, and what questions you should ask a perspective literary agent--Alvina shares what qualities she looks like when working with an agent, and they talk about how communication is key. They talk about how they prepare for big trips (Grace is heading to China soon!), and then Alison Morris joins to give some book recommendations, including some for Black History Month! And they end as always with what they're grateful for. Fill out our Survey! Click here to...
info_outlineGrace and Alvina welcome special guest Adelia Kalyvas to talk about her job working in Special Sales, specifically the gift side. You'll learn all about how she got into publishing and what "specialty sales" and "gift sales" entails. They talk about the type of products that work well in the gift market, including mini kits and wrapping paper books, and how they sell to accounts using paper catalogs and gift shows. For the Fortune Cookie segment they talk about their favorite retail stores to shop, and they end as always with what they're grateful for. Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1. See info about Grace's new book "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon": https://linktr.ee/gracelinauthor. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/