Into the FOLD: A Books and Lit Fest Podcast

Now that the 2026 Festival of Literary Diversity has wrapped, Jael and Lin talk about how it went, what were their favourite parts, and an exciting new announcement about FOLD! If you have questions for Jael & Lin, submit them to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠itf@thefoldcanada.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we may answer them in a future episode! If you've enjoyed this podcast and would like to support the work of the FOLD, please...

Author Kern Carter joins Jael and Lin to talk about ghostwriting... what is it, how does it work, how do you get into it, and more! Plus, some pet peeves they have about the publishing industry. About Kern Carter Kern Carter is a novelist who is celebrated for his captivating storytelling. With books such as And Then There Was Us and Boys and Girls Screaming, his stories explore themes of family,...

The 2026 Festival of Literary Diversity is only two weeks away! Jael and Lin talk about what's stressing them out and what events they're most excited for this year. Top Tips for Attending the Festival: 1. Register at festivalofliterarydiversity.org. 2. Log into the online platform to create your own customized schedule. 3. Download the vFairs festival app to experience the festival on the...

The topic authors dread: royalty statements. They can be scary, daunting, and confusing... but they don't have to be. In this episode of Into the FOLD, Jael and Lin are joined by literary agent Carly Watters who breaks down a royalty statement. Learn how to read one, important things to look out for, and when you should raise concerns with your agent or publisher. Plus, Lin throws in some insi...

We are coming up on this year's Canada Reads, Canada's annual battle of the books. Five Canadian celebrities each choose one book by a Canadian author, then duke it out to determine which book all of Canada should read. Jael is a Canada Reads superfan, and in this episode of Into the FOLD, she and Lin dive into what makes Canada Reads so special and why you should be a fan too. Be a part o...

February is the month of romance at FOLD! In this episode, romance author Farah Heron joins Jael and Lin to talk about romance novels and spice levels. FOLD's February Reading Challenge is romance by a queer male author. Read our book recommendations at thefoldcanada.org/readingchallenge2026 . Track your reading on Beanstack! Visit thefoldcanada.org/foldreads to learn how to join our online re...

New Year, New Reading Challenges! Jael and Lin talk about how difficult it can be to make and keep new year resolutions, including reading challenges. But here at FOLD, we want to make reading as easy and enjoyable as possible! Join us on Beanstack where there are multiple reading challenges to meet the needs of every reader. Visit thefoldcanada.org/foldreads to learn more! Jael & Lin's Ti...

Book marketing and the way readers choose new books has changed significantly in the last decade. Social media has created more personalized streams to find new authors, with many book influencers taking a hobby and a love of reading and turning it into a full-fledged business. On today’s episode of Into the FOLD, Jael, Lin and Jessica Rampersad talk about how to break into the exciting but someti...

How many shopping days are left until Christmas? At this time of year, it feels like everyone from big box book stores to indie authors selling books from their living room is promoting a sale. But how do you know which book to choose for your loved ones? And are books even a good gift to give? On today’s episode of Into the FOLD, Jael, Lin, and FOLD’s Kids Program Coordinator Ardo Omer talk about...

Literary festivals are in a crisis moment right now. Funding is drying up, readers are tightening their budgets, and with new festivals and book cons popping up, the money that is still available is being spread thinner than ever. On today’s episode of Into the FOLD, Jael and Lin look at what goes on behind the scenes in planning a literary festival, how to organize and program with longevity in m...

Jael and Lin pit literary festivals against book conventions, with this episode's guest, Melissa Saavedra, founder of Steamy Lit Con. We talk about the difference between literary festivals and book conventions, some of the challenges we face as organizers, and what lessons we can learn from each other. About Melissa Saavedra Melissa Saavedra (she/her) is the founder of Steamy Lit, a romance l...

When the world is on fire, reading sometimes feels like a luxury we can't afford. Jael and Lin can commiserate. They talk about mood reading, giving yourself permission to read what you want, and how authors can use reading to inform their writing. Jael & Lin's Top 3 Tips for Mood Reading: Don't be afraid to DNF if a book isn't working for you. Explore different formats that fi...

Jael and Lin are joined by literary agent CeCe Lyra to talk about writing to market. What is writing to market? Should you do it? How should you do it? About CeCe Lyra Cecilia “CeCe” Lyra is a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates representing a range of fiction and nonfiction authors writing for the adult market. Born and raised bilingual and bicultural in Rio de Janeiro, CeCe is passionate...

Jael and Lin are joined by queer romance author Alli Temple to talk about two popular fandoms: Taylor Swift and the K-pop group Stray Kids. We chat about creating a community of fans, presenting an authentic version of ourselves, and the power of merch. Alli Temple is an indie author with 18 queer fantasy and romance titles published since 2018. She thrives on chaos, feelings, writing on instinct,...

Welcome to Season 2 of Into the FOLD! This season Jael Richardson and Hudson Lin are back with honest conversations about the book and publishing industry. In episode 1, Jael & Lin tackle the truth behind author marketing--authors have to do it themselves. They both share their "welcome to publishing" moments and explore some of the differences between trad and indie publishing. Into...

One month after the 10th annual Festival of Literary Diversity, Jael and Lin reconvene to debrief about how it went. Our favourite moments, some behind the scenes drama, and what we're looking forward to in the future. Shop FOLD Apparel: ⁠https://fold-apparel.myshopify.com/Podcast Page: ⁠thefoldcanada.org/intothefold⁠Website: ⁠thefoldcanada.org⁠Instagram: ⁠@the_fold⁠Facebook: ⁠@FestivalOfLiteraryD...

As we get closer to the 10th annual Festival of Literary Diversity, the FOLD team talks about what we're excited about, what we're nervous about, and how we're managing our mental health. The 2025 Festival of Literary Diversity runs from April 27 - May 4, 2025. Virtual events take place from April 27-30. In-person events take place from May 1-4 in downtown Brampton, ON. For virtual fes...

Episode 5 of Into the FOLD is all about virtual versus in-person events. One silver lining of the global pandemic is the shift into virtual programming, and the FOLD is committed to continuing offering virtual events. Watch this episode to learn why virtual programming is so important to the mission of the FOLD.Ardo Omer, the FOLD's Kids Program Coordinator, joins Jael and Lin to talk about the un...

In episode 4 of Into the FOLD, Jael and Lin dive into finances! Learn about the nitty gritty of financing a literary festival in Canada, including some uncomfortable truths about money. Sam Clarke, the FOLD's Volunteer and Audience Engagement Coordinator, joins Jael and Lin with helpful tips for other arts organizations looking for funding. Sam's Top Shelf Books: Sunshine Nails by Mai Nguy...

Back in November, the FOLD team read 21 Thing You May Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph . This bonus episode of Into the FOLD is our discussion of the book, the thoughts and questions it raised, and how it has added to our understanding of Indigenous relations. As a note, we acknowledge that none of us on the team are Indigenous, and so we've to come to this book and this topic with a sp...

In this episode, Jael and Lin talk about how author are invited to participate in the festival. Special Guest: Amanda Leduc , Author and Disability Rights Advocate. Former Communications Coordinator at the FOLD. Top Shelf Books: A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alisha Elliott Pacifique by Sarah L. Taggart Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado This episode is sponsored by Sheridan Co...

In this inaugural episode of the podcast, Jael and Lin talk about a decade of change--in the publishing industry and in the FOLD. Special guest: Ardo Omer, FOLD's Kids Program Coordinator Top Shelf Books: Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali The Silence of Bones by June Hur The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe This episode is sponsored by Sheridan College’s Honours Bachelor of...