Into the FOLD: A Books and Lit Fest Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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 Creative Writing and Publishing, a four-year degree that prepares students for a career in both writing and publishing. Visit SheridanCollege.ca for more information.

If you've enjoyed this podcast and would like to support the work of the FOLD, please consider a donating at TheFoldCanada.org/Donate.

Podcast Page: TheFoldCanada.org/IntoTheFold
Website: TheFoldCanada.org
Instagram: @the_fold
Facebook: @FestivalOfLiteraryDiversity
X: @TheFOLD_

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 College’s Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing and Publishing, a four-year degree that prepares students for a career in both writing and publishing. Visit SheridanCollege.ca for more information.

If you've enjoyed this podcast and would like to support the work of the FOLD, please consider a donating at TheFoldCanada.org/Donate.

Podcast Page: TheFoldCanada.org/IntoTheFold
Website: TheFoldCanada.org
Instagram: @the_fold
Facebook: @FestivalOfLiteraryDiversity
X: @TheFOLD_

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 festival passes, visit fold2025.vfairs.comFor in-person festival passes and tickets, visit fold2025.eventbrite.caShop FOLD Apparel: ⁠fold-apparel.myshopify.com/Podcast Page: ⁠TheFoldCanada.org/IntoTheFold⁠Website: ⁠TheFoldCanada.org⁠Instagram: ⁠@the_fold⁠Facebook: ⁠@FestivalOfLiteraryDiversity⁠X: ⁠@TheFOLD_

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 unique opportunities virtual events can present to students and kidlit authors.Ardo's Top Shelf Books:- River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta- Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline- Babel by R.F. Kuang

Shop FOLD Apparel: https://fold-apparel.myshopify.com/Podcast Page: ⁠TheFoldCanada.org/IntoTheFold⁠Website: ⁠TheFoldCanada.org⁠Instagram: ⁠@the_fold⁠Facebook: ⁠@FestivalOfLiteraryDiversity⁠X: ⁠@TheFOLD_

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 Nguyen
• Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie by Jackie Lau
• Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu

Podcast Page: ⁠TheFoldCanada.org/IntoTheFold⁠

Website: ⁠TheFoldCanada.org⁠

Instagram: ⁠@the_fold⁠

Facebook: ⁠@FestivalOfLiteraryDiversity⁠

X: ⁠@TheFOLD_

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 spirit of learning. We may get things wrong or say things out of ignorance, though that is not our intention. We welcome comments and feedback from our Indigenous listeners and hope that we can engage in conversation with grace. Thank you.

Podcast Page: TheFoldCanada.org/IntoTheFold
Website: TheFoldCanada.org
Instagram: @the_fold
Facebook: @FestivalOfLiteraryDiversity
X: @TheFOLD_

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 the FOLD's new Ask Me Anything segment answers questions submitted by listeners about marketing.

1. Now that Twitter is useless where should writers be?
2. How do you come up with social media content?
3. How do I market my book after it's launch period?
4. Should I hire a freelance publicist for my next book?

Jael & Lin's Top 3 Tips for Marketing:

1. Have a high res headshot and bios of varying lengths.
2. Have a website and a way for people to contact you.
3. Develop a system to reuse content from readers.

If you've enjoyed this podcast and would like to support the work of the FOLD, please consider a donating at https://www.thefoldcanada.org/donate.

Podcast Page: https://www.thefoldcanada.org/intothefold

Website: https://www.thefoldcanada.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_fold

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FestivalofLiteraryDiversity

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: ⁠@FestivalOfLiteraryDiversity⁠X: ⁠@TheFOLD_

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 reading community.

About Farah Heron

Farah Heron is a critically acclaimed author of romantic comedies for adults and teens. Her books have been named best book of the year by CBC books, USA Today, and NPR. She writes romantic comedies and young adult romances full of huge South Asian families, delectable food, and most importantly, brown people falling stupidly in love. Her books include Accidentally Engaged, Jana Goes Wild, and A Little Holiday Fling. She lives in Toronto with her family and her cats. (https://farahheron.com/)

Jael, Lin & Farah's Tips for Writing Spicy Scenes:

1. Understand the purpose of your spicy scenes. Do you want to further the plot or character development? Is it only meant to be titillating? Make sure you write to that purpose.

2. Make sure the characters have an emotional bond on the page that correspond to their physical actions. Don't only describe the physical activity, also show what the characters are feeling in the moment.

3. Make sure the writing is good and appropriate for what the purpose of the scene is.

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 consider donating at https://www.thefoldcanada.org/donate.

Podcast Page: https://www.thefoldcanada.org/intothefold

Website: https://www.thefoldcanada.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_fold

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FestivalofLiteraryDiversity

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 Tips for Keeping New Year's Resolutions:

1. Instead of making a resolution intended to last the whole year, set a goal for one month. The shorter time period makes it easier to stick to the resolution and you can re-evaluate after.

2. Don't give up if you don't meet your goal. If you miss a day, just start again the next day. Just keep trying.

3. Make your resolution a mindset or attitude that you want to guide your year. Put it on a sticky note where you'll see it every day.

4. Understand your why. Why is this a goal you want to pursue? Understand the reason behind the goal will help keep you motivated.

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 consider donating at https://www.thefoldcanada.org/donate.

Podcast Page: https://www.thefoldcanada.org/intothefold

Website: https://www.thefoldcanada.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_fold

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FestivalofLiteraryDiversity