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, friendship, and the drama that can fracture those relationships. Kern has built a devoted readership not just for his novels, but for his writing on the intersection between literature and popular culture, both historically and through a contemporary lens. Kern also teaches professional writing at the college level, hosts workshops on craft and storytelling, and is in-demand as a public speaker for his expertise on creative culture. He is based in Toronto. (https://www.kerncarter.com/)

Top Tips for Becoming a Ghostwriter:

1. Don't be afraid if you don't have experience as a ghostwriter. You're already a better writing than most people out there.2. Network and make connections within the industry to find work.3. Understand the business side of ghostwriting and the scope of work you're offering.4. Start working as a developmental editor, which can lead to ghostwriting opportunities.

If you have questions for Jael & Lin, submit them to ⁠⁠⁠⁠itf@thefoldcanada.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we may answer them in a future episode!

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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 go.

4. Join the Festival Reading and Activity Challenge on Beanstack (fold.beanstack.com)

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

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 insights into royalty statements for indie authors.

About Carly Watters

About Carly Watters:Carly Watters is Senior Literary Agent at P.S. Literary and former VP of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents. She began her publishing career in London as an assistant at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency. Carly joined Toronto-based P.S. Literary Agency in 2010 and has sold over 100 books during her career. She represents award-winning and bestselling authors in the adult fiction and non-fiction categories, and select children’s books. The popular writing podcast The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing, for which Carly is the co-host, has over 4 million downloads. She sits on the board of the Ottawa Writers Festival.

Carly, Jael, and Lin's Tips for Reading Royalty Statements: 1. Save and document every contract, statement, etc. that is sent to you. Create a filing system to keep everything organized. 2. Don't assume the royalty statement is correct. Go through the statement with a fine-toothed comb and advocate for yourself if you find something unexpected.3. Take the time and make an effort to learn how to read statements, especially if you're an indie author without an agent to help you interpret what you receive.

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

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 of the Canada Reads fun by joining our Canada Reads reading challenge on Beanstack! Join the challenge, read one of the listed books, and be entered for a chance to win a Kobo Libra eReader! Visit ⁠thefoldcanada.org/foldreads⁠ to learn more.

Jael's Tips for Enjoying Canada Reads:

1. Join FOLD's Canada Reads challenge on Beanstack. Read at least one book (preferably all of them!) so you're familiar with it when watching the show.

2. Block off time in your schedule to watch live. (Airs April 13-16, 10am ET.)

3. Tune into Jael's Instagram Lives after each episode to hear her hot takes. (instagram.com/jaelrichardson)

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

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

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 sometimes intimidating world of social media book influencing, both as a prospective influencer and as an author.

Jess’s Tips for Breaking Into the Book Influencing World:

1. For new influencers, take the time to build a strong first impression. Create content that shows you’re involved in an author’s niche and that your network will be well connected to share relevant posts.
2. As an author, understand your goals before reaching out to influencers and personal assistants. Whether it’s coordinating for a launch or growing your social media following, know what you’re asking for before you start the conversation.
3. For everyone, remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Building a platform and relationships takes time and repetition. Be prepared to put in the work.

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

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 why holiday gift giving can be a joy and a struggle. While they love books, they agree books may not always be the right gift for everyone on your shopping list.

Jael, Lin & Ardo's Gift Giving Suggestions for 2025:Books

• Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin
• One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
• Waiting To Be Arrested At Night by Tahir Hamut Izgil
• You Can Be An Activist by Charlene Rocha and Mary Beth Leatherdale
• Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging by Matthew R. Morris
• Little You by Richard Van Camp
• The Inscrutable Mr. Yang by Lindo Forbes
• Only Mostly Dead by Alli Temple
• Gaysians by Mike Curato
• International editions and translated versions of your dearest reader’s favourite book

Other Gifts

• Bookish clothing and merch (like FOLD Apparel!)
• Gift cards to your favourite indie bookstore
• Tickets or passes to upcoming bookish events
• Donations to charitable organizations supporting literacy and diversity in publishing
• Library passports
• Reading logs

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 a donation at https://www.thefoldcanada.org/donate.

Podcast Page: https://www.thefoldcanada.org/intothefoldWebsite: https://www.thefoldcanada.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_foldFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/FestivalofLiteraryDiversity