A JCPL librarian interviews published writers about their favorite writing prompts—exercises that can help inspire, focus, and improve your creative writing. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, a novelist, essayist, or poet, you’ll find ideas and advice to motivate you to keep writing. A partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning.
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Books and Bites JCPL librarians bring you book recommendations and discuss the bites and beverages to pair with them.
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The Jessamine County Public Library Radio Theater Club offers members of the community a chance to try out their voice acting skills on a variety of plays written especially for the radio or other audio-only platforms. Anyone can join. Email Les Lehman at llehman@jesspublib.org for details.
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Hybrid Genres: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 92
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On this episode, we discuss books that are hybrids of at least two genres, one of the prompts on the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Jacqueline's favorite romantasy novels are a good example. They combine elements of romance and fantasy. Other books mash up elements of science fiction and horror or, in the case of both Michael's …
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Kaitlyn Hill, who writes young adult romantic comedies, didn't always take those stories seriously, even though she was drawn to them. "It was just really powerful for me to come to the realization that there is so much value in stuff that is fun and light and happy," she says. As Kaitlyn's writing prompt illustrates, she tries to keep fun in her p…
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Books by Authors with Disabilities: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 91
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July is Disability Pride Month! Learn more about the history, experiences, and contributions of the disabled community by reading books by authors with disabilities. On this episode, we also introduce the Summer-Fall Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Teens and adults, from now through December 30, 2024, keep track of books you read or listen t…
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Sandra Gail Lambert, author of My Withered Legs and Other Essays, started writing in her forties. She believes her age helped her cope with the "rough and tumble world" of publishing. "There's so much rejection [in publishing], and there's so much feedback that is not necessarily accurate or kind," Sandra says. "And when we're older, we just have t…
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Books with Maps: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 90
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No matter the genre, when you read a book with a map, you're in for an adventure. This month, we share a YA historical fiction meets fantasy novel; a mystery set in 1920s Bangalore; and a dystopian novel set during a future American Civil War. Don't forget to turn in your bingo sheets for the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge…
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Do you wonder if you have a book inside you? According to Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame member George Ella Lyon, "you have to write to find out." George Ella says writers "have to dwell in uncertainty. Because that's the one thing that's certain, is that you'll be uncertain." George Ella, who writes for all ages in multiple genres, shares the promp…
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Books by Asian American and Pacific Islander Authors: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 89
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Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with books by AAPI authors! It's one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. Our suggestions include an action-packed adventure tale, a YA romance, and a comic but realistic immigration story. Michael's Pick The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Li…
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If you're a writer who works another job to make a living, poet Robin LaMer Rahija has some advice for you. "I think ideas and thoughts and little tiny chunks of motivation come to all of us throughout the day," she says. "Just stop and write them down and save them for later. And get in the habit of not ignoring that impulse toward a creative act.…
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Get Outside with a Good Book: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 88
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On this episode, we discuss books set in or about the outdoors, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. We recommend a memoir by a teenage naturalist and environmental activist; a popular YA dystopian novel; and a horror novel set in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Carrie's Pick Diary of a Young Naturalist i…
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Author and arts administrator JC McPherson is also a trained master electrician who approaches poetry with a troubleshooting mindset. He says that "writing a poem is no different than wiring up a new room, like putting new lights in the outlets. And it's a process." JC often returns to his favorite writing prompt because it "shakes something loose"…
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Books for Women's History Month: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 87
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On this episode, we celebrate Women's History Month with fiction and nonfiction about women's history, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. From a graphic novel about Soviet women fighter pilots to a page-turning book about the evolution of female bodies, we'll show you that there's nothing dull about …
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On this episode, we talk to Tracee de Hahn, author of the Agnes Luthi mystery series and coordinator of the Carnegie Center's Author Academy. Tracee prefers "to think of a prompt as a possibility, but not necessarily a necessity." She's partial to the origin story as a writing prompt because it helps her understand the characters and places she's w…
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In the Mood for Romance: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 86
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On this episode, we discuss romance novels, one of the prompts on the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge. This popular book genre has something for everyone, even the horror fans among us! Jacqueline's Pick Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber is a young adult fantasy novel. Seventeen year old Evangeline had loving par…
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On this episode of Prompt to Page, Sean L. Corbin, the Poetry Gauntlet Coordinator for the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, discusses his belief that "everything is a prompt." "If you sit down to write a poem, you don't just pour it out," he says. "Something had to prompt you to do that." If you've ever enjoyed Mad Libs or LEGO, you might…
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Books You Can Read in One Sitting: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 85
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On this episode, we ring in the New Year with the Winter-Spring 2024 Books & Bites Bingo reading challenge! From now through June 30, 2024, keep track of books you read or listen to by writing the title and author in the matching bingo square. Complete all 25 squares for a chance to win a $100 Joseph-Beth gift card or an Amazon Kindle. You’ll also …
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On this episode of the Prompt to Page writing podcast, we talk to poet and visual artist Jay McCoy, author of The Occupation. Jay discusses his passion for researching his family history and how that research has inspired his recent poetry projects. He also shares two of his favorite writing prompts, including one from Linda Gregg's essay "The Art …
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Books with Magic: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 84
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This month, we discuss books with magic, our final prompt from the 2023 Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks include an anthology of witchy tales; a novel about the magic of sourdough starter, robot arms, and the human who works with both; and a YA fairytale set in contemporary times. If you’re participating in Books & Bites Bingo, do…
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On this episode of the Prompt to Page writing podcast, we talk to Terena Elizabeth Bell, author of Tell Me What You See. Terena discusses why the events of the last few years compelled her to write experimental short fiction, and she offers encouragement to listeners who want to write about current events. “You have to write with your voice, what y…
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Books by Indigenous Authors: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 83
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In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, we discuss books by Indigenous authors, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks are as varied as ever, with a ghost story set in a bookstore, a teen mystery, and, of course, horror! Jacqueline's Pick Firekeeper's Daughter is a young adult mystery by Angeline B…
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For Christopher Rowe, author of The Navigating Fox, writing prompts can help him generate work when he's feeling stuck. In fact, one of his first stories to be widely published, translated into a dozen different languages, and reviewed in The New York Times was based on a writing prompt. Christopher's favorite prompt will challenge you to rethink s…
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Gothic Fiction: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 82
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For October, we discuss Gothic fiction, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Our picks have all the creepy mansions, women in the attic, and brooding characters you could possibly want. Not to mention fungi! Carrie's Pick O Caledonia is a little-known classic that, according to the publisher, “has been compared to the …
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Comic artist, writer, and animator Bryce Oquaye considers mentorship to be "the most important part" of his journey, whether he's receiving feedback from other creators or working with young people. "Because initially," he says, "I made what I made, and I shared it online, and that was helpful. But nothing helped me excel more than connecting with …
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Music and Musicians: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 81
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This month, we discuss books about music or musicians, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. From mixtapes to AI, music memoirs to YA novels, we share our thoughts on both music and books. Michael's Pick Michael recommends The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl. This memoir describes the passion that Gro…
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For New York Times bestselling author David Arnold, reading with intention is a kind of writing prompt. "I think the most important thing about reading a lot is letting yourself become a sponge and soak in the words and soak in the pacing and soak in the stories," he says. "But...occasionally let's look at the mechanics of it, and what is it about …
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Adventure Awaits: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 80
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This month, we discuss adventure stories, one of the prompts on the Books and Bites Bingo Reading Challenge. Choose your own adventure, whether it's with a group of teens on a road trip, on top of Mount Everest, or on a pirate ship! Jacqueline's Pick Jacqueline enjoyed Five Survive by New York Times bestselling author Holly Jackson. Red Kenny is on…
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Ashley Blooms turned to writing prompts as “a way to reconnect” with her writing and “do some creative healing.” She believes that writers can be hard on themselves and prefers to emphasize self-compassion in her writing practice. “I think that creativity grows much better if you are being gentle with it,” she says, “than if you are using shame or …
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Dig Into a Great Book: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 79
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In honor of this year's summer learning theme, Dig In, we're digging into some authors we already know with the Books and Bites Bingo prompt, read another book by an author you love. Carrie's Pick Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, a coming of age story that satirizes Gothic novels. Seventeen year-old Catherine Morland visits Bath with family friends…
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Elizabeth Kilcoyne, author of Wake the Bones, discusses her own complicated relationship to writing prompts. She used to think she was "anti-prompt," but now she appreciates their help with what she calls "the sticky bits of literature." In other words, she continues, "that part of your manuscript that you keep wanting to turn away from and keep wa…
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LGBTQIA+ Authors: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 78
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On this episode, we discuss books by LGBTQIA+ authors, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo. We've got a diverse group of characters and settings for you, including a Splatterpunk novel set in 1990s New Orleans, a Booker Prize-winning novel set in the United Kingdom, and a YA novel set in 1987 El Paso, Texas. Michael's Pick Michael read Exqui…
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For our twentieth episode, author Angela Jackson-Brown, the keynote speaker for the Carnegie Center's upcoming Books in Progress conference, discusses the importance of writing every day. "That doesn't mean sit down every day and write for three hours," she says. "But it does mean every day pick a time and write for 15 minutes. And then if you have…
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Travel the World Through Books: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 77
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On this episode, we discuss books set in or about a place you want to visit, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo. Join us as we travel to Mexico City, Paris, and the English countryside--all with the help of some good books! Jacqueline's Pick If you dream of the City of Light, Jacqueline recommends The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor. T…
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For our nineteenth episode, poet LeTonia Jones shares two writing prompts that will help you write more mindfully. She also discusses her initial reluctance to call herself a poet. “The sooner you claim it, that it is true about you, the better it is for all of us,” she says. “Our words are medicine, and we never know when we have just the medicine…
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Appalachian Reads: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 76
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On this episode, we discuss books set in or about Appalachia, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo. Collection Access Associate John David Hurley, who is from Mount Vernon, Kentucky, joins Michael, Carrie, and Jacqueline to share some favorite books about Appalachia. John David recommends a Books & Bites favorite, Elizabeth Catte’s What You A…
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For our eighteenth episode, we talk to poet Danni Quintos, who shares a writing prompt from cartoonist and graphic novelist Lynda Barry. Danni describes how both drawing and knitting have influenced her writing practice. Danni also talks about finding people who can provide feedback for your work. "Find your readers and cling to them for dear life,…
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Get Lettered with Epistolary Books: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 75
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On this episode, we discuss epistolary books, one of the prompts for Books & Bites Bingo. Epistolary novels are told primarily through letters, but they can also include diaries, emails, instant messages, transcripts, and even post-it notes. Prefer to read nonfiction? Collections of letters count for this prompt, too. Carrie shares some of her favo…
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Prompt to Page is brought to you in partnership with the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. Listen to Episode 17 For our seventeenth episode, we talk to Andrew Shaffer, author of Feel the Bern: A Bernie Sanders Mystery. Andrew describes what it’s like to write fiction about public figures and how studying comedy writing at The Second City h…
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Afrofuturism and Afrofantasy: Books and Bites Podcast, Episode 74
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This month, we discuss the Afrofuturism/Afrofantasy square from Books & Bites Bingo. As Michael pointed out on the podcast, “Afrofuturism and Afrofantasy are sub-genres of science fiction and fantasy that are rooted in African cultures, myth, folklore, and the overall Black experience.” Jacqueline enjoyed Raybearer by Jordon Ifeuko. This debut YA A…
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For our sixteenth episode, we talk to Marcia Thornton Jones, author of more than 135 books for children. Marcia describes her own complicated relationship to writing prompts and how she eventually realized that “every writer writes from prompts.” She explains that “something prompted every one of us to sit down and pour words onto the page. It coul…
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Books About Books: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 73
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We're starting the New Year with a new Books and Bites reading challenge, Books and Bites Bingo! You'll have more prompts to choose from, and more chances to win prizes. Plus, every time you get a bingo, you'll earn a fun, book-themed sticker. Complete a blackout of all the squares, and you'll earn your very own enamel Books and Bites pin! We'll di…
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For our fifteenth episode, we talk to Katerina Stoykova, author of Second Skin and Senior Editor of Accents Publishing. Katerina discusses how she uses her journals to create writing prompts for herself and offers advice for doing so with your own journals. She believes that writers should "learn to write when you don't have time for writing." She …
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Wrap Up Your Reading: Books and Bites podcast, Ep. 72
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If you’re participating in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, it’s time to wrap up your reading! On this episode of the podcast, we discuss the books we read for the twelfth and final prompt, read whatever you want. If you’ve completed ten of the reading challenge prompts, turn your entry forms in at the library or online for a chance to w…
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Listen to Episode 14 For our fourteenth episode, we talk to Ellen Birkett Morris, author of Lost Girls. Ellen shares three writing prompts: a poetry prompt, a fiction prompt, and a food writing prompt. Ellen began writing creatively when she was in her mid-thirties, and she encourages listeners to “embrace your identity as a writer. If you’re writi…
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Satisfy Your Curiosity with Nonfiction: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 71
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On this episode, we discuss the eleventh prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, a nonfiction book about something you’re curious about. We hope we can pique your interest with books about octopuses, Sherlock Holmes, and cults! Book Notes Carrie recommends The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousne…
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For our thirteenth episode, we talk to Sarah Combs, author of Breakfast Served Anytime and The Light Fantastic. Sarah shares her love of writing groups, reading "at whim" and a writing prompt that works for all levels and genres. If you're gearing up for National Novel Writing Month, you may find her prompt especially helpful. "It can be pretty sca…
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Discover Manga: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 70
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On this episode, we discuss the tenth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, read a manga! Manga are comics or graphic novels that began in Japan. Since you read them from right to left instead of left to right, they can be challenging at first. But thanks to the wide variety of subject matter, you should be able to find something yo…
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For our twelfth episode, we talk to Shawn Pryor, author of the graphic novel series Cash and Carrie and a guest at this year’s Comic Surge. Shawn describes the collaborative process of writing graphic novels and shares three of his favorite prompts. He explains how he uses writing prompts both when he’s working on books and when he just wants to ha…
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Celebrate the Freedom to Read: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 69
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On this episode, we celebrate the freedom to read with the ninth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, read a banned or challenged book. Dr. Ron Critchfield, JCPL's Executive Director, joins us to discuss the importance of intellectual freedom, the role of parents in helping their children choose books, the problems with censorship,…
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Short Reads With Novellas: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 68
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On this episode, we discuss the eighth prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, novellas. These short novels of 200 pages or less are just the right size for reading in one sitting or trying something new. We’ve got something for everyone with cozy SciFi, a creature feature, and a dark fairy tale that both teens and adults will enjoy. …
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For our eleventh episode, we talk to Claudia Love Mair, author and coordinator of the Carnegie Center’s Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative. Claudia Love discusses the importance of names in her life and shares a prompt that will make you see your own name—and yourself—in a new way. Claudia Love advises all writers to “stay open. All around you ar…
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An Ocean of Possible Reads: Books and Bites Podcast, Ep. 67
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On this episode, we welcome our new co-host Jacqueline Cooper and discuss the seventh prompt in the Books and Bites 2022 Reading Challenge, books that take place near the ocean. To celebrate our summer learning theme, we have an ocean of possible reads for you, including horror, cozy mystery, and fantasy. Book Notes Michael recommends The Fisherman…
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