Saturday, October 13, 2012

Diane Muldrow Recap!

What a great couple of days with Golden Books editorial director Diane Muldrow. We started things off with her rave-reviewed picture-book writing workshop. Diane provided workshop attendees with a brand new tool kit, full of tools to help smarten up any existing picture-book text. As both an author and an editor of picture books, Diane's unique take on how to edit a manuscript was well received. One of the texts we worked with was the adorable THE MERRY SHIPWRECK.

If you weren't able to attend, keep your eyes peeled for other SCBWI region event calendars, this workshop is so much fun, we're sure it's going to happen again somewhere soon.

Diane's evening lecture for our October Professional Series Meeting focused on a selection of popular Golden Books illustrators, and how these illustrators' works have stood the test of time. Diane gave the audience tips on how their work could benefit from looking to or emulating these past masters. We also saw what modern Golden Books look like and what subjects are covered, and how our writing or illustrating styles may or may not be appropriate for a Little Golden Book or their trade division. If you'd like to get a taste of what Diane talked about Thursday night, consider reading GOLDEN LEGACY, or the new GOLDEN BOOKS MARY BLAIR TREASURY, both available at Secret Garden Books!

Friday Diane did a number of picture-book manuscript, dummy, and art sample one-on-one consultations for our members. She was really impressed with our region's talent, but we weren't surprised! Though I made the mistake of looking at Facebook while timing the appointments and this picture of Dan Santat and Loren Long screwed up all my timing.


And then Diane got to see a little bit of Seattle, and of course the first stop was one of our famous, fantastic indie bookstores!

If you are in Secret Garden, you'll find Diane's autograph on one of those great bricks!

Diane also got to visit with our Advisory Committee over a lovely dinner, a fine perk for volunteering all year long. Those empty glasses are for apple juice, not margaritas, we swear.

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