SXSW is a nearly two-week-long conference that features cutting-edge innovations and innovators in technology, film, and music. The conference originated in 1987 and has steadily grown in size and influence over the years, showcasing people and ideas that are revolutionizing everything from entertainment to sustainability to Legos.

Although the conference isn’t explicitly geared toward the book industry, there are several valuable programs and speakers for authors, publishers, and other book industry professionals to check out. Below, we’ve created a list of events that we think will be great learning and collaboration sessions for authors. If nothing else, attending SXSW gives you the chance to network with a group of change makers from around the world.

SX Bookstore

Every year SXSW features the SX Bookstore, a space in the convention center where SXSW authors have book signings and meet with fans. This year, SXSW is featuring a long list of notable authors, including Al Gore, Tim Ferriss, and Guy Kawaski. One of our favorite featured experts is Greenleaf author Byron Reese, who will be signing copies of his new book, Infinite Progress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfCaArxitpM

Shaquille O’Neal

Did you know Shaquille O’Neal was an author? Although this is a fact, we’re actually not recommending this presentation just because of Shaq’s writing prowess. It’s his social media success that has drawn our interest. To date, Shaq has almost seven million followers on Twitter and over three million “likes” on Facebook. And not only does he have an extremely large following, but he also uses social media to engage with followers and offer an authentic representation of his personality and brand. Jack Dorsey, creator of Twitter, has been quoted as saying, “Twitter wouldn't be what it is today without Shaquille O'Neal.”

In addition to his stellar social media following, Shaq also boasts an iPhone app and a YouTube channel with over 6.5 million views, and he is involved in launching a new social media platform called Tout. If you get a chance, go see this master of brand development.  

How Can Brands We Love, Tell Stories We Share?

Google is a company that has maintained consistent branding and a steady public identity while staying at the forefront of innovation and technology. What better company to put together a session that will explore brand storytelling through modern technology?

Aman Govil, a Google product marketing manager, will “show [the] latest experiments in ads, apps, social and mobile” with influential brands. If you’re looking to launch or build an author platform that tells a cohesive, compelling story and utilizes both new and traditional methods of getting the public’s attention, this is the program for you.

Librarian Meet Up

This session will offer attendees the chance to discuss and brainstorm on the importance of libraries, archives, and museums; the goal is for attendees to make lasting connections and implement their ideas outside the conference. If you are a member of the library community—or simply want to help spread awareness of the importance of libraries—join in on the conversation!

Publishing Graphic Novels in the Kickstarter Era

This session is sure to touch on intriguing ideas for writers and publishers, even if they don’t write graphic novels or use Kickstarter. As an author, you’ll benefit from beginning to think about “a lively new landscape of publishing and distribution.” Topics such as fundraising, production, and audience outreach will also be discussed.

E-book Meet Up

This networking session will help attendees take their “publishing ventures to the next level.” Authors, publishers, distributors, and publicists are invited to build ideas, brainstorm, and discuss the pros, cons, and opportunities of the ebook market.

Friends With Benefits: Converting Likes to Sales

Three words: social media strategy. With more people flocking to social media sites, there has been an increased value placed on how many ‘likes’ and follows users can get. While it’s important to have a large number of people paying attention to your content on social media sites (see Shaq), that’s only part of the process of encouraging your audience to buy your book, hire you as a speaker, bring you on as a consultant—or whatever it is you’re trying to do.

While this session will focus on the music industry and converting an artist’s following into album and ticket sales, the principles to be discussed will also apply to building an author platform. The description of the program puts it best: “Being awesome is not enough[;] you have to have a digital strategy that supports converting fans to consumers.”