Every year, Brown Books Publishing Group attends the Texas Library Association Conference (TLA). With more than 5,000 attendees, TLA is the second-largest library conference in the country—second only to the American Library Association Conference (ALA). As a Texas-based publisher, BBPG enjoys a bit of home-court advantage at this exciting event giving us the opportunity to make a big splash with our spring list and bring authors in from all over the country to showcase their work.
This is one of many examples where the expertise of the Agency at Brown Books really shines. Our PR team coordinates the conference experience from end to end by handling booth setup, swag design, scheduling, and author guidance to deliver full-service publicity support so our authors can focus on connecting with librarians and readers which plays a powerful role in expanding their reach and visibility.
What Is a Library Conference?
A library conference is a major gathering for library professionals. These events feature educational sessions, networking opportunities, and exhibit halls filled with publishers, authors, and organizations showcasing new books, resources, and technology. For publishers, conferences are a chance to introduce new and upcoming titles to librarians and educators who make purchasing decisions for schools and libraries.
Why Should Authors Attend?
No one can promote a book quite like its author. Library conferences give you the opportunity to present your work directly to librarians from across the country.
While signing books at the booth is a highlight, authors should also take time to explore the exhibit hall. Walking the floor, collecting galleys from other publishers, and networking with librarians, educators, and fellow authors can lead to valuable opportunities. Many connections made at conferences grow into school visits, library events, award nominations, or even media coverage.
Simply put, every conversation has the potential to open a door. When attendees meet an author and feel excited about a book, they often carry that enthusiasm back to their communities.
Mastering Your Elevator Pitch
Once you’ve made a connection, it’s important to be ready to talk about your book in a clear and compelling way. That’s where your elevator pitch comes in.
An elevator pitch is a brief, engaging summary of your book that explains what it’s about and why it matters, and it’s usually delivered in about 30 seconds. Librarians attend conferences with limited time and countless books to discover, so being able to communicate your book’s value quickly is essential.
When crafting your pitch, focus on what makes your book unique. Who is the target audience? What themes or topics does it explore? Why would readers connect with it? Most importantly, explain why the book would be a valuable addition to a library collection.
A strong elevator pitch helps librarians quickly understand your book and remember it long after the conference ends. Delivered with confidence and enthusiasm, it can turn a quick introduction into a meaningful professional connection.
What Does a Day at TLA Look Like?
TLA features educational sessions, keynote speakers, and poster presentations, but the heart of the event is the exhibit hall. With more than 200 exhibitors and numerous author signings, it is the central hub for meeting attendees and sharing books.
As a Brown Books author, you would sign books at the BBPG booth. Your signing time and any promotional giveaways are advertised in the School Library Journal/Library Journal conference guide, helping librarians plan their schedules. During your signing, attendees can meet you, ask questions, receive a copy of your book, and get it signed.
Whether you’re connecting with industry professionals, discovering new titles, or simply enjoying the energy of the event, the exhibit hall is where the action happens.
The Importance of Swag
“Swag” refers to branded promotional items tied to your book. These items attract attendees to your signing and help them remember you long after the conference ends.
Throughout the day, attendees proudly display the best swag they’ve collected which turns those items into walking advertisements for your book. Swag can also lead people back to your booth if they missed your signing.
Most importantly, swag lets you get creative. With so many books featured at a conference, having a memorable item helps librarians and educators remember both you and your story. Never underestimate the power of strong conference buzz.
Attending library conferences, book festivals, and other author events offers valuable opportunities to sign books and connect with librarians who introduce stories to their communities every day. These events also allow you to meet readers and fellow authors who can provide feedback and serve as helpful sounding boards. Preparing in advance, networking with purpose, and presenting your book through a clear and engaging elevator pitch help you make the most of each interaction.
Conversations in the exhibit hall, exchanges of promotional materials, and book signings create opportunities to build meaningful relationships and generate enthusiasm for your work. With thoughtful preparation and genuine enthusiasm, a library conference can become a powerful step toward expanding your audience and connecting your book with readers who will appreciate it most.
This is really cool! I love that there are so many great opportunities to help authors share their genuine and unique stories. Libraries are so great! I've discovered so many great books there, and I'm glad to know that new books can get discovered.