Ground Zero at SXSW

Here in Austin, it's SXSW madness this week. Everywhere you turn, there are badges being flashed, iPhones snapping pictures, and hipsters feigning ennui with Kanye's show confirmation (while secretly PUMPED). We love it terribly.

A few updates from SXSW Ground Zero, from the worlds of publishing, PR, and media:

PUBLISHING

"Publishing has never been in my lifetime in such a powerless state as it is now."

It was the quote that launched a thousand tweets at the SXSW panel "New Think for Old Publishers" on Monday. By now everyone's read GalleyCat's report, and here in Austin, we thought it presented a fine opportunity to open the discussion for the future of publishing. Social media, eBooks, the Kindle, etc. are changing the way those of us in the lit world conceptualize production, distribution, and consumption of books. Take a look at the links, and then tell us: What are your thoughts on the matter? How do you envision the future of publishing?

PR

We caught up with HARO's Peter Shankman at Aces Lounge on Monday, for the Sassy Interactive Party put on by Do512, Action Figure, and VM Foundry. Next time we saw Peter, it was on the interwebs, backed by some rockin' Bon Jovi:



MEDIA

Tomorrow night, we'll be at USA Today's Pop Candy Party at The Belmont. We love Whitney Matheson and we know you do too, so give us a shout if you're headed out there!