Publishing

Tune into live conversations with authors, editors, and literary agents sharing their journeys and expertise in the world of publishing.

Screenwriting

Watch live panels featuring screenwriters as they break down their techniques for crafting compelling scripts and navigating the entertainment industry.

Filmmaking

Discover live streaming events where directors, producers, and cinematographers discuss the creative and technical processes behind their films.

Professional Screenplay Formatting and Structure

August 26, 2026
Timothy Cooper walks you through everything he wishes he’d known when he started: the principles behind why formatting matters, his tried-and-true steps to building your story from logline to outline to script, and exactly what differentiates professional pages from amateur ones.

Book Pipeline

Book Pipeline connects writers to publishers, agents, and the film industry through competitions and workshops, providing hands-on support to bridge the gap between emerging authors and the industry since 2014.

Script Pipeline

Script Pipeline connects writers with producers, agents, and managers, facilitating over $8 million in sales through competitions and ongoing industry support, helping launch major films and secure high-profile representation since 1999.

Film Pipeline

Film Pipeline connects filmmakers and writers with agencies and executives, focusing on diverse storytelling and playing an active role in developing and promoting projects, reviewing thousands of submissions annually since its launch in 2018.

Booking Author Speaking Engagements

Recorded

October 23, 2024

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Subject

Publishing

Topic

Business

You’ve written your book, gotten it published and even done a book tour, congratulations! You are probably noticing that some authors are popping up at conventions, conferences, colleges and at the local library but don’t seem to be talking about their newest book, so what gives?

They have probably been invited by someone like me to speak for a literary event and now a whole new world of literary engagement is unfolding for them. So how do you get on this side quest and find other ways to connect with audiences?

Led by a literary events expert, this workshop will teach you how to:

  • Spotlight on You: Learn how to create visibility around yourself as a speaker by putting together a clear route for engagement from initial contact to speech.
  • Crafting the Perfect Talk: Discover the key elements of an effective title and talk that grabs attention and gets you invited back.
  • Networking Strategies: Tips on how to connect with the right people and expand your speaking opportunities.
  • Overcoming Rejection: Learn how to turn a no into a maybe for a different engagement.
  • Everybody’s Doing It: How to get your literary friends to recommend you when the
  • opportunity arises.
  • Q&A Session: You’ve heard me talk for a while now so let’s hear from you!

By the end of this workshop, you will have a better understanding of different types of speaking gigs, how to connect with the right people, and how to make a great impression at your first or next speaking gig.

What Attendees Have Said ...

"This was lovely. So many generous tips that emerging authors need to hear. Thanks especially for sharing the realities of gig compensation/honorarium rates ... Thank you for putting this together and sharing from your industry experience."

"Ashley Wilkin's class was great and it opened me up to thinking on a larger scale about what I would speak about and how I can get the word out about my debut novel."

"I felt like Ashley's tips were very practical and she really dove into the nitty-gritty about speaking and how to engage once you have been contacted. Great points!"

"I confess to being a Pipeline Symposium aficionado. They are always interesting. And Ashley's calm, informative presentation hammered in some things I can't forget."

Host

Ashley Wilkins has been professionally dedicated to the literary world for the majority of the past decade. Known for her passion for creating inclusive writing spaces and seamlessly blending the creative and practical aspects of literary events, she specializes in writing workshops focused on the business of writing and the best tips on writing from […]

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Upcoming Events

Professional Screenplay Formatting and Structure

August 26, 2026
Timothy Cooper walks you through everything he wishes he’d known when he started: the principles behind why formatting matters, his tried-and-true steps to building your story from logline to outline to script, and exactly what differentiates professional pages from amateur ones.

Substack as a Writer's Swiss Army Knife: How to Build Your Email List & Beyond

September 2, 2026
Substack has evolved from a simple newsletter platform into one of the most powerful tools available to writers. It can help you connect with readers, expand your network, promote your work, test ideas, generate new revenue streams, and build a sustainable creative career—all while maintaining direct ownership of your audience.

Finding the Ritual That Will Get You Writing

September 16, 2026
You write for a few days or even weeks but can’t keep it consistent. You’ve written in the past, fell off the writing-train, and can’t figure out why it’s so darn hard to get back on track. In this symposium, Script Pipeline winning filmmaker and meditation teacher, Erin Cantelo, will guide you through a variety of habit-forming tools to find your own personal ritual to get writing consistently.

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Author Platform Essentials for Writers Who'd Rather Be Writing

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Symposium Community Writing Sprint Night

August 5, 2026
Join us for two hours of writing on Zoom (free), with breaks to discuss our progress and struggles. We'll be using the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of writing, with a 5-minute break). You can choose to have your camera on or off. No judgment! Just a community of writers to support each other. You don't need to participate for a full two hours. Pop in and out, as needed.

Symposium, presented by Pipeline Artists, is a year-round virtual conference empowering creatives with honest, no-nonsense guidance across the arts. Through seminars, industry panels, and Town Hall discussions on screenwriting, filmmaking, publishing, and career-building, Symposium offers grounded advice from working professionals to help you forge your own unique path.

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