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Book Idea Workshop: Critical Steps to Elevating an Idea

January 28, 2026
Amy Goldmacher will take you through an interactive process that will get you clear on your book idea so you can write it (or the proposal for it). Whether you're writing fiction, nonfiction, or memoir, Amy's strategies will give you the confidence you need to start writing.

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.

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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.

From Draft to Deal: What REALLY Happens After You Finish Your Book

Recorded

July 15, 2025

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Subject

Publishing

Topics

Business, Craft

You typed “The End”… now what?

Finishing your book is huge—but what comes next is what separates a finished manuscript from a published one. In this real-talk symposium, bestselling author and book coach Rea Frey takes you behind the curtain of what actually happens after you finish your draft—and why the real work (and magic) starts after the final page.

We’ll cover:

  • Why the “now what?” feeling is totally normal—and what to do with it
  • How to revise your book like a pro (hint: you’re not ready to query yet)
  • What literary agents really do—and how to get their attention
  • Realistic timelines from draft to deal to bookshelf (think years, not weeks)
  • What happens when you do get the book deal: contracts, royalty math, and red flags to watch for
  • How to ask the right questions up front about your publishing team—so you’re not caught off guard by what’s on you to handle
  • Why marketing starts before your book comes out—and how to make a plan you’ll actually stick to

You’ll walk away with:

  • A “Ready to Query?” checklist
  • A sample query letter that sells
  • A publishing timeline breakdown
  • A 3-month book launch marketing plan to build early buzz and long-tail sales

Perfect for:
Writers with a finished (or almost finished) manuscript, querying authors, and anyone stuck in the “what now?” limbo after typing The End.

What attendees have said ...

I thoroughly enjoyed the insightful journey into the intricacies of navigating the publishing world post-manuscript. Rea Frey's expertise shone through as she demystified the process, offering practical advice and real-world examples that were both inspiring and invaluable.

What I loved most was Rea's ability to blend her personal experiences with concrete strategies, making complex topics accessible and engaging. It was refreshing to gain a deeper understanding of what truly happens behind the scenes once the manuscript is complete.

It was incredibly informative. This went above and beyond. She was Great!

it was well done, comprehensive. I can't think of anything that was left out.

Host

Rea Frey
Rea Frey is the #1 bestselling, award-winning author of several women's fiction, suspense, and thriller novels. She is a Silver Falchion Award Finalist, was Target's Book of the Year finalist, was voted Chicago Reader's Best Nonfiction Writer, and was Book Pipeline's 2022 Film Adaptation winner. In addition to being an author, her work as a book […]

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Upcoming Events

Book Idea Workshop: Critical Steps to Elevating an Idea

January 28, 2026
Amy Goldmacher will take you through an interactive process that will get you clear on your book idea so you can write it (or the proposal for it). Whether you're writing fiction, nonfiction, or memoir, Amy's strategies will give you the confidence you need to start writing.

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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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