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10 Questions to Figure Out What Your Memoir is REALLY About

March 11, 2026
Memoir is a deeply challenging genre for any writer seeking to parlay real-life events into a story that connects with total strangers. One big challenge at the outset is figuring out the “container” for your book: Where to begin, where to end, what to include, what to exclude, and how to tell a compelling story about your transformational journey.

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.

The Book Skeleton Workshop: How to Structure Your Story Before Writing a Single Word

Recorded

April 30, 2025

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Subject

Publishing

Topic

Craft

Strong bones create strong stories. Build your Book Skeleton—and bring your story to life.

Most writers get stuck not because they lack talent—but because they lack structure.
Without a clear framework, even the best ideas collapse under the weight of confusion, doubt, and endless rewrites.

In The Book Skeleton, bestselling author and book coach Rea Frey will guide you through building the invisible structure that every strong book needs. Before you write a single word, you’ll design the "bones" of your story—giving you a clear, flexible blueprint to move forward with confidence, momentum, and creative flow.

This is not another overwhelming outline session. This is about creating a living, breathing skeleton that holds up your story’s spine, heart, ribs, and limbs—so you can finally start writing without fear or guesswork.

In this session, you'll learn:

  • The 5 essential bones every book must have
  • How to create a simple Movement Map for your story
  • How to design chapters that feel purposeful, dynamic, and necessary
  • How to stop second-guessing yourself and write with real clarity
  • How to start strong and keep going—without losing your voice

You'll Leave With:

  • A complete Book Skeleton template for your current project
  • A Movement Map for your story’s beginning, middle, and end
  • A Chapter Blueprint you can use again and again
  • Your first 1,000 words written (or ready to flow!)
  • A new sense of possibility—and proof that you already know how to begin

This workshop is for you if:

  • You have a story idea but don't know how to start
  • You've started writing—and gotten stuck
  • You want to create a full book without losing creative energy
  • You crave structure, but hate rigid outlines
  • You’re ready to finally move from dreaming to doing

What attendees have said ...

Rea Frey presented a terrific method for structuring a novel that allows room for movement and change. Unlike so many speakers, she's traditionally published and knows what she's talking about. I highly recommend this course. - Lucy Sanna, author THE CHERRY HARVEST (William Morrow)

She was very knowledgeable and clear.  Loved her approach and hand-outs. 

Easy to follow. Plenty of examples. The framework reminded me of some instructional design aspects, which was an aha moment as something I’ve been chewing on came together.

Host

Rea Frey
Rea Frey is the #1 bestselling author of a dozen books. As a book doula, she has helped nearly a thousand first-time authors land agents and publishing deals. A Silver Falchion finalist, Book Pipeline’s Film Adaptation Winner, Target's Book of the Year Finalist, and voted one of Marie Claire’s Best fiction writers, Rea's work has been […]

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Upcoming Events

10 Questions to Figure Out What Your Memoir is REALLY About

March 11, 2026
Memoir is a deeply challenging genre for any writer seeking to parlay real-life events into a story that connects with total strangers. One big challenge at the outset is figuring out the “container” for your book: Where to begin, where to end, what to include, what to exclude, and how to tell a compelling story about your transformational journey.

Better Your Chances of Getting an Agent, Manager or Mentor

March 18, 2026
We all know the struggle. It feels harder than ever before to find an agent, or even a mentor to help with a little advice or guidance. This session will give you that insight and those tools. It'll be equal parts irreverent, fun, and really useful. Packed with practical things you can do to differentiate yourself from the masses, and make yourself more of an undeniable catch.

Proven Framework for Successful Collaboration

March 25, 2026
In this candid, craft-focused session, authors Lauren Nossett and Rea Frey share what they have learned from co-writing together, from early brainstorming sessions to managing deadlines and dividing responsibilities. Attendees will walk away with a practical, step-by-step framework for successful collaboration.

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Directing Actors: Practical Tools for Writers and Emerging Directors 

March 4, 2026
Improve your writing with deeper insights into the filmmaking process. Directing actors is often viewed as something that happens only after a script is finished and production begins—but understanding the actor process can dramatically improve storytelling long before cameras roll. In this educational session, writer and director Anthony DiBlasi breaks down the fundamentals of working with actors in a way that is accessible to writers, emerging directors, and storytellers at any stage of their career.

Logline Workshop

February 25, 2026
You may have been banging your head against the wall trying to construct a great logline, but you’re frustrated you can’t quite hit the mark. Merridith with teach the components execs want to see in a logline, and provide tons of insights. You’ll leave with the tools you need to whip them into shape.

The Art of Pitching

February 18, 2026
Angela Douglas will break down what pitching really is, why it matters, and how to craft a clear, compelling hook that works whether you’re drafting your first novel or preparing for a major pitch event. You’ll learn the core elements of effective pitching, the different types of pitches you’ll encounter online and in person, and how to make the most of the elevator pitch and the typical three minutes you’ll get to sell yourself and your manuscript.

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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