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.

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 and logline 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.

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.

Ashley Wilkins

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 established authors to emerging authors.

At the Piper Center for Creative Writing, where she spent three transformative years, Ashley revitalized the Visiting Writers Series by introducing distinct literary themes, including a young adult series and a literary icon series which was notably launched by a visit from legendary children’s horror author R.L. Stine. She also built out a more robust line up for the yearly Desert Nights, Rising Stars conference expanding the workshops to include romance, mystery and fantasy leading to the conference making money for the first time since its inception. Her efforts in developing targeted partnerships and expanding their audience were pivotal in enhancing the center's reach and impact, even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ashley’s work extends beyond institutional settings. Her involvement coordinating author and writer tracks at conventions like DragonCon and Phoenix Fan Fusion showcases her commitment to nurturing the next generation of writers. Working alongside established authors, she assists with a range of writing workshops, helping aspiring writers develop their craft.

Ashley’s personal love for fantasy and horror genres fuels her professional endeavors. When she’s not working, you can find her catching up on her reading pile, adding to her pulp collection, or slowly getting back into lifting. Her enthusiasm for novels, comics, and graphic novels not only inspires her work but also connects her with a broader community of literary enthusiasts.

Host of 1 Event

Booking Author Speaking Engagements

October 23, 2024
Literary events expert Ashley Wilkins champions authors to get 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.

Education for creators.

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Upcoming Events

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 and logline 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.

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.

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. As Mary Karr observes, “a fiction writer starts with meaning and then manufactures events to represent it; a memoirist starts with events, then derives meaning from them.” Deriving meaning is a lengthy, complex […]

Latest Streaming

Polish Like a Pro: Self-Editing Strategies for Aspiring Authors

February 4, 2026
Join Sara Wigal, Director & Associate Professor of Publishing at Belmont University (a literary agent herself) for a hands-on, two-hour symposium designed specifically for aspiring professional writers who want to sharpen their self-editing skills.

Book Idea Workshop: Critical Steps to Examining 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.

Finish Your Project This Year

January 21, 2026
This year you CAN finish your project. If you have a plan. Explore what it means to finish a project, how to create structures that create forward progress, common obstacles that slow writers down, creative solutions to the ever-present challenge of finding time and space in this busy world, and what relationships are essential to getting to the finish line.

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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