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.
January 28, 2025

Concept is King: Elevating Story Concepts

What makes a good concept? And how do you make sure you fulfill its promise on the page? In this symposium, veteran screenwriter and teacher Tom Vaughan defines concept and shows how to exploit it your narrative projects. This session will offer a whole new insight in what is meant by commercial viability.

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.

Isabel Sterling

Isabel Sterling (she/they) is a master certified coach, the host of The Author Burnout Cure podcast, and the founder of The Confident Author Academy. Their traditionally published novels include THESE WITCHES DON’T BURN, THIS COVEN WON’T BREAK, and THE COLDEST TOUCH. She lives with her spouse and fur-babies in Central New York, where the winters are frigid, the summers are too hot, and autumn is perfect.

Host of 4 Events

May 23, 2024

The Biggest Lie in Publishing: How to Avoid Pitfalls and Find Success
The grass isn’t actually greener once you sign with an agent. Burnout doesn’t vanish when you get that first book deal. Imposter syndrome doesn’t go away when you hit a bestseller list. In order to get—and stay—published, you need to stop relying on external success for motivation.
February 13, 2024

Storytelling Essentials: How to Write Compelling Backstory
In this workshop, Isabel Sterling (traditionally published author and master certified author coach), walks you through the fundamentals of compelling character backstory. You’ll learn where to look for relevant details, how and when to write backstory scenes, and how to get your character’s backstory on the page without info dumping or using excessive flashbacks.
April 26, 2023

How to Revise Your Novel (Without Wanting to Quit)
Revision is a fact of life for professional writers. Being good at revision, even enjoying revision, makes a huge difference in your writing career. So whether you’re revising a shitty first draft or implementing an editor’s feedback, knowing how to tackle the revision process without wanting to throw the whole novel in the garbage is essential.
February 3, 2022

Query with Confidence
In Query with Confidence, Isabel Sterling breaks down the query process into digestible pieces. You’ll learn how to write an effective query letter, research agents, and hit “send” so you can get back to doing what you really love: writing another book.

Education for creators.

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Upcoming Events

January 28, 2025

Concept is King: Elevating Story Concepts

What makes a good concept? And how do you make sure you fulfill its promise on the page? In this symposium, veteran screenwriter and teacher Tom Vaughan defines concept and shows how to exploit it your narrative projects. This session will offer a whole new insight in what is meant by commercial viability.
February 4, 2025

One-on-One with J.T. Ellison

J.T. Ellison is not only a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, she's also an EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS, and one of the most generous professional writers in the industry. As always, our Symposium one-on-one conversations are a community event. While Jeanne Veillette Bowerman and J.T. converse, your questions will be addressed, too!
February 11, 2025

A Crash Course in Novel Writing

Your story matters, and "someday" is not the time to write it. If something has been holding you back from writing your novel—whether it be lack of time, lack of motivation, lack of knowing how to write it, or just plain fear—then Grant Faulkner, former Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month, can help you get your creative juices flowing and take the first steps to planning your novel.

Latest Streaming

January 15, 2025

Troubled Waters: Navigating the Agent/Author Relationship

Agent Stacey Graham from 3 Seas Literary Agency will share how to recognize the signs of when your agent/author relationship may be headed for the rocks, what to try to right the ship, and when it's time to head for the lifeboat in this fast-paced presentation. 
January 7, 2025

The State of Hollywood: A 2025 Primer for Film & TV Writers

Screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup brings a new Symposium, exclusively for film and TV writers—both new/emerging and semi-established—focusing on the current state of the industry, the hard truths rarely discussed (yet every writer has to confront), and exploring all that is required to move your writing—and your career—forward.
November 19, 2024

Christmas for Cable: Writing Cable Network Films

Writing for cable networks such as Hallmark, Lifetime, or UpTV is specialty writing. Same with any of the streaming services looking for a “Hallmark” type of Christmas film—and they all are. They each have their specific brand. For their specific audiences. They have guidelines you have to write to. This class will lay those out […]

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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