Pilkington is the author of two books: Mirage Men (2010), which explored the US Intelligence Agency’s UFO/Cold War conspiracy and was made into a feature film, and Far Out: 101 Strange Tales from Science's Outer Edge (2007), a collection of science articles originally written for The Guardian.

He heads London-based Strange Attractor Press together with John Lundberg, in operation for over a decade with a self-declared mission to celebrate unpopular culture (/global subculture). He also served as the editor for its Strange Attractor Journal, an anthology of writing on neglected and esoteric cultural, historical, and anthropological themes. Other books published by the press include Medical London by Richard Barnett and Mike Jay, Welcome to Mars by Ken Hollings, Austin Osman Spare by Phil Baker, and The Field Guide by Rob Irving and John Lundberg. Strange Attractor also produces events and workshops in various creative fields.

Pilkington has also played electronics and synthesisers with improvisational and experimental musical groups, including Rucksack, Raagnagrok, Disinformation, Urthona, The Stargazer's Assistant, High Mountain Temple, The Stëllä Märis Drönë Örchësträ, Yan Gant y Tan, Indigo Octagon, and solo as The Asterism. He has appeared on two albums by High Mountain Temple, Circuit Blasting by Strange Attractor vs Disinformation, and Murmurations by Urthona and the Asterism.