The Prose Pros

Tali Shammas and Lauren Khan
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Prose Pros is a podcast where publishing insiders get real. We confess creative missteps, celebrate our triumphs, and spill trade secrets. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or book lover, join us as we explore the art, the craft, and the chaos of storytelling. talishammas.substack.com

  1. Stop Posting Randomly: Building an Author Brand That Sells with Jessica Sorentino

    1D AGO

    Stop Posting Randomly: Building an Author Brand That Sells with Jessica Sorentino

    In this episode, Jessica Sorentino discusses the importance of author branding, marketing, and networking. She advises authors on how to build their personal brand and engage with their audience on social media. Jessica also explains how to maintain a consistent brand identity. She provides practical tips to help authors navigate the evolving landscape of publishing and social media, and highlights common pitfalls. The Prose Pros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Jessica Sorentino is an author brand advisor and book marketing strategist with over a decade of experience working with leading publishing houses including Simon & Schuster and Macmillan Publishers. She writes the Open Book: Where Storytelling Meets Strategy newsletter on Substack and co-hosts the Reading Between the Wines podcast. Based in Connecticut, Jessica is passionate about helping writers build meaningful connections with the readers who need their stories most. Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    50 min

  2. FEB 3

    Navigating rejection in publishing with Ashley Winstead

    Summary In this episode, Ashley Winstead shares her journey as a multi-genre author. From her querying and Pitch Wars to landing her literary agent, Ashley emphasizes the importance of persistence in the face of rejection. She also explores what it means to write across different genres in terms of her readership, as well as the varying experiences she has had with multiple publishers. Ashley also comments on the importance of investing in self-promotion and the impact of social media on book marketing. She shares what she’s learned about building a community with readers while also setting boundaries. Thanks for reading The Prose Pros! This post is public so feel free to share it. Ashley Winstead is the national bestselling author of This Book Will Bury Me, Midnight is the Darkest Hour, The Last Housewife, In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, The Boyfriend Candidate, Fool Me Once, and The Future Saints. Her books have been Library Read picks, Loan Star picks, Best of Amazon picks, Best of Apple Books picks, and have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, BookPage, and Library Journal. Her work has been covered by New York Times, Washington Post, CrimeReads, Parade, Cosmopolitan, Good Morning America, Good Housekeeping, Seattle Times, and Southern Review of Fiction, among others. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages worldwide and optioned for television. Ashley holds a Ph.D. in contemporary American literature and lives in Houston. She is represented by Melissa Edwards of Stonesong Press LLC. Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 26m
  3. Weird Girl Fiction with Callie Kazumi

    JAN 27

    Weird Girl Fiction with Callie Kazumi

    In this episode of The Prose Pros, Callie Kazumi sits down with us to chat weird girl fiction, from inspiration to publication. She describes how the pandemic sparked the idea for her novel, CLAIRE, DARLING (but not in the way you’d think!) We discuss her writing process, her experience in the publishing industry (and how a viral video impacted her querying journey), and the unique themes her upcoming book, GREEDY, explores. GREEDY comes out February 3rd, 2026. The Prose Pros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Callie Kazumi is a British-Japanese author of psychological thrillers. Callie is a graduate of Stirling University, where she studied Journalism and Politics and realised that she enjoyed shocking headlines and making up twisted plots in her head far more than reporting reality. She wrote her first book after her father gifted her Stephen King’s On Writing, which inspired her into action. She works in publishing as a marketer, and spends her days selling incredible stories before returning home and trying to write her own. She currently lives in London with her husband and Bichon Frise, Betsy. Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 2m
  4. Writing a Bestselling Novel with Stacy Willingham

    JAN 20

    Writing a Bestselling Novel with Stacy Willingham

    In this engaging conversation, we sit down with bestselling author Stacy Willingham to discuss her writing journey, the significance of setting in her novels, and how she put “southern suspense” on the map. She shares her creative process, how she goes about character development, and crafting twists in her stories. Stacy offers valuable advice on how aspiring writers can develop their own voice and reflects on her own experience in the literary world. The Prose Pros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Stacy Willingham is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological suspense. Her books include A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things, Only If You’re Lucky and Forget Me Not. Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine’s Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month’s Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW’s Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages. Before turning to fiction, Stacy was a copywriter and brand strategist for various marketing agencies. She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog. Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 6m
  5. The Prose Pros Podcast Trailer

    TRAILER

    The Prose Pros Podcast Trailer

    Welcome to the Prose Pros podcast, your go-to source for the art, the craft, and the business of publishing. The Prose Pros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Lauren Khan joined FinePrint Literary in 2025 as an Associate Agent following an internship at Triada US Literary Agency. She first entered the publishing world as an author. Prior to transitioning to agenting, she worked for over seven years as a corporate lawyer in New York City. Lauren brings both editorial and transactional expertise to her clients.Lauren lives with her family in her small beach hometown in Florida. She wrote her first novel while pregnant with her son and began agenting while pregnant with her daughter. A graduate of Duke University and Fordham University School of Law, she loves podcasts, long walks with her dog, and all things Nora Ephron. As a former theatre kid, Lauren is a lifelong champion of storytelling, subjecting her loved ones to her songs, stories, and plays from the moment she could talk.​An avid reader across genres, Lauren is particularly interested in adult and YA commercial fiction, especially women’s fiction, romance, mysteries, and thrillers, as well as select non-fiction titles. She is an editorial agent with a strong interest in developing fulfilling and long-lasting careers for her authors.I​nstagram: @laurenjpkhanX: @laurenjpkhan Tali Shammas is a literary intern at CMA Literary. Her work is represented by Marilyn Biderman and Brenna English-Loeb at Transatlantic Literary Agency. Prior to writing, Tali practiced corporate law at a large multinational firm for a number of years, then shifted to academia with an eye to completing her PhD. While on maternity leave, she dabbled in fiction writing, and was immediately hooked. Tali gives back by offering mentorship to up-and-coming writers and running workshops on legal issues writers should consider. Tali is the chair of a large writer’s organization and her award-winning short fiction has been published in an anthology. She currently lives in Canada with her husband, two children, and a very spoiled (and handicapable) cockapoo with wheels.I​nstagram: @talishammasX: @talishammas Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    1 min
  6. From Platform to Bestseller with Olivia Muenter

    JAN 13

    From Platform to Bestseller with Olivia Muenter

    In this episode, Olivia shares her journey as an author, discussing challenges she’s faced throughout the publishing process, the personal themes in her writing, and her future plans. She reflects on her writing style, the importance of creating tension, and what it means to her to have a dedicated writing space. Olivia also talks about her goals for the upcoming year, including going on a book tour. The discussion highlights the power of community in writing, the role of podcasting in building connections, and Olivia's recommendations for upcoming reads. The Prose Pros is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Olivia Muenter (pronounced Men-ter) is a writer, reader, and the co-host of the Bad on Paper podcast. Her first novel Such A Bad Influence (Quirk Books) was an instant USA Today Best Seller. Her second novel Little One (Little, Brown) will be published in Feb 2026. A former fashion & beauty editor and freelance writer, Olivia’s work has been published in Glamour, Byrdie, Bustle, Brides, Health.com, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. You can find her most personal writing via her weekly newsletter where she shares about her life, her work, and everything in between. For more regular life/work updates, follow Olivia on Instagram (@oliviamuenter) Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    52 min
  7. The State of Publishing: Lessons from 2025, Predictions for 2026

    JAN 6

    The State of Publishing: Lessons from 2025, Predictions for 2026

    Exciting news for The Prose Pros: literary agent Lauren Khan joins the show as a co-host! In this episode, hosts Tali Shammas and Lauren Khan reflect on some key headlines that made publishing news in 2025. They discuss their accomplishments for the year and their goals for 2026. They also touch on the evolving role of authors and the trends shaping the industry as we move into 2026, sharing their predictions for the future of publishing. My Writerly Musings is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Lauren Khan joined FinePrint Literary in 2025 as an Associate Agent following an internship at Triada US Literary Agency. She first entered the publishing world as an author. Prior to transitioning to agenting, she worked for over seven years as a corporate lawyer in New York City. Lauren brings both editorial and transactional expertise to her clients. Lauren lives with her family in her small beach hometown in Florida. She wrote her first novel while pregnant with her son and began agenting while pregnant with her daughter. A graduate of Duke University and Fordham University School of Law, she loves podcasts, long walks with her dog, and all things Nora Ephron. As a former theatre kid, Lauren is a lifelong champion of storytelling, subjecting her loved ones to her songs, stories, and plays from the moment she could talk. ​An avid reader across genres, Lauren is particularly interested in adult and YA commercial fiction, especially women’s fiction, romance, mysteries, and thrillers, as well as select non-fiction titles. She is an editorial agent with a strong interest in developing fulfilling and long-lasting careers for her authors. I​nstagram: @laurenjpkhan X: @laurenjpkhan Tali Shammas is a literary intern at CMA Literary. Her work is represented by Marilyn Biderman and Brenna English-Loeb at Transatlantic Literary Agency. Prior to writing, Tali practiced corporate law at a large multinational firm for a number of years, then shifted to academia with an eye to completing her PhD. While on maternity leave, she dabbled in fiction writing, and was immediately hooked. Tali gives back by offering mentorship to up-and-coming writers and running workshops on legal issues writers should consider. Tali is the chair of a large writer's organization and her award-winning short fiction has been published in an anthology. She currently lives in Canada with her husband, two children, and a very spoiled (and handicapable) cockapoo with wheels.I​nstagram: @talishammasX: @talishammas Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    57 min
  8. The Only Short Story Advice You’ll Ever Need with Demi Michelle Schwartz

    2025-12-30

    The Only Short Story Advice You’ll Ever Need with Demi Michelle Schwartz

    In this conversation, Demi Michelle Schwartz and I discuss her passion for short stories. She considers the challenges and strategies of character development, pacing, and revisions in short fiction. Demi also emphasizes the importance of feedback and building a writing community. She encourages aspiring writers to embrace prompts and have fun with their writing, regardless of their background or education. My Writerly Musings is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Demi Michelle Schwartz is an author from Pittsburgh, PA, represented by Ciara Smith at Spencerhill Associates. She primarily writes young adult fiction, focusing on the fantasy and thriller genres, though she loves to explore other genres and age categories in her short stories found in anthologies. In 2019, Demi graduated summa cum laude with BAs in Creative Writing and Music from Seton Hill University, then earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill in June of 2022. Along with being an author, Demi is the host of Literary Blend: A Publishing Podcast, a freelance fiction editor through her independently-run services, Amethyst Ink Editorial, an editor for Revise & Resub (#RevPit), and an award-winning songwriter and recording artist. Get full access to The Prose Pros at talishammas.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Prose Pros is a podcast where publishing insiders get real. We confess creative missteps, celebrate our triumphs, and spill trade secrets. Whether you’re a writer, editor, or book lover, join us as we explore the art, the craft, and the chaos of storytelling. talishammas.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Tali Shammas and Lauren Khan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tali Shammas and Lauren Khan
  • Show Website
    The Prose Pros

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