Pros Talking Prose

Stacey Smekofske
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Writing a book is hard. Publishing it is even harder. Succeeding as an author? That’s practically wizardry. Good thing you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Pros Talking Prose is your backstage pass to the writing and publishing world, hosted by seasoned pros Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert. We’ll help you skip the mistakes, laugh through the chaos, and build the writing career you actually want without the smoke and mirrors. New episodes every week. Therapy not included — but highly encouraged.

  1. 1d ago

    Authors Are Worrying About the Wrong Things

    Authors spend a lot of time worrying about book sales, reviews, algorithms, trends, AI, bestseller lists, agents, publishers, other authors’ success… and a whole lot of things we can’t control. All that noise can make it very easy to lose your way. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy and Stacey talk about the difference between the things authors can control, the things they can influence, and the things they may need to simply be aware of… and let go. There is no magic formula for author success. You can control the work you do, the choices you make, and how you show up in your author career. You can influence things like sales, reviews, opportunities, and visibility, but you can’t guarantee the outcome. When authors spend too much energy chasing algorithms, trends, bestseller status, or what everyone else is doing, those things can start controlling them. If you're an indie author, self-published author, traditionally published author, or writer building a sustainable author business, this conversation is for you. RESOURCES Wayfinder Summit — A Virtual Working Retreat for Authors Less Distraction. More Direction. https://wayfindersummit.com Beyond Author Scams: Protect Yourself & Your Author Business Free live class — September 23 https://learning.printtopro.com/beyondauthorscams/ The Author Platform Operating Plan — Power Session Learn how to build and nurture an author platform around the parts you can actually control. https://learning.printtopro.com/p2p-power-session-september-session/ Plot Dude Craft Lab: Character-Driven vs. Plot-Driven Fiction September 22 with Troy Lambert https://learning.printtopro.com/character-driven-vs-plot-driven-fiction/ Better-Faster Academy — Becca Syme Events We mention Becca’s upcoming Boise workshop in October. https://classes.betterfasteracademy.com/courses/23dfb71c-aa32-47e9-bacf-88b7e4eeaa38/salespage Pros Talking Prose is the place where publishing professionals Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert talk shop about writing craft, indie publishing, author business, book marketing, publishing trends, AI for authors, and what it really takes to build a sustainable writing career. No magic formulas. No guaranteed bestseller promises. Just real conversations about writing, publishing, and the business of being an author. If that sounds like your kind of weird, subscribe and join us each Saturday.Keep writing. Be kind. Stay weird. CHAPTERS 00:00 The Mystery Noise We Couldn't Control 03:29 What Authors Can—and Can't—Control 10:01 Why There Is No Formula for Author Success 21:37 Book Sales, Reviews & What Authors Can Influence 27:43 Your Author Reputation Is Something You CAN Control 42:06 When Worry Starts Controlling Your Author Career 48:26 Algorithms, Trends & the Fear of Falling Behind 57:36 AI, Search & the Changing Publishing Industry 1:23:15 Stop Worrying About What Doesn't Matter 1:29:37 Don't Lose Your Way #authorbusiness  #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #AuthorLife #WritingMotivation #Publishing #WritingTips #ProsTalkingProse

  2. Sep 5

    Readers Aren’t Accepting “Good Enough” Books Anymore

    Readers aren’t accepting “good enough” books anymore. The quality bar in publishing has moved, and whether you publish independently, traditionally, or somewhere in between, readers are paying attention. In this episode, Stacey and Troy dig into what “professional quality” actually means today. Spoiler: professional means more than editing. A strong book is not just grammatically clean. The story must work. The cover must communicate the right promise. The formatting needs to disappear into the reading experience. Your genre expectations matter. Your presentation matters. And increasingly, readers can tell when an author has skipped the learning, rushed the process, or relied on technology to make decisions they weren’t equipped to evaluate. We also talk about how AI is raising the minimum quality floor without necessarily creating better books. AI can help create something passable, but if an author doesn’t understand story craft, cover design, editing, formatting, or reader expectations, “passable” may be exactly where the book stays. And readers are looking for more than passable. Ultimately, publishing professionally comes down to respecting the person on the other side of the book. Readers are investing their money, but more importantly, they are investing their time. Your job is to make that investment worthwhile. In this episode, we discuss: Why the publishing quality bar keeps rising Why AI can produce mediocrity surprisingly well The difference between copy editing, developmental editing, and manuscript evaluation Why readers notice poor covers and formatting—even when they can’t explain what feels wrong Why learning your craft still matters, regardless of the tools you use How genre expectations create a reader promise Why professional publishing is really about building reader trust The four things a professional book should accomplish As Stacey puts it near the end of the conversation: readers are not obligated to support your writing journey. Your responsibility is to give them an experience worth investing in. RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED Wayfinder Summit — A Virtual Working Retreat for Authors Three days of focused work, community, professional guidance, networking, and practical support for authors who want to make meaningful progress. Registration begins at $30. https://WayfinderSummit.com P2P Author Business Harbor Join the conversation with other writers and publishing professionals inside our author community. https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about Editing Services / Manuscript Evaluations Not sure whether your manuscript needs developmental editing, substantive editing, copy editing, or something else? Stacey breaks down the different editorial services and what each one is designed to accomplish. https://PrintToPro.com Russell Nohelty We reference Russell’s discussion about AI writing and his argument that one of the biggest problems with AI-assisted writing is using the technology before developing the craft and judgment necessary to guide it. https://www.hapitalist.com/cv/ If you enjoy conversations about the realities of writing, publishing, author business, craft, AI, and the constantly changing publishing industry, subscribe and join us each week for Pros Talking Prose. Keep writing. Stay weird. Be kind. #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #BookPublishing #WritingCraft #AuthorBusiness #BookEditing #PublishingTips #AIWriting

  3. Aug 29

    The People Around You Can Change Your Author Career

    Writing may happen alone, but building an author career doesn’t. After a whirlwind weekend at Killer Nashville, Stacey and Troy came home thinking about something that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough in publishing: the people you surround yourself with can fundamentally change the direction of your career. A conversation with a stranger can become a friendship. A friendship can become an introduction. An introduction can lead to an editor, agent, publisher, printer, collaborator, client, or simply another writer who understands exactly what this strange career feels like. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we talk about what healthy professional relationships actually look like in the publishing industry, and where those relationships can go wrong. We get into networking without making it feel transactional, building genuine connections at writers’ conferences, maintaining professional boundaries with editors and clients, following up when someone gives you an opportunity, and why knowing someone should never mean ignoring the proper process. We also talk candidly about the author-editor relationship. Can your editor also be your friend? Absolutely. But friendship can complicate criticism, invoices, boundaries, and those difficult conversations every good editor eventually has to have. And sometimes, the most important relationship you build has nothing to do with what that person can do for your career. Sometimes you simply need people in your corner. Because authors are not competing for one tiny piece of the publishing world. We are colleagues navigating many of the same challenges, and learning how to support, recommend, celebrate, and connect with one another can make this career a whole lot less lonely. Go to https://WayfinderSummit.com to join us at our writers' retreat in October.  Find us at https://printtopro.com You can also go to our community at https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about Chapters 00:00 – Back from Killer Nashville 02:00 – How Important Are Relationships in Publishing? 13:00 – How Relationships Open Doors for Authors 19:00 – Networking, Reputation & Professional Boundaries 28:00 – Publishing Companies, Printers & the Power of Real Connections 43:00 – Should You Be Friends With Your Editor? 1:07:00 – Stop Treating Other Authors Like Competition 1:13:00 – Why Writers Need Community If you’re an indie author, traditionally published author, aspiring writer, editor, publisher, or simply trying to figure out how to build a sustainable author career, subscribe to Pros Talking Prose. Every week, Stacey and Troy talk candidly about writing craft, publishing, book marketing, author business, editing, AI, and what it actually takes to stay in this industry for the long haul. #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #IndieAuthor #Publishing #WritingTips #BookPublishing #AuthorBusiness #WritersConference #BookEditing #ProsTalkingProse

  4. Aug 22

    Why So Many Authors Feel Like They’re Falling Behind

    Publishing is changing fast. AI is changing faster. Authors are being told to write more, publish more, build bigger platforms, learn new technology, follow every trend—and somehow keep producing better books while doing it all. No wonder so many writers feel like they’re losing ground. In this episode, Stacey and Troy talk about the pressure authors are putting on themselves, why imposter syndrome becomes so dangerous when it mixes with comparison and fear, and why the constant race to keep up may be hurting both your writing and your author career. We also dig into the growing anxiety surrounding AI, including concerns about AI-generated writing, transparency, Claude and AI watermarking, and the fear some authors have of being “found out” for using these tools. But this conversation isn't really about whether AI is good or bad, instead we think it's about knowing where your line is, being honest about the way you work, and refusing to let someone else's choices (or the latest publishing panic) determine whether you believe you're a legitimate writer. Because there is no race. Writing faster doesn't automatically make you more successful. Publishing more books doesn't automatically make you a better author. And chasing every new tool, strategy, controversy, or algorithm change can pull your attention away from the one thing that still matters: Writing a damn good story. We talk about slowing down, developing your craft, using tools intentionally, finding a writing community that supports you, and why patience and focus may become two of the most valuable skills an author can develop in the next few years. Wayfinder Summit: Our virtual working retreat for authors focused on clarity, community, productivity, and actually making progress on your work. https://WayfinderSummit.com We'd love to hear from you: Do you ever feel like you're falling behind as an author? What exactly makes you feel that way? Tell us in the comments. And if you know another writer who needs to hear this today, send this episode their way. #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #WritingAdvice #ImposterSyndrome #WritingMotivation #AIForAuthors #SelfPublishing #WritingCraft #IndieAuthors #authors

  5. Aug 15

    We Accidentally Lived Through a Perfect Story Structure

    What happens when your entire travel plan falls apart and you suddenly realize you're living through the exact kind of story structure you teach authors to write? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we do something a little different. After a travel day filled with changing gates, missing pilots, canceled flights, expensive mistakes, unexpected allies, and one very important business conversation, we realized our disastrous trip had accidentally become a near-perfect example of story structure, escalating conflict, try/fail cycles, character change, and the difference between plot and story. So we broke it down. Because one of the most common problems we see in manuscripts is that authors are too nice to their characters. Conflict isn't something you sprinkle into a story to make it exciting. Conflict creates stakes. Failure forces characters to react, change, make decisions, and eventually become capable of doing something they couldn't have done at the beginning of the story, and what your character wants from the journey isn't what they actually need to get from it. We talk about: Why try/fail cycles make stories stronger How escalating conflict keeps readers invested Why the dark moment needs to actually hurt Reactive characters versus proactive characters How minor characters can change the direction of a story Why every scene needs to move the character toward the climax How failure reveals character Why your protagonist should be capable of something at the end that they couldn't do at the beginning The surprisingly important difference between “and then” storytelling and “if/then” storytelling Sometimes the difference between a plot and a story really is only two words, and sometimes failure makes the better story. If you enjoy conversations about writing craft, publishing, author business, and all the strange things that happen along the way, subscribe to Pros Talking Prose and join us each week. And tell us in the comments: Are you making things hard enough for your protagonist, or are you still protecting them? LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED 🧭 Wayfinder Summit WayfinderSummit.com The first 250 registered attendees will receive a Wayfinder Welcome Kit. Learn more about the virtual working retreat for authors and reserve your spot above. Craft Lab: Poisons with Troy Lambert https://theplotabides.com/free-plot-dude-webinars-2026 Power Sessions https://printtopro.com/powersessions-2026 Print to Pro PrintToPro.com We'll be at Killer Nashville this August, so if you're attending, come find us and say hello. #WritingCraft #StoryStructure #WritingTips #NovelWriting #ConflictInFiction #CharacterDevelopment #WritersCommunity #WritingAdvice #Authors #ProsTalkingProse

  6. Aug 8

    The Author Success Formula Is a Lie

    Every author wants the formula. The perfect story structure. The guaranteed marketing strategy. The business system that promises more readers, more sales, and a six-figure author career. But the author success formula is a lie. That does not mean business advice, writing frameworks, or marketing strategies are useless. It means someone else’s formula was built around their skills, resources, audience, timing, failures, and opportunities. You can learn from the principles inside it, but copying the steps will not guarantee the same result. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy and Stacey discuss the dangerous appeal of author success formulas, the reality behind impressive revenue claims, and why sustainable growth requires more than following somebody else’s blueprint. They also share an honest behind-the-scenes story about a manuscript that went through more than a year of revisions, book doctoring, formatting changes, last-minute edits, expedited printing—and one typo that still made it into 200 printed books. Once the presses were running, there was nothing left to do but embrace the happy accident. In this conversation: • Why gross revenue is not the same as author income • The truth behind “six-figure author” claims • Why there is no magic solution for selling books • What authors can learn from business experts without blindly copying them • Why story structures should be tools, not rigid formulas • The hidden failures behind successful businesses • Why scaling requires trust, delegation, and relinquishing control • How perfectionism can steal the joy from writing • Why your definition of author success should belong to you • How one missing letter became a lesson in accepting imperfection Your author career will have mistakes, disappointing launches, failed ideas, unexpected expenses, and plans that do not work the way you hoped. Those moments do not mean you are failing. They are part of the work. They are part of your growth. They are part of your story. Stop waiting for the perfect formula, the perfect manuscript, the perfect launch, or the perfect time. Learn what you can. Protect the joy of storytelling. Keep doing the work. And embrace the happy accidents. CHAPTERS 00:00 – The rabbit hole that started the conversation 02:16 – Why Pros Talking Prose is not chasing monetization 05:23 – Scaling a creative business without sacrificing quality 08:17 – How authors can realistically grow their income 11:04 – The truth behind author earnings and six-figure claims 17:33 – Why business success formulas are incomplete 24:15 – Story structure should be a tool, not a rule 29:15 – Authors are searching for a magic solution 34:21 – Stacey’s $10,000 lesson about business formulas 40:21 – Some businesses cannot scale forever 43:15 – What happens when success does not create happiness 46:09 – Protecting the joy that made you want to write 51:30 – Why an author’s story matters beyond book sales 54:13 – The grind, the work, and the value of finishing 01:00:54 – Finding joy in failure 01:04:11 – The manuscript that nearly broke everyone 01:08:58 – Eighty-seven last-minute changes 01:11:28 – The typo discovered after the presses started 01:13:41 – How “Meazu” became a shirt and a philosophy 01:17:25 – Progress over perfection 01:21:19 – Wayfinder Summit and upcoming author events RESOURCES AND REFERENCES MENTIONED Watch our episode about the power-law distribution of author income https://youtu.be/crAhcufcMmg?si=4sAdbZ25G9LRJTca Watch Stacey’s Red Ink episode about Harper Lee and extraordinary debut-novel success [Insert episode link] Get the “Meazu” shirt and embrace the typo https://print-to-pro-shop.fourthwall.com/products/measue-tee-find-peace-in-the-journey Join the Wayfinder Summit Less Distraction. More Direction. www.WayfinderSummmit.com Learn more about Print to Pro www.PrintToPro.com Subscribe to Pros Talking Prose for honest conversations about writing, publishing, book marketing, and building a sustainable author career—without the hype, shortcuts, or magic formulas. #AuthorSuccess #AuthorBusiness #IndiePublishing #SelfPublishing #WritingAdvice #BookMarketing #Authorpreneur #WritingCommunity #WritingCareer #ProsTalkingProse

  7. Aug 1

    Authors Don't Trust AI... So Why Are They Using It?

    For the past year, it has felt like everyone has an opinion about AI. But what do authors actually think? We surveyed over 200 authors to better understand how writers really feel about artificial intelligence, not just how they use it, but how they view its impact on creativity, publishing, copyright, trust, and the future of storytelling. The results surprised us. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we break down the survey results, discuss what the numbers actually mean, challenge some common assumptions, and share why we believe the future of publishing depends less on technology, and more on authors working together as professionals. Whether you embrace AI, avoid it completely, or are still trying to decide where you stand, this conversation is designed to help you think critically rather than emotionally. Download the complete Author AI Survey Report: https://printtopro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AI_Survey_Findings_Report_Nuetral.pdf Referenced in this episode: Copyright & AI episode with Copyright Attorney: https://youtu.be/7jdWJCFDmqE Register for the Wayfinder Summit: https://wayfindersummit.com/ Join the free Print to Pro Author Business Harbor Community: https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about If you enjoyed this discussion, we'd love to hear from you. What surprised you most about these survey results? Leave a comment below and join the conversation. We read every one. #AIForAuthors #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #AuthorLife #Publishing #BookMarketing #ArtificialIntelligence #WritingTips #ProsTalkingProse

  8. Jul 25

    Christopher Nolan Reminded Us of One Truth About Storytelling

    Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey reminded us of one of the most important truths about storytelling: once your story is released into the world, it no longer belongs only to you. Every reader brings their own experiences, beliefs, emotions, and perspective to your work. That's not a flaw in storytelling; it's the very thing that makes stories endure. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske discuss what they learned after watching The Odyssey (without spoilers) and how it applies to every author trying to create meaningful fiction. They explore why perfection is impossible, why criticism doesn't define your talent, why editors should challenge you instead of praising you, and how great stories invite readers to complete them with their own imagination. Whether you're struggling with negative reviews, afraid to publish, or wondering if your manuscript is "good enough," this conversation will help you let go of perfection and focus on writing stories that truly connect. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why every reader experiences your story differently • How to stop chasing the "perfect" book • Why developmental editing makes stories stronger • The relationship between author intent and reader interpretation • Why criticism isn't the enemy of great storytelling • How timeless stories continue to resonate for generations Resource Free Author Resources https://printtopro.com Character Archetype Worksheet https://printtopro.com/tools-and-resources/ Wayfinder Summit https://wayfindersummit.com If you're serious about becoming a stronger storyteller, subscribe for weekly conversations about writing craft, publishing, editing, and building a sustainable author career. Like the video if it helped. We'd love to hear from you in the comments: Has a book or movie ever meant something completely different to you after revisiting it years later? #writing #storytelling #authors #amwriting #writingcommunity #creativewriting #bookediting #developmentalediting #writingtips #fictionwriting #christophernolan #theodyssey #indieauthor #publishing #printtopro Chapters 00:00 Why Perfection Is the Enemy of Creativity 01:42 Our (Spoiler-Free) Thoughts on The Odyssey 07:26 Where Stories Really End 13:20 Why Your Book Isn't for Everyone 19:05 The Danger of Revising Forever 24:40 What Great Editors Actually Do 31:27 Knowing When to Let Your Story Go 36:02 Why Art Is Always Subjective 43:59 The Secret Behind Stories People Can't Put Down 49:02 Why Every Story Deserves to Be Told 53:05 Your Story Belongs to the Reader 57:17 Resources for Authors & Upcoming Events

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About

Writing a book is hard. Publishing it is even harder. Succeeding as an author? That’s practically wizardry. Good thing you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Pros Talking Prose is your backstage pass to the writing and publishing world, hosted by seasoned pros Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert. We’ll help you skip the mistakes, laugh through the chaos, and build the writing career you actually want without the smoke and mirrors. New episodes every week. Therapy not included — but highly encouraged.

Information

  • Creator
    Stacey Smekofske
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Pros Talking Prose

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