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. 4d ago

    Everyone Wants Fewer Gatekeepers… Until They Read the Books

    Everyone says publishing needs fewer gatekeepers… until they have to sort through thousands of low-quality books. We know this episode may ruffle a few feathers. As lifelong advocates for independent authors, we believe writers should retain their rights, their royalties, and control over their careers. But that doesn't mean every barrier in publishing is a bad thing. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we're tackling one of the most controversial questions in publishing today: Has removing every gatekeeper actually made publishing better? We discuss why editorial standards still matter, how readers are losing trust in books, the impact AI-generated content is having on discoverability, why professional publishing isn't about keeping people out—it's about protecting readers—and how indie authors can meet (or exceed) traditional publishing standards without giving up creative control. If you've ever wondered why some books rise above the noise while others disappear, this conversation is for you. We know some people will disagree with our perspective—and that's okay. We'd genuinely like to hear your thoughts. After watching the episode, tell us: Should anyone be able to publish a book, or does publishing still need standards? Let's have the conversation. Mentioned in this episode Macmillan CEO interview on the future of publishing: The Future of Publishing – Macmillan CEO Interview by David Perell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcSbQU0g8hw&t=4098s AI Sentiment Survey for Authors printtopro.com/author-a-i-sentiment-survey/ Fjeldheim Writers Retreat https://fjeldheimwritersretreat.com/ Join our free Print to Pro Author Business Harbor community: https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about   Subscribe:  If you're serious about building a sustainable author career—not just publishing a book, subscribe for weekly conversations about writing, publishing, marketing, and the business of being an author. New episodes every week. #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #Publishing #BookMarketing #AuthorBusiness #WritingTips #BookPublishing #Authors #ArtificialIntelligence #WritingLife #PrintToPro

    1h 14m

  2. Jun 20

    The Cost of Playing it Safe

    How much is caution costing your author career? Most writers don't think fear is influencing their decisions. They think they're being practical. Responsible. Patient. Careful, but sometimes playing it safe comes with a hidden cost. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske explore how fear affects the decisions authors make every day, like finishing manuscripts and investing in professional help to attending conferences, publishing books, and building a long-term writing career. You'll learn why writers freeze, how fear disguises itself as logic, and how to recognize the difference between making a smart decision and making a fearful one. The greatest risk to your writing career may be standing still. Whether you're struggling with publishing decisions, perfectionism, fear of criticism, fear of AI, analysis paralysis, or simply taking the next step, this episode will help you evaluate what playing it safe is really costing you. Why writers freeze and stop making progress Fear vs. reasonable caution Analysis paralysis in publishing The psychology behind author decision-making Fear of finishing your manuscript Fear of investing in your author business Publishing scams and fear-based marketing tactics AI anxiety and industry uncertainty How to evaluate risk without panic Why successful authors keep moving forward despite uncertainty   #AuthorBusiness #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #AmWriting #IndieAuthor #BookMarketing #WritingTips #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #WritingCareer #ProsTalkingProse

    1h 3m

  3. Jun 13

    You're Probably Setting the Wrong Writing Deadlines

    Most authors don't have a writing problem—they have a deadline problem. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey joins us from the California coast while Troy holds down the fort in Idaho to talk about one of the biggest sources of stress, burnout, and frustration in an author's career: unrealistic deadlines. From drafting and editing to cover design, formatting, publishing, and launch planning, we break down what realistic publishing timelines actually look like and why so many authors accidentally create "writer emergencies" that never needed to exist in the first place. When you're preparing your first book or managing a growing backlist, understanding how deadlines affect every member of your publishing team can save you time, money, and a whole lot of unnecessary stress. Most importantly, we discuss why publishing isn't a race and why slowing down may actually help you create a better book. In this episode: • How to set realistic writing deadlines • The difference between soft deadlines and hard deadlines • Why preorders can create pressure you don't need • What editors, designers, and formatters wish authors understood • Common timeline mistakes that delay publication • Why there are no publishing emergencies • How to avoid author burnout during the publishing process • Why celebrating milestones matters more than you think If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or pressured to publish faster, this conversation is for you. RESOURCES & LINKS Author AI Sentiment Survey printtopro.com/Author-a-i-sentiment-survey/ Print to Pro Power Sessions https://learning.printtopro.com/p2p-power-session-june-session/ Craft Lab with the Plot Dude https://learning.printtopro.com/plotter-wanderer-hybrid-mosaic-sculptor/ Join the Author Business Harbor Community https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 03:09 Writing Deadlines: The Good, The Bad, and The Self-Imposed 11:32 Why Authors Underestimate the Editing Timeline 22:10 Cover Design, Formatting & Publishing Reality 26:10 AI Covers, Artists, and Reader Expectations 32:23 Building a Publishing Timeline That Actually Works 35:12 Uploading, Distribution & Launch Day Myths 41:56 The Proof Copy Stage Most Authors Rush 49:24 Why Perfection Doesn't Exist in Publishing 53:20 Last-Minute Changes and Deadline Disasters 56:13 Celebrating Milestones Instead of Racing Through Them 01:01:24 Why Publishing Isn't a Race 01:07:20 Post-Launch Edits and Managing Expectations 01:12:35 Life Happens: Adjusting Deadlines Without Guilt 01:15:19 Final Thoughts on the Author Journey #WritingCommunity #Authors #SelfPublishing #WritingLife #AuthorBusiness #PublishingTips #AmWriting #BookPublishing #IndieAuthor #AuthorLife

    1h 17m

  4. Jun 6

    You're Measuring Author Success All Wrong

    Are you measuring author success by the wrong standard? Too many writers compare themselves to bestselling authors, viral success stories, and household names. But what if that's exactly what's making you miserable? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske tackle the uncomfortable truth about author success, the publishing industry's "power law," and why so many writers burn themselves out chasing goals they can't control. We discuss why building a sustainable author career matters more than chasing fame, how to stop comparing yourself to the biggest names in publishing, and what successful authors actually spend their time doing. If you've ever felt behind, frustrated, overwhelmed, or like everyone else is succeeding faster than you, this conversation is for you. Success doesn't have to mean becoming Stephen King. Sometimes success means building a loyal readership, creating books you're proud of, and designing an author career that actually fits your life. In this episode: • Why most authors are measuring success incorrectly • The publishing industry's "power law" explained • Why comparison is killing your motivation • The difference between fame and a sustainable writing career • How to build your own author micro-community • What productive authors focus on (and what they ignore) • Why burnout is more dangerous than failure • The three assets every author should be building • Why writing a great book is necessary—but not enough • How to define success on your own terms Resources Mentioned: Author AI Sentiment Survey Quietly Into the Night by Vincent Zandri Alibi Syndicate Press Plot Dude's Guide to Story P2P Author Business Harbor Community If you enjoy honest conversations about writing, publishing, author business, and building a long-term career, make sure to subscribe and join us each week. #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #WritingTips #PublishingIndustry #AuthorBusiness #WritingCareer #BookMarketing #AmWriting #AuthorsHelpingAuthors #CreativeEntrepreneur #WritingPodcast #BookTube #AuthorSuccess

    1h 23m

  5. May 30

    Your Book Is NOT for Everyone (That's Why It Sells)

    Is your book really for everyone? One of the biggest mistakes authors make is trying to write, market, and sell their books to everyone. In reality, the most successful authors understand that books succeed when they connect deeply with the right readers, not all readers. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert discuss why trying to appeal to everyone can actually hurt your book marketing, weaken your author brand, and make it harder to build a loyal readership. We explore audience targeting for authors, reader expectations, genre positioning, reader trust, author platforms, and why building a micro community of dedicated fans is more powerful than chasing a massive audience. Whether you're self-published, traditionally published, or somewhere in between, understanding who your book is truly for can dramatically improve your marketing strategy and long-term author career. In This Episode: • Why "my book is for everyone" is a dangerous mindset • How reader expectations affect book sales and reviews • The difference between a mass audience and a micro community • Building superfans instead of chasing followers • Why genre positioning matters • How authors accidentally betray reader trust • Creating an author platform readers actually want to join • The role of authenticity in building a sustainable author business AI Sentiment Survey: https://printtopro.com/author-a-i-sentiment-survey/ P2P Author Business Harbor: Join our community for free https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about   Resources Mentioned: • Story Genius by Lisa Cron If you found this discussion helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with another author who may be trying to market their book to everyone. #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #AuthorPlatform #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #WritingTips #PublishingIndustry #AuthorBusiness #BookPromotion #ReaderEngagement #WritingLife #Authors #BookMarketingStrategy #AuthorBrand #ProsTalkingProse

    1h 15m

  6. May 23

    Your Book Title is Probably Hurting Sales

    Most authors think book titles are just creative decisions. They’re not. Your title is metadata. Your title is marketing. Your title is the FIRST signal readers get about your book, and if it’s confusing, generic, impossible to pronounce, or sounds like every other title in your genre… readers are already moving on. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske break down why so many authors struggle with titling their books, how trends like “shadow/thorn/ash” naming conventions are flooding the market, and what actually makes a title memorable, searchable, clickable, and marketable. We also talk about: • Why readers judge books almost instantly • The biggest title mistakes authors make • Why “clever” often fails • Genre expectations and title psychology • Searchability and discoverability on Amazon • Why your title is part of your metadata strategy • The problem with trendy fantasy naming conventions • Why some titles actively hurt sales • How to test your title BEFORE launch • What authors should know about AI-generated titles and covers • Why readability matters more than authors think Also, we discuss updates surrounding the Anthropic AI lawsuit, Amazon reporting/review delays, and our upcoming AI sentiment survey for authors and readers. If you’re struggling to title your novel, nonfiction book, memoir, thriller, fantasy, romance, or cozy mystery… this episode is for you. 👇 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED Join the FREE P2P Author Business Harbor community on Skool https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor Print to Pro: www.printtopro.com The Plot Abides: www.theplotabides.com AI Publishing Sentiment Survey   If this episode helped you, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another author. Every share genuinely helps us reach more writers trying to navigate publishing professionally. #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #SelfPublishing #AmWriting #AuthorTube #WritingAdvice #IndieAuthor #BookTitles #PublishingTips #Authors #WritersLife #CreativeWriting #BookMarketingTips #ThrillerBooks #AuthorBusiness #Anthropicnews #AIwriting

    1h 11m

  7. May 15

    Some Authors Forgot How to Enjoy Writing

    Some authors became so focused on “being professional” that they forgot how to actually enjoy writing. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert tackle burnout, doomscrolling, industry panic, AI fearmongering, and the emotional exhaustion many authors are quietly carrying right now. We talk honestly about: • treating your author career like a hobby (in a healthy way) • why disruption in publishing never lasts forever • protecting your creativity during difficult seasons • how to stop tying your self-worth to book sales • why long-term authors survive by “keeping showing up” • maintaining joy while still taking your business seriously If you’re struggling with motivation, discouraged by slow growth, overwhelmed by social media, or simply trying to reconnect with WHY you started writing in the first place, this conversation is for you. Professional doesn’t have to mean miserable. RESOURCES  Print to Pro Classes & Webinars: https://printtopro.com Fjeldheim Writers Retreat: FjeldheimWritersRetreat.com Bonus Episode with Becca Syme & Roland Denzel: https://youtu.be/CgmV7Dk9Gvc Becca Syme / Better Faster Academy: https://betterfasteracademy.com Join the FREE P2P Author Business Harbor Community on Skool: https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AuthorLife #SelfPublishing #WritingTips #IndieAuthor #BookWriting #Publishing #WritersOfYouTube #CreativeBurnout #AuthorBusiness #WritersLife #WritingMotivation #ProsTalkingProse

    1h 7m

  8. May 11

    The Healthiest Authors Think Differently About Success

    In this special bonus episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske sit down with powerhouse author coaches Becca Syme and Roland Denzel for an honest, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about author burnout, publishing disruption, mental health, creativity, resilience, and what it actually means to build a sustainable writing life. From the realities of traditional publishing and indie pressure to social media overwhelm, writing retreats, productivity myths, and the importance of protecting your creative energy, this episode explores why the healthiest authors often approach success very differently than the industry expects. Whether you're a full-time author, part-time creative, or somewhere in between, this conversation is a reminder that there is no single “right” way to build a writing career. In This Episode: Why publishing feels unstable for so many writers right now The hidden mental health costs of modern author culture The truth about traditional publishing vs indie publishing Why resilience matters more than certainty How different author brains process creativity Why some writers should absolutely edit as they go The danger of comparing your process to other authors Social media burnout and protecting your creative focus Writing as a business vs writing as a lifelong creative practice Why writing retreats can reignite creativity and momentum If you’re tired of hustle culture, burnout advice, and feeling like you’re “doing publishing wrong,” this conversation might be exactly what you need.   #ProsTalkingProse #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #PublishingIndustry #WritingRetreat #AuthorBurnout #BeccaSyme #RolandDenzel #WritingPodcast #AuthorBusiness #CreativeProcess #BookMarketing #WritingLife #SelfPublishing

    1h 8m
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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
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Pros Talking Prose