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. 2d ago

    Why You Lose Motivation Halfway Through Writing a Book

    You started writing your book with ALL the enthusiasm in the world. The characters were talking to you, the plot was practically writing itself, and you were convinced this was going to be your best book ever. And then... somewhere around chapter twelve, the honeymoon ended. Now you're staring at your manuscript, wondering where all that excitement went. Sound familiar? Losing motivation doesn't necessarily mean you've lost your passion for writing. Sometimes the excitement simply wears off. Sometimes you're getting in your own way. And sometimes that shiny new book idea is just distracting you from finishing the one you've already started. This week on Pros Talking Prose, we're tackling a fantastic question from one of our viewers about the ups and downs of creative enthusiasm. Troy and Stacey explore why writing motivation fades, what separates enthusiasm from discipline, and how professional authors keep writing even when the magic seems to have disappeared. We're talking about writer's block, creative routines, perfectionism, distractions, finding your WHY, and some practical ways to get yourself back into your manuscript without making writing feel like a punishment. We also get into something authors don't always want to hear: Sometimes you need to push through. Sometimes you need a break. And sometimes you need to quit doing something that isn't working for you. Writing a book is one thing. Building a sustainable writing career? That's a whole different adventure. And no, you don't have to be wildly enthusiastic about every single part of it. We certainly aren't! Chapters 00:00 – Why Writers Lose Motivation: The Writing Honeymoon 07:20 – Why Writing Gets Harder in the Middle of a Book 12:13 – Motivation vs. Discipline: How Professional Writers Keep Going 27:24 – How to Get Your Writing Motivation Back 40:25 – Overcoming Writer's Block and Finding Your Writing Process 50:31 – Creative Breaks, Burnout, and Knowing When to Quit 01:03:05 – How to Restart Your Manuscript and Overcome Writing Fears Resources & Links Books mentioned: The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717356/the-creative-act-by-rick-rubin/9780593652886/ Dear Writer, You (Still) Need to Quit by Becca Syme https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Writing, Publishing & Author Business Resources Print to Pro — Publishing strategy, education, and professional publishing support: https://printtopro.com/ The Plot Abides — Troy Lambert's writing craft resources, courses, and coaching: https://theplotabides.com/ The Plot Dude's Guide to Story: https://theplotabides.com/courses/plot-dudes-guide-to-story/   Join our author community! Want to connect with other authors who are figuring out this whole writing and publishing business right alongside you? Join us in the P2P Author Business Harbor, where we talk writing craft, publishing, marketing, and building an author business that actually works for YOU. https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about Now we want to hear from YOU! Have you ever fallen out of love with a book you were writing? Did you push through, take a break, chase a shiny new idea, or leave that poor manuscript sitting in a folder somewhere collecting digital dust? Tell us in the comments! We want to know what helped you get your writing motivation back—or what's keeping you stuck right now. And if you enjoy candid conversations about writing, self-publishing, book marketing, and the occasionally ridiculous realities of being an author, subscribe to Pros Talking Prose! Troy and Stacey are here to help you navigate the writing life and build a sustainable author career, one conversation at a time. Keep writing. Be weird. Stay kind. #WritingMotivation #WritingTips #Authors #ProsTalkingProse #WritingCommunity

  2. Oct 17

    Novel November: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Truth About Writing Challenges

    Can writing 50,000 words in 30 days actually make you a better writer? Or are we just getting really good at chasing word counts? November is coming, and writers everywhere are preparing to do what writers do best: set wildly ambitious goals, stock up on caffeine, and convince themselves that this will finally be the month they finish that novel. However, are writing challenges like Novel November, NaNoWriMo, and organized write-ins really helping authors build better writing habits? Or are they creating unnecessary pressure, burnout, and some spectacularly messy first drafts? This week on Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske dig into the good, the bad, and the occasionally ridiculous side of 30-day writing challenges. We're talking about writing productivity, accountability, the comparison trap, and why hitting a word count isn't necessarily the same thing as making progress on your book. Plus, Troy shares what he's learned from years of participating in writing challenges, and Stacey brings the editor's perspective on what happens when those 50,000 words eventually land on an editor's desk.  (Spoiler: There's usually some work left to do.) Whether you're preparing for Novel November 2026, looking for a NaNoWriMo alternative, trying to establish a consistent writing routine, or just hoping to finish your manuscript without losing your sanity, this conversation is for you. Because writing more words is great. But knowing what you're trying to accomplish with those words? That's where things get interesting. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Pros Talking Prose 03:43 – What Happened to NaNoWriMo? The Rise of Novel November 10:30 – The Benefits of 30-Day Writing Challenges and Daily Word Goals 20:04 – Writing Accountability, Community, and the Power of Write-Ins 28:00 – Finding Your Best Writing Schedule and Productivity Habits 38:32 – The Downsides of Writing Challenges: Comparison, AI, and Word Counts 45:10 – Why 50,000 Words Doesn't Mean Your Novel Is Finished 53:10 – Writing Burnout and Why Good Habits Don't Always Stick 59:24 – Are Writing Communities Distracting You From Actually Writing? 1:03:48 – How to Make Novel November Work for Your Writing Goals 1:09:23 – Preparing Your Life, Schedule, and Workspace for a Writing Challenge 1:13:59 – Writing Goals, Self-Compassion, and Progress Over Perfection Connect With Us Print to Pro – Publishing education, professional services, and author business strategy https://printtopro.com/ P2P Author Business Harbor – Join our author community for writing and publishing discussions, resources, and support. https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about

  3. Oct 10

    Why Readers Feel Cheated by AI-Written Books

    What happens when readers discover that the book they loved was written by AI? Does the story suddenly become less valuable—or does the author lose something far more important: the reader's trust? AI-generated books are becoming part of the publishing conversation, but authors and readers aren't necessarily seeing eye to eye. And while some writers are embracing artificial intelligence as a shortcut to publishing faster, readers may be questioning what they're actually paying for. This week on Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy tackle a slightly uncomfortable question: Is AI turning authorship into the creative equivalent of wearing a fake Rolex? Yes, we're talking counterfeit luxury watches, Burberry, AI-generated music, influencer culture, and what any of those things have to do with writing books. Trust us, there's a connection. We're not anti-AI. In fact, we both recognize how useful it can be in an author business. But there's a big difference between using AI to support your creativity and allowing it to replace the very thing readers come to you for. When readers start questioning whether the creativity they're buying is genuine, authors have a much bigger problem than a few awkward sentences. We're digging into reader perception, AI writing, author credibility, authenticity, and why the choices you make today could influence your relationship with readers for years to come. A book isn't just a product. There's a human being behind the story, or at least readers expect there to be. Whether you're an indie author, traditionally published author, aspiring writer, or publishing professional, this is a conversation worth having. What do you think? Does knowing a book was written by AI change how you feel about it? And where do you draw the line between AI-assisted writing and AI-generated books? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Even if you disagree with us. Especially if you disagree with us! 00:00 – Fake Rolexes, Luxury Brands, and a Strange Connection to Writing 08:20 – Why Readers Are Rejecting AI-Written Books 11:52 – Is AI Writing the Counterfeit Rolex of Publishing? 15:12 – Why Knowing Something Is AI-Generated Changes Its Value 20:34 – AI Writing, Imposter Syndrome, and Author Credibility 31:57 – What Burberry Can Teach Authors About Authenticity 37:56 – What Makes a Story Genuinely Human? 44:28 – Why Authenticity Matters to Readers 52:47 – When AI Becomes a Shortcut Instead of a Tool 1:01:20 – Can Editors and Readers Recognize AI Writing? 1:04:12 – Protecting Your Manuscript and Your Creative Voice 1:09:50 – Why Every Author Should Have an AI Policy Join Us at Wayfinder Summit! October 15–17, 2026 | Virtual Author Retreat Less Distraction. More Direction. Three days dedicated to helping authors find clarity, build sustainable writing and publishing practices, and make real progress toward their goals. Join Stacey, Troy, Becca Syme, Roland Denzel, and other industry professionals for a retreat built around doing the work, not just talking about it. https://wayfinder-summit.heysummit.com/ Resources Mentioned Becca Syme — Better-Faster Academy https://betterfasteracademy.com/ Dear Writer, You Need to Quit — Becca Syme https://betterfasteracademy.com/books-by-becca-syme/dear-writer-you-need-to-quit/ Story Genius — Lisa Cron https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/252747/story-genius-by-lisa-cron/ Connect With Us Print to Pro — Publishing Strategy, Education & Author Services https://printtopro.com/ P2P Author Business Harbor — Our Author Community https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor Join us for more candid conversations, publishing guidance, author-business resources, and opportunities to connect with other writers. If you're enjoying Pros Talking Prose, please like, subscribe, and share the episode with another author. It helps us reach more writers and keep these conversations going. Music Credits Music: Suppermassive Black Hole Artist/Composer: Muse About Pros Talking Prose Join publishing professionals Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert as they talk writing, editing, publishing, book marketing, and the business of being an author. No magic formulas, no sugarcoating, and occasionally a few rabbit holes along the way. Keep writing. Be kind. Stay weird. #ProsTalkingProse #AIWriting #AIWrittenBooks #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #AuthorBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence

  4. Oct 3

    Could Trying to Sell Your Book Keep You from Finishing It?

    Could thinking about book sales before you finish your manuscript actually keep you from finishing it? You want to write a great book. You also want someone to buy the thing. But when should target readers, genre expectations, and book marketing enter the conversation? This week on Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert get a little feisty about where writing craft meets author business. Stacey makes the case for helping authors understand their book’s market potential early. Troy asks whether that same information can interrupt the creative process, create pressure, or send a perfectly good story in the wrong direction. Naturally, we debate it like reasonable adults. With a house of cards, a few musical detours, and the occasional “just write the damn story.” From manuscript reviews and developmental editing to author platforms, writing anxiety, and protecting your writing time, we explore a question that matters to new writers and experienced indie authors alike: How do you build a publishing business without getting in the way of the book you’re trying to write? Tell us what you think: Would knowing your book’s target audience and market potential help you revise—or make you overthink every sentence? Follow Pros Talking Prose for candid conversations about writing, editing, self-publishing, book marketing, and building a sustainable author career. CHAPTERS 00:00 A friendly publishing debate gets feisty 03:14 When should authors think about book marketability? 10:37 Can market expectations derail your story? 20:07 Author goals, manuscript revisions, and reader expectations 27:16 When should you build your author platform? 33:30 How publishing pressure can keep you from writing 40:32 Protecting creativity from the pressure to sell 46:36 How to protect your writing time and find your flow 52:04 When is an author ready for publishing advice? 1:00:07 Why writing advice depends on the author 1:03:50 Wayfinder Summit, Preptober, and upcoming author classes LINKS & RESOURCES • Print to Pro: Editing, manuscript reviews, publishing guidance, and author business resources https://printtopro.com/ • Print to Pro Power Sessions: Class schedule and registration, including the distribution session discussed in this episode https://printtopro.com/powersessions-2026/ • Troy Lambert / The Plot Dude: Writing courses, manuscript evaluations, and story resources https://theplotabides.com/ • The Plot Dude’s Craft Lab: Monthly writing webinars, including October’s Preptober session https://theplotabides.com/webinars/ • Wayfinder Summit: A virtual working retreat for authors—less distraction, more direction https://wayfindersummit.com/ Be kind. Keep writing. Stay weird. #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #AuthorBusiness

  5. Sep 26

    The Truth About Writing Advice: It Depends

    There’s a LOT of writing and publishing advice out there. Follow this formula. Use this tool. Publish this way. Market your book like this, but after 100 episodes of Pros Talking Prose, we keep coming back to two words: It depends. In our 100th episode, we hand the conversation over to you. We answer questions from our listeners about writing, editing, AI, indie vs. traditional publishing, staying focused long enough to actually write the damn book, series writing, the books every writer should read, and what we’ve learned from 100 episodes of talking about the publishing industry. We also revisit some of our favorite moments, arguments, guests, questionable conversations, and lessons from the show, including a few things we’ve changed our minds about along the way. Because whether you’re trying to improve your writing craft, decide how to publish your book, build an author business, use AI responsibly, market your work, or figure out which piece of author advice you should actually listen to, there usually isn’t one universal answer. Your goals matter. Your circumstances matter. You and your story are what matters. So come celebrate 100 episodes with us (not with a greatest-hits clip show) with the kind of messy, funny, occasionally inappropriate, real-world conversation that got us here in the first place. And thank you for being the fly on the wall for 100 episodes. We’re not done yet. Follow us for more at PrintToPro.com Join us at the Wayfinder Summit Writers Retreat October 15th.  https://WayfinderSummit.com Pros Talking Prose is a couple of working publishing and editing professionals talking about the information that authors really want to know. The real-life stuff. Chapters 00:00 100 Episodes of Writing, Publishing & Friendship 09:18 How AI Has Changed Writing and Publishing 14:35 Can AI Replace a Professional Book Editor? 35:04 Books Every Writer Should Read 56:22 Indie Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing: Where Should Authors Start? 1:16:17 How Writers Can Stop Distractions and Actually Write 1:24:40 The Biggest Mistakes Authors Make With Book Two 1:27:46 What 100 Episodes Taught Us About Writing and Publishing 1:36:05 The Truth About Writing Advice: It Depends #WritingAdvice #PublishingAdvice #IndiePublishing #SelfPublishing #WritingPodcast #AuthorBusiness #BookMarketing #WritingTips #Authors #ProsTalkingProse

  6. Sep 19

    Book Marketing Has Changed. Authors Need to Change With It.

    Book marketing has changed, and a lot of the advice authors are still following was built for an internet that doesn’t really exist anymore. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we sit down with marketing strategist Amanda Natividad, founder of Zero Click Marketing, Chief Evangelist at SparkToro, and co-author with Rand Fishkin of the upcoming book Zero Click Marketing: How to Build Brands and Earn Customers on a Traffic-Starved Web. We talk about what authors should be doing when Google sends fewer clicks, social media platforms want to keep people on-platform, AI tools are changing how people search, and traditional marketing attribution doesn’t always tell us where readers actually discovered us. And no, the answer is NOT “be everywhere.” Amanda walks us through how authors can figure out where their readers are already spending time, choose the right discovery platform, create content that actually connects to their books and brand, and stop letting algorithms dictate their entire marketing strategy. We also get into author websites, newsletters, blogs, direct sales, audience research, personal vs. author social media accounts, AI-generated content, going viral without making money, and why sometimes the best marketing goal isn’t an immediate sale. As Amanda puts it: “Find more meaning in your marketing beyond just the sales.” Oh, and somehow the Black Plague becomes a legitimate book marketing case study. Because apparently that’s where we are now.  If you’re an indie author, self-published author, traditionally published author, or authorpreneur trying to figure out what book marketing looks like in 2026, this conversation will give you plenty to think about. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Welcome to Pros Talking Prose 03:55 – What Is Zero Click Marketing? 06:12 – Why Traditional SEO and Website Traffic Have Changed 10:43 – How Authors Can Find Where Their Readers Actually Are 15:54 – Audience Research and Smarter Book Marketing 20:18 – Do Author Websites and Email Lists Still Matter? 22:08 – Are Blogs Still Worth It in the Age of AI Search? 26:15 – Why Book Marketing Attribution Is Broken 29:35 – Why Author Brand Recognition Matters More Than Ever 31:14 – What “Providing Value” Actually Means for Authors 32:03 – Yes, the Black Plague Becomes a Marketing Strategy 33:52 – Should Authors Have Separate Social Media Accounts? 38:01 – How Your Own Social Media Behavior Affects Discovery 41:16 – Amanda’s Own Book Publishing and Direct Sales Strategy 48:29 – Are Authors Giving Algorithms Too Much Power? 51:55 – Authenticity vs. Valuable Content: What Matters More? 57:06 – Why Author Newsletters Still Matter 58:49 – Marketing Advice That Makes Amanda Want to Throw Something 01:04:30 – Amanda’s #1 Book Marketing Advice: Pick ONE Platform 01:06:30 – Where to Find Amanda + Zero Click Marketing LINKS & RESOURCES Amanda Natividad https://amandanat.com/ Zero Click Marketing https://zeroclickmarketing.co/ Zero Click Marketing: The Book https://zeroclickmarketing.co/book SparkToro – Audience Research https://sparktoro.com/ The Menu Newsletter Find it through Amanda’s website: https://amandanat.com/ Wayfinder Summit https://wayfindersummit.com/ Print to Pro https://printtopro.com ABOUT PROS TALKING PROSE Pros Talking Prose is where we talk honestly about writing, publishing, book marketing, author business, and what it actually takes to build a sustainable career around your books. No magic formulas. No pretending every author needs the same marketing plan. Just real conversations about writing better books, reaching readers, and building an author business that actually works. Subscribe and join us for a new conversation every week. #bookmarketingtips #AuthorMarketing #AuthorPlatform #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #ZeroClickMarketing #BookMarketingTips #AuthorBusiness #WritingCommunity #SocialMediaMarketing

  7. Sep 12

    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

  8. 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

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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
    99
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Pros Talking Prose

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