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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Jul 18

    Would Your Book Survive an Acquisitions Editor?

    Every author wants to believe their book is ready. But would it survive the first ten minutes on an acquisitions editor's desk? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske pull back the curtain on what professional editors and publishers actually look for when evaluating a manuscript. From unforgettable opening chapters and compelling characters to author voice, pacing, structure, and commercial viability, you'll learn how to stop reading your book like its creator—and start evaluating it like the professionals do. Whether you're pursuing traditional publishing or publishing independently, these principles can help you identify weaknesses before your readers do. Because every page has one job: Earn the next page. Resources Mentioned Acquisitions Editor Manuscript Checklist: https://learning.printtopro.com/acquisitions-checklist/ RECOMMENDED BOOKS:  Story Genius by Lisa Cron The Story Equation by Susan May Warren Previous Episodes:  You Don't Want an Editor, You Want Validation   Why Readers Walk Away After Reading Your Blurb The Creative Penn Podcast with Joanna Penn Author Voice Mastery with J. Daniel Sawyer  https://youtu.be/aQO0E_52sRY?si=3sdtkDRWKgg_VlhQ If this episode helped you see your manuscript from a new perspective, we'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us: What's one thing you're going to evaluate differently in your own book? And if you found this helpful, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with another writer. It helps us reach more authors who are serious about improving their craft. #WritingCommunity #WritingTips #AmWriting #BookEditing #IndieAuthor #TraditionalPublishing #StoryStructure #AuthorLife #WritingCraft #SelfPublishing

  8. Jul 11

    Why Readers Walk Away After Reading Your Blurb

    You spent months (or years) writing your book... ...and then gave yourself fifteen minutes to write the blurb. We see it all the time. Authors pour everything into their manuscript, only to rush through the one piece of sales copy that convinces readers to pick it up, or put it back on the shelf. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we're breaking down what actually makes a great book blurb, why AI-generated blurbs usually land somewhere between "fine" and "forgettable," and how to edit them into something that truly sells your story. A book blurb is not a summary. It's not your query letter. And it's definitely not the place to explain every twist in your plot. It's a promise to your reader. Join us as we walk through the five essential elements of a compelling blurb, the biggest mistakes authors make, and practical ways to test whether your blurb is encouraging readers to click Buy Now... or quietly walk away. Resources Mentioned Build a Brilliant Blurb Worksheet (Free) https://learning.printtopro.com/build-a-brilliant-blurb/ Bryan Cohen – Amazon Ads & Book Blurb Resources  (no we don't have any affiliate links with Bryan. We just think he is a swell individual) https://selling-for-authors.teachable.com/p/author-ad-school-unlimited Join our author community on Skool - The P2P Author Business Harbor https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about If you're serious about publishing professionally, building a sustainable author business, and creating books readers can't wait to recommend, you're in the right place. Like, subscribe, and join us every week as we talk writing, publishing, and everything in between. #BookBlurb #BookMarketing #SelfPublishing #WritingTips #IndieAuthor #AuthorMarketing #BookDescription #AIWriting #PublishingAdvice #ProsTalkingProse

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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
    91
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Pros Talking Prose

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