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

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.

And embrace the happy accidents.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – The rabbit hole that started the conversation

RESOURCES AND REFERENCES MENTIONED

Watch our episode about the power-law distribution of author income

Watch Stacey’s Red Ink episode about Harper Lee and extraordinary debut-novel success

Get the “Meazu” shirt and embrace the typo

Join the Wayfinder Summit

Learn more about Print to Pro

#AuthorSuccess #AuthorBusiness #IndiePublishing #SelfPublishing #WritingAdvice #BookMarketing #Authorpreneur #WritingCommunity #WritingCareer #ProsTalkingProse

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:

Referenced in this episode:

Register for the Wayfinder Summit:

Join the free Print to Pro Author Business Harbor Community:

If you enjoyed this discussion, we'd love to hear from you.

#AIForAuthors #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #AuthorLife #Publishing #BookMarketing #ArtificialIntelligence #WritingTips #ProsTalkingProse

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.

Resource

If you're serious about becoming a stronger storyteller, subscribe for weekly conversations about writing craft, publishing, editing, and building a sustainable author career.

#writing #storytelling #authors #amwriting #writingcommunity #creativewriting #bookediting #developmentalediting #writingtips #fictionwriting #christophernolan #theodyssey #indieauthor #publishing #printtopro

Chapters

Every author wants to believe their book is ready.

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:

RECOMMENDED BOOKS: 

Previous Episodes: 

The Creative Penn Podcast with Joanna Penn

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:

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

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 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)

Bryan Cohen – Amazon Ads & Book Blurb Resources 

Join our author community on Skool - The P2P Author Business Harbor

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

The AI conversation has reached a point where authors are accusing authors, readers are accusing writers, and trust is beginning to erode throughout the publishing industry.

#WritingCommunity #WritingLife #Authors #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #BookTube #Publishing #WritingAdvice #AuthorBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeWriting #PrintToPro

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.

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:

AI Sentiment Survey for Authors

Fjeldheim Writers Retreat

Join our free Print to Pro Author Business Harbor community:

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.

#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #Publishing #BookMarketing #AuthorBusiness #WritingTips #BookPublishing #Authors #ArtificialIntelligence #WritingLife #PrintToPro

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.

#AuthorBusiness #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #AmWriting #IndieAuthor #BookMarketing #WritingTips #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #CreativeEntrepreneur #WritingCareer #ProsTalkingProse

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.

In this episode:

If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or pressured to publish faster, this conversation is for you.

RESOURCES & LINKS

Print to Pro Power Sessions

Craft Lab with the Plot Dude

Join the Author Business Harbor Community

CHAPTERS

#WritingCommunity #Authors #SelfPublishing #WritingLife #AuthorBusiness #PublishingTips #AmWriting #BookPublishing #IndieAuthor #AuthorLife

Are you measuring author success by the wrong standard?

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:

Resources Mentioned:

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