Pros Talking Prose

Pros Talking Prose

By Stacey SmekofskeBusinessEntrepreneurshipArtsBooksCareers
Download on the App Store

Pros Talking Prose episodes

  • Authors Are Panicking Over “Shy Girl” But They’re Missing The Point

    The internet is losing its mind over the “Shy Girl” controversy, but most authors are reacting instead of thinking.

    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we break down what’s actually happening beneath the surface of the debate. There are a lot of AI accusations, publishing decisions, reader reactions, and a bigger issue no one seems to be talking about.

    This really matters to authors because it reveals some issues with the future of publishing, author responsibility, and trust in an AI-driven industry.

    We’re not here to pile on or pick sides, but we are here to slow it down, strip out the noise, and talk about what this means for you as an author.

    Inside this episode:

    What really sparked the “Shy Girl” controversy

    Why AI detection is more unreliable than people think
    The role readers, editors, and publishers are playing in the chaos
    What authors are getting completely wrong right now
    The real risk to your author career (hint: it’s not AI)
    Why honesty and transparency matter more than ever

    This episode is a reality check for authors navigating a rapidly shifting publishing landscape.

    If you’re writing, publishing, or building an author business right now, 
    you need to understand what’s actually going on here.

    #ShyGirl #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #AIWriting #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #AuthorBusiness #BookPublishing #WritersOfYouTube #IndieAuthors

    1 hr 5 min
  • Why Most Authors Are Destroying Their Own Brand

    Are authors destroying their own brands without realizing it?

    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we’re breaking down one of the biggest shifts happening in publishing right now:
     Books are becoming commodities
     Readers are harder to reach
     And authors are being pushed to produce more… faster… cheaper
    But what if that’s the wrong strategy?
    We dig into:
    • Why the “mass audience” mindset is failing authors
    • How platforms like Amazon and Spotify are reshaping value
    • What luxury brands (like Burberry) can teach us about exclusivity
    • And why building a micro-community of superfans is the real path forward
    This episode flips the script on everything authors think they need to succeed.
    Because the truth is…
    More visibility doesn’t mean more connection
    More books doesn’t mean more impact
    And more readers doesn’t always mean a better career
    If you want to build a sustainable, meaningful author business—this is the conversation you need to hear.
    • The difference between selling books vs. building a brand
    • Why exclusivity increases perceived value
    • How to create reader loyalty that actually lasts
    • Practical ways to connect with your audience outside the algorithm
    Stop trying to reach everyone.
    Start building something people actually care about.


    Resources & Links:
    • Fjeldheim Writers Retreat (Limited Spots)
    https://fjeldheimwritersretreat.com/
    • Tertulia Author Websites
    https://authors.tertulia.com/[email protected]
    • Print to Pro Power Sessions
    https://printtopro.com/powersessions-2026/

    If this episode hits—like, subscribe, and share it with an author who needs to hear it.

    #AuthorBusiness #IndiePublishing #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #AuthorLife #BookMarketing #WritingTips #PublishingIndustry #Authors #CreativeBusiness

    1 hr 6 min
  • The Publishing Scam Industry is Bigger than Anyone Admits

    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we sit down with Angela Hoy, publisher of WritersWeekly and CEO of BookLocker, to expose the growing scam industry preying on writers. From fake publishing companies to bogus movie deals and AI-generated outreach emails, the scams targeting authors are becoming more sophisticated—and more expensive.

    Angela has spent decades investigating fraud in the publishing world, helping authors recover lost money and exposing companies that exploit writers’ hopes of being discovered. In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on how these scams work, why they’re increasing, and what authors can do to protect themselves.

    We also dive into the evolving role of AI in publishing, the risks it introduces, and the growing concerns surrounding Amazon KDP account terminations and unpaid royalties. If you’re an author navigating today’s publishing landscape, this episode will help you spot red flags before it’s too late.

    Whether you’re self-publishing, traditionally publishing, or building an author business, understanding how these scams operate is essential for protecting your work, your rights, and your career.

    In this episode we discuss:

    The rise of fake publishing companies targeting authors
    How scammers are using AI to impersonate industry professionals
    The truth behind book-to-movie deal scams
    Why Amazon KDP accounts are being terminated
    How authors can identify and avoid publishing fraud
    The importance of education and industry awareness for authors

    Angela also shares real examples of authors losing tens of thousands—and even hundreds of thousands—of dollars to sophisticated scams.

    If you’re an author, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

    Learn more from Angela Hoy

    WritersWeekly: https://www.writersweekly.com
    BookLocker Publishing: https://publishing.booklocker.com

    Pros Talking Prose is a podcast about the craft of writing, the realities of publishing, and the business of being an author. Hosted by Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert, the show explores industry trends, writing craft, and the challenges authors face in today’s publishing world.

    #publishing #authors #selfpublishing #writers #amazonkdp #writingcommunity #writingpodcast #bookpublishing #writingtips #indieauthors

    1 hr 2 min
  • When Writing Became a Product Instead of an Art

    At some point in modern publishing, something shifted. Writers stopped asking “What story do I need to tell?” and started asking “Will this sell?”

    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert tackle a growing problem in the writing world: what happens when authors put the business hat on too early and lose the art of storytelling.


    In an era of rapid publishing, AI writing tools, and constant pressure to monetize creativity, many writers are approaching their craft like a product before it’s even a story. But great books (books that actually connect with readers) don’t start as products. They start as art.

    Stacey and Troy dig into the tension between creative expression and commercial publishing, why writers are feeling more pressure than ever to produce marketable content, and how putting business considerations ahead of the creative process can sabotage both the story and the author’s long-term career.

    They also explore why discomfort, conflict, and honest storytelling are essential to powerful writing—and why authors shouldn’t be afraid to challenge readers or tackle difficult topics.

    If you're a writer trying to balance craft, creativity, and the realities of the publishing business, this conversation will help you rethink where the art belongs in your process.
    Because the truth is simple: The story has to exist before it can ever become a product.

    In This Episode

    • Why putting the “commercial hat” on too early can damage your story
    • The difference between writing as art vs. writing as a product
    • How AI and rapid publishing are changing the creative process
    • Why conflict, discomfort, and honest storytelling matter
    • When authors should actually start thinking about the business side of publishing
    • The balance between creative freedom and audience expectations

    Who This Episode Is For

    This episode is for:
    Fiction and nonfiction authors
    Indie and traditionally published writers
    Writers struggling with creative burnout
    Authors navigating AI and modern publishing pressures
    Anyone building an author business without losing their creative voice

    #WritingPodcast #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #WritingCraft #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #PublishingIndustry #Storytelling #CreativeProcess

    1 hr 10 min
  • The Truth Behind AI, Your Words, and Amazon

    AI can draft your book.

    But can you legally own it?
    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert sit down with intellectual property attorney Bradlee Frazer to unpack the legal realities behind AI-generated content, copyright ownership, and Amazon’s KDP Terms of Service.
    If you’re an author using AI — even just for drafting — this conversation could change how you think about ownership, publishing, and protecting your work.
    We cover:
    ✔️ Why AI-generated content is not automatically copyrightable
    ✔️ The difference between creation, ownership, and registration
    ✔️ What Amazon’s KDP Clause 5.5 actually means
    ✔️ Why “prompting” does NOT equal authorship
    ✔️ How copyright litigation really works
    ✔️ The legal risk of uploading AI-generated content
    ✔️ Why registration matters more than ever
    ✔️ The inbound vs outbound AI copyright problem
    ✔️ What happens if someone steals your book
    As Brad says: “It’s all academic… until you get sued.”
    Copyright isn’t just paperwork.
    It’s a $1 trillion driver of the U.S. economy, and your only legal tool to stop someone from stealing and monetizing your work.
    If you are:
    • A self-published author
    • A hybrid author
    • A traditionally published author
    • A ghostwriter
    • A business owner writing a book
    • Using AI tools like ChatGPT to draft content
    You need to understand this.
    This episode breaks down the legal realities without the hype — and without the panic.
    Because publishing fast is one thing, protecting your intellectual property is another.
    About the Guest
    Bradlee Frazer is Chair of the Intellectual Property & Internet Practice Group at Hawley Troxell and has practiced IP law since 1989. He collaborates with authors, creators, and technology companies across the U.S., bringing decades of experience at the intersection of copyright, technology, and ownership.
    Resources for Authors
    If you want to build a professional publishing strategy that protects your rights, visit:
    PrintToPro.com
    Subscribe for weekly conversations about:
    • Publishing law
    • Author business strategy
    • Marketing
    • Craft
    • Industry news
    • AI in publishing
    Because plot twists are for stories — not your publishing journey.
    #CopyrightLaw #AICopyright #AmazonKDP #SelfPublishing #AuthorBusiness #IntellectualProperty #PublishingIndustry #ChatGPT #BookPublishing #ProsTalkingProse

    1 hr 3 min
  • Why Some Books Disappear (And Others Never Die)

    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy and Stacey tackle one of the hardest questions authors face:

    Are you writing to sell… or writing to last?

    After reflecting on the legacy of Robert Duvall and the staying power of cultural classics like The Princess Bride, The Big Lebowski, and The Stand, we dive deep into:

    The half-life of a bestseller

    Why “writing to market” often fades
    The algorithm vs authenticity
    Audience of one vs audience of many
    Why some books spike… and others endure
    What legacy actually means for modern authors
    Not every book that pays the bills defines your career.
    And not every book that defines your career funds it.
    So what are you building?

    If you’re serious about writing stories that matter — and still navigating the realities of publishing — this conversation is for you.

     Tell us in the comments:

    Are you writing to market… or writing to matter?

    Resources Mentioned:

    Craft Lab with Troy – Character Motivation
    Print to Pro Power Sessions
    Upcoming episode with Brad Frazer on KDP Clause 5.5

    #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AuthorLife #IndieAuthor #BookMarketing #CreativeProcess #PublishingIndustry #WritersOfYouTube

    1 hr 19 min
  • You're Not Independent, You're Isolated: And It's Hurting Your Author Career

    Are you really independent as an author… or are you just isolated?

    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske break down a hard truth about the writing life:
    Writing may be solitary.
    Building an author career is not.

    Too many indie authors try to run their author business alone, making every decision solo, second-guessing every move, and slowly burning out in silence. And it could be costing them growth.

    In this conversation, we talk about:

    Why community is a business strategy (not just a vibe)

    The difference between a real author network and a noisy Facebook group
    How writing conferences and in-person events create opportunities that algorithms never will
    The myth that you have to be “successful enough” before joining a professional community
    How strategic relationships lead to collaborations, referrals, and long-term growth
    The emotional sustainability authors need to avoid burnout
    What a healthy writing community actually looks like (and how to spot toxic ones)
    Whether you're self-published, indie, hybrid, or pursuing traditional publishing, you are running a startup. And startups don’t survive in isolation.

    If you’ve ever:

    Felt alone in your writing journey
    Questioned your publishing decisions
    Considered rage-quitting
    Or thought “I’ll network after my book is done.”
    This episode is for you.

    Opportunities don’t come from algorithms.

    They come from people.

    Free Monthly Trainings 

    We host free monthly sessions inside Print to Pro:
    • Power Sessions (Business & Branding for Authors)
    • Plot Dude Craft Sessions (Story Structure & Character Development)
    Sign up at PrintToPro.com

    #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #AuthorBusiness #WritingAdvice #PublishingTips #BookMarketing #WritersLife

    1 hr 15 min
  • The Three-Tool Rule that Saves Authors Time and Money

    Tool overwhelm is real, and it’s quietly wrecking a LOT of author progress.

    If you’ve ever downloaded one more “must-have” app, paid for a shiny new subscription, or convinced yourself you can’t move forward until you have the “perfect system”… this episode is for you.

    In this week’s Pros Talking Prose, Troy and Stacey break down The 3-Tool Rule—a ridiculously practical way to cut through the noise, stop bleeding time (and money), and get back to what actually moves the needle in an author career.

    We cover:

    Why “time-saving tools” often create more work
    The Three Tool Test (and why it instantly reveals what’s causing overwhelm)
    How to choose tools based on your current stage (baby author vs. scaling author matters)
    The key question that kills bad tools fast: “What specific problem does this solve right now?”
    Backup strategies authors ignore until it’s too late (fires, drive crashes, lost drafts—yep, we go there)
    Permission slips you probably need: cancel subscriptions, downgrade, be boring, and do less—but do it well

    Bottom line: tools should support your writing and author business—not become the hobby that replaces them.

     Want to go deeper? Troy and Stacey also teach monthly craft + author business classes (links in the show notes).

    Print to Power Power Session : February Building an Author Brand that Sells
    https://learning.printtopro.com/p2p-power-session-february-session/
    Plot Dude Craft Session: February Character Motivation
    https://learning.printtopro.com/character-motivation-february/

    1 hr 26 min
  • How to Capture Story Ideas Before They Vanish

    ...Even If you Get That Idea in the Shower

    Inspiration doesn’t strike when it’s convenient—and most writers lose their best ideas before they ever hit the page.

    In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert break down how writers actually capture inspiration, why ideas tend to show up in the shower, the car, or the coffee shop, and how to stop letting those sparks disappear into thin air.

    We talk about:

    Why inspiration is psychological, not magical
    How to train your brain to recognize writing time
    The difference between spark inspiration and daily inspiration
    Practical systems for capturing story ideas before they vanish
    Why boredom, disconnection, and focus matter more than tools
    How technology, AI, and constant distraction interfere with creative thinking
    Simple habits writers use to trigger inspiration on demand. 

    If you’ve ever had a brilliant story idea and forgotten it by morning—or wondered why your muse only shows up at the worst possible time—this conversation will change how you think about inspiration, creativity, and writing discipline.

    If you’re a fiction writer, nonfiction author, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you protect your ideas, strengthen your creative process, and keep your stories moving forward.

    #CreativeFocus #WritingPsychology #MuseMyth #CreativeDiscipline #WriterHabits #DeepWork #CaptureIdeas

    59 min
  • Why Your "Great Idea" Isn't a Story (And How to Fix It)

    You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

    In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

    We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

    • The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in

    • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot
    • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five
    • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle
    • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

    If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify

    You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

    In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

    We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

    • The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in

    • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot
    • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five
    • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle
    • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

    If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify

    You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

    In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

    We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

    • The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in

    • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot
    • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five
    • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle
    • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

    If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify

    You don’t have a writing problem—you have a story problem.

    In this craft-focused episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dig into one of the biggest issues holding writers back: ideas that sound interesting but don’t actually sustain a story.

    We break down how to pressure-test an idea before you waste months writing it, including:

    • The difference between a cool event and a story readers will emotionally invest in

    • Why conflict—not vibes—drives plot
    • How character motivation determines whether a story can last past chapter five
    • The real reason so many novels collapse in the middle
    • How choices, consequences, and escalation create momentum

    If your story feels flat… if things just “keep happening”… or if you’re stuck revising the same manuscript over and over—this episode will help you identify what’s missing and how to fix it.

    This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

    🎧 Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story.

    This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

    🎧 Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story.

    This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

    Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story.

    This is not theory-heavy fluff. It’s practical craft guidance for writers who want to finish strong, write stories that work, and stop guessing their way through plot.

    Perfect for fiction writers, memoirists, and anyone trying to turn an idea into a compelling, market-ready story.

    #WritingPodcast #AuthorLife #StoryCraft #PlotDoctor #WritingTips

    1 hr 16 min

About Pros Talking Prose

From the publisher's feed

Writing a book is hard. Publishing it is even harder. Succeeding as an author? That’s practically wizardry.