Pros Talking Prose

A little insight and maybe introspection.

You hit publish on your book—so why does it feel like something’s missing? In this short episode, publishing coach and editor Stacey Smekofske breaks down the publish hangover—the emotional crash and loss of momentum many authors experience after finishing a book. From false expectations about instant success to the dangerous pause that causes authors to disappear after launch, this is the part of the writing journey no one talks about.

If you’ve ever asked: “Why do I feel empty after publishing my book?” “What should I do after I hit publish?” “How do successful authors keep momentum going?” This episode is for you.

You’ll learn: Why finishing a book doesn’t automatically lead to visibility or sales

How authors lose momentum right after publishing

How to redirect that post-publish energy into your next smart move

Why your author mindset matters more than algorithms

Publishing isn’t the finish line—it’s the beginning of your author career. Learn more about building a sustainable author business at PrintToPro.com

Subscribe for weekly insights on writing craft, publishing, and the author business.

#WritingTips #PublishingAdvice #WriterLife #CreativeProcess #WritingTruths

Stacey is at Disney. Troy went rogue. And instead of hustle culture, he brought a message most authors desperately need to hear:

In this solo episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert digs into the often-ignored reality of the author life: burnout isn’t a badge of honor, exhaustion isn’t productivity, and grinding yourself into rust won’t build a sustainable career.

He talks about

If you’re overwhelmed, tired, stuck, or feeling like you’re falling behind while everyone else “keeps up,” this episode is your permission slip to breathe and refocus on what actually moves the needle.

No hype. No hustle shaming. Just honest talk about staying human while building a writing career that lasts.

Listen in, unsubscribe from some noise, and remember:

Are you setting ambitious author goals… or accidentally gaslighting yourself into burnout?

We dig into the KPIs authors should be tracking (and the ones you probably should stop obsessing over), including: 

If you’ve ever felt behind, discouraged, or confused by conflicting publishing advice—this episode is your permission slip to stop chasing fantasy goals and start building a sustainable author business.

Subscribe, hit play, and let’s reset how you measure success—before February wrecks your motivation.

#AuthorLife #WritingGoals #AuthorBusiness #PublishingPodcast #IndieAuthors #AuthorMindset #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #ProsTalkingProse #AuthorCEO #BurnoutRecovery #WritingAdvice

2026 is closer than you think—and authors who prepare now will have a serious edge.

Join Pros Talking Prose for a (broadcast 12/27/25) LIVE 2026 publishing outlook and Author Q&A, featuring special guest Vincent Zandri—bestselling author and industry veteran who’s seen publishing evolve through every major shift.

This is an honest, no-fluff conversation about what’s actually coming and how authors can adapt without losing their voice, rights, or sanity.

Your live questions, answered in real time

Whether you’re just starting out or recalibrating an established career, this LIVE session is designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

LIVE — Bring your questions and join the conversation.

#AuthorBusiness #Publishing2026 #AuthorQandA #ProsTalkingProse #PublishingTrends #IndieAuthors #HybridPublishing #TraditionalPublishing #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife

Publishing didn’t explode in 2025.

In this gloriously chaotic year-in-review episode, Stacey and Troy talk through what a lot of authors are quietly feeling but rarely saying out loud: the industry hit a reset button, AI showed up like a spicy autocomplete with opinions, reader culture got meaner, expectations got louder, and everyone somehow ended the year exhausted and behind—even when they weren’t.

We unpack:

This episode is part publishing industry analysis, part author survival guide, and part permission slip to stop apologizing for needing rest—especially during the holidays.

And because we apparently can’t stop ourselves, we’re taking this conversation live.

📅 Join us LIVE on the 27th for a real-time Q&A where we’ll talk 2026 goals, publishing strategy, AI realities, and whatever else authors want to throw at us. Come caffeinated. Or tired. Both are valid.

#AuthorBurnout #CreativeBurnout #WritersBlock #WritingPodcast #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #AIandWriting #IndieAuthors #AuthorBusiness #BookPublishing #WritersOfYouTube

The publishing industry is chaotic, glitchy, and occasionally held together with duct tape—but your story? That part is solid.

We talk about why there are no true emergencies in publishing (even when it feels like everything is on fire), why authors often undervalue their work, and why finishing and publishing a book is more like completing a triathlon than clicking “publish.”

Whether you’re an indie author, traditionally published, or still working toward your first finished draft, this conversation will help you step back, breathe, and see the bigger picture of what it truly takes to make books—and why that effort deserves appreciation.

Because the industry might be a mess… but your story isn’t.

#ProsTalkingProse #PublishingPodcast #AuthorLife #IndieAuthors

In this episode, Troy and Stacey dive into building a real reader community—because relying solely on Amazon is basically letting your author career grow up in an algorithmic inbred village. Sure, Amazon can boost sales… but it’s not a community. And if you’re serious about longevity, superfans, and NOT letting one tech giant decide your future, you’ve got to build something bigger, smarter, and more human.

We break down:

Whether you're indie, hybrid, trad-curious, or just here for the snark, this episode helps you ditch the dependence, diversify your reach, and build a thriving community of real humans who actually care about your work.

Like. Subscribe. Follow.

Your stories matter. Your readers matter. And your community is the backbone of your author business… not just Amazon’s algorithm.

#ProsTalkingProse #AuthorCommunity #AuthorBusiness #IndieAuthorLife #SelfPublishingTips #BookMarketing #WriterCommunity #BuildYourAudience #TikTokAuthors #SubstackWriters #DiscordCommunity #KickstarterBooks #ReadersAndWriters #PublishingIndustry #BookTok #WriteMoreSellMore #AuthorPlatform #PublishingAdvice #IndiePublishing #AuthorCEO

Are authors doomed? Is AI coming for your career? Is Skynet secretly drafting romance novels?

In this heart-forward episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy break down the REAL state of publishing in the age of AI—and why writers absolutely can keep calm and stay human. We talk about the industry shifts, the fear-driven doom loops, and the truth readers keep shouting: authentic, emotional, human-made stories still win every time.

We dig into:

This episode is all about hope, humor, and your unstoppable human voice in the publishing world.

If you’re an author worried about the future—or you just need a pep talk from two publishing pros who refuse to fear the robot uprising—this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the Pros Talking Prose community for more brutally honest, weirdly helpful industry insights every week.

#prostalkingprose #AuthorLife #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #FutureOfPublishing #AIForAuthors #YourStoryMatters #StayHuman #BookMarketingTips #SelfPublishing #humanonly

Buckle up, writers—Stacey’s flying solo this week, and that means no Troy, no filter. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey dives into the now-infamous Author Nation Incident, breaks down why some folks in the writing world are acting like A-holes, and asks the big question: Is SHE the A-hole… or just the only one saying the quiet parts out loud?

From awkward run-ins with industry “celebrities,” to the bizarre rule that authors supposedly can’t comment on their own reviews, to the shocking meltdown in a conference class (yes… the Tarot Lady situation), Stacey dishes the real talk every writer needs.

If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate author etiquette, reader spaces, writer drama, or your own creative boundaries, this episode hits all the right nerves—with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of Stacey energy.

Covered Topics:

Whether you’re an indie author, a publishing pro, or someone who needs a petty little laugh today, this episode is for you.

Don’t forget to subscribe, drop a comment, and tell Stacey: Was she the A-hole… or just right?

What happens when you drop two publishing pros into Las Vegas for Author Nation? Chaos. Camaraderie. And maybe a little karaoke.

Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert as they broadcast straight from Author Nation 2025, running on caffeine, conference buzz, and too many industry secrets to count. From fangirling over Joanna Penn in the bathroom to plotting with Michael Evans about AI, Kickstarters, and creative constraints, this episode is a highlight reel of inspiration, laughter, and mild professional mischief.

We’re talking Becca Syme’s happiness cycle, Drew’s “Creativity Cube,” organic marketing that actually works (yes, TikTok can sell books), and why the biggest names in publishing are usually the most humble. Whether you’re a first-time author or a battle-hardened indie, this episode will make you feel like you’re right there with us—laughing, learning, and recharging your writer battery in Sin City.

Highlights:

The real secret to surviving (and thriving at) conferences

Hit play, grab your badge, and let’s get author-nationed

#AuthorNation2025 #IndiePublishing #SelfPublishingTips #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #AuthorLife #PrintToPro #ProsTalkingProse #AIForAuthors #BookConferences #WritersConference #Authorpreneur #BeccaSyme #KickstarterBooks #WritingMotivation #CreativeConstraints