Pros Talking Prose

Taylor Swift may have her Eras Tour, but Stacey and Troy are kicking off their Vegas Era—and things are about to get delightfully chaotic. 

From “we swear we didn’t break into a house” stories to the launch of a publishing venture that’s definitely not a cult, this episode is equal parts ridiculous, revealing, and ridiculously real about what it takes to thrive as an author today.

Topics include:

Subscribe for weekly laughs, brutal honesty, and the occasional Taylor Swift reference.

#AuthorNation #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #BookPublishing #AuthorPodcast #ProsTalkingProse #VegasAuthors #SelfPublishing #WritingRetreats #TaylorSwiftFans #AuthorBusiness

Part 2: “Fuzzy Handcuffs & Freedom

In Part 2 of this mini series about when your publisher goes out of business, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert expose the sneaky “in print” clauses and fuzzy contract language that keep authors chained to old publishing deals. They share exactly how to fight back—professionally, persistently, and legally—so you can reclaim your creative freedom.

You’ll learn:

Whether you’re tangled in outdated terms or trying to protect your next deal, this bite-size episode is your roadmap to freedom.

Don’t get caught in fuzzy handcuffs—listen now and learn how to take back control of your story.

Hashtags:

Part 1: Reclaiming Your Power When the Publisher Pulls the Plug

From the first “don’t panic” moment to the step-by-step checklist for reclaiming your rights, files, and future, this quick chat is packed with insider tips and industry-savvy advice that could save your author career.

You’ll learn:

Whether you were signed with a small press like #DownAndOutPublishing or any other traditional house, this episode will help you pivot with confidence and take control of your IP like a pro.

Tune in, take notes, and remember: it’s not the end of your story—it’s just a new chapter.

#DownAndOutPublishing #ProsTalkingProse #AuthorRights #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishingTips #AuthorBusiness #WritingCommunity #PublishingAdvice #SmallPress #BookPublishing #PrintToPro #InPrintAcademy #AuthorEducation #WritersLife 

Why do brilliant books sometimes flop while mediocre ones soar? In this candid episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert unpack the real difference between a “good book” and a marketable one. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about writing skill — it’s about packaging, positioning, and understanding your reader.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or just planning your debut, this episode will help you bridge the gap between writing a great story and selling a great product.

Mentioned in this episode:

#IndieAuthorTips #BookMarketing #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #AuthorBusiness #ProsTalkingProse #PublishingPodcast #AuthorNation #BookCoversThatSell #AuthorBranding #PrintToPro

It's every author’s nightmare: you’ve written a book, hit “publish,” and… crickets.

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske (Edits by Stacey) and Troy Lambert (The Plot Dude) blow up the myth that there’s a magic formula to selling books.

If you’ve ever:

Stacey and Troy break down the painful truth every author needs to hear—marketing isn’t a one-time event, it’s an ongoing relationship (and no, running Facebook ads isn’t a personality).

Get ready for laughs, reality checks, and the occasional alien abduction as they unpack:

By the end, you’ll stop Googling “how to market my book” and start actually doing it—with fewer tears, less Tide, and zero probing.

#BookMarketing #AuthorProblems #IndieAuthorLife #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #BookPromotion #AuthorBranding #IndiePublishing #AmWriting #WritersLife #MarketingForAuthors #BookBusiness #WritingTips #PublishingAdvice #ProsTalkingProse

Stop Googling your career and actually build one. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske (Edits by Stacey) and Troy Lambert (The Plot Dude) tackle the biggest trap authors fall into: confusing tactics with strategy. Should you go wide or stay exclusive with KDP Select? Redo your book cover or launch a special edition? Chase the NaNoWriMo word count or slow down to actually hit your long-term goals? We break it all down—without the fluff Google keeps feeding you.

Tune in for:

Whether you’re indie, hybrid, or still figuring out your lane, this episode will help you stop spinning your wheels and start steering your author career with intention.

Subscribe for weekly no-nonsense author business insights.

#indieauthor #selfpublishing #indiepublishing #bookmarketing #authorgoals #writingtips #bookstrategy #writingpodcast #prostalkingprose #writinghelp #writingadvice

Building a book is bigger than just writing—it’s about choosing the right team to bring your story to life.  Buckle up, this is a long one. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske (Edits by Stacey) and Troy Lambert (The Plot Dude) pull back the curtain on what really matters when hiring editors, designers, and other key publishing professionals.

Learn how to spot red flags in editors before they derail your book.

Whether you’re a first-time indie author or a seasoned pro, your publishing team determines whether your book soars or sinks. Don’t gamble with your story—tune in and learn how to choose wisely.

Subscribe for more episodes of Pros Talking Prose, where we talk publishing secrets, writing craft, author business, and everything in between.

#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #BookEditing #WritingCommunity #ProsTalkingProse #AuthorTips #PublishingTeam

In the wake of recent events, free speech is once again under fire. But what does that mean for authors? In this episode, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dive deep into the role writers play in shaping conversations, protecting humanity, and telling stories that challenge perspectives without silencing voices.

We’ll tackle:

Why free speech and book banning are inseparable from the author’s mission.

How outrage culture and algorithms trap us in echo chambers.

The difference between harmful speech and the critical conversations we need.

What authors can learn from villains, conflict, and empathy in storytelling.

Why stories—more than slogans—are what move people and protect our shared humanity.

Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in the middle, one truth remains: authors have a responsibility to write bravely, think critically, and connect deeply.

Because stories don’t just entertain—they build bridges, break barriers, and keep the human spirit alive. 

Subscribe for more author insights: writing craft, publishing truths, and the business behind the books.

#FreeSpeech #Authors #Storytelling #BookBanning #ProsTalkingProse #IndieAuthors #WritingCommunity

Anthropic Settlement Shocker!  The motion for settlement in the Anthropic lawsuit has the author world buzzing—but here’s the truth no one’s telling you: most authors won’t see a dime unless they took the right steps before their books were pirated by AI.

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske (Edits by Stacey) and Troy Lambert break down what the settlement actually means, how it sets a precedent for future lawsuits, and why things like purchasing your own ISBNs, registering your copyright, and distributing through legitimate channels are non-negotiable if you want “teeth in the game.”

Plus, Troy finally concedes Stacey was right about ISBNs (cue the victory music).

Tune in to learn:

Resources mentioned: Authors Alliance, Writers Guild, Copyright.gov

#Anthropic #AISettlement #AuthorsRights #ISBN #Copyright #writerslife #authorproblems #authorsofyoutube #indiepublishing #SelfPublishing #ProsTalkingProse #IndieAuthors

"It was a pleasure to burn."

We’ll break down:

Whether you’re writing speculative fiction, romance, thrillers, or nonfiction, if your first chapter doesn’t spark curiosity, readers won’t stick around. This episode is your blueprint to creating an irresistible opening that ignites your story and keeps the fire burning.

Writers, don’t let your book fizzle out on page one. Tune in, take notes, and learn how to craft a first chapter that shines.

FREE RESOURCE:

#WritingTips #FirstChapters #AuthorLife #AmWriting #SpecFic #Fahrenheit451 #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #NovelWriting #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor