Pros Talking Prose

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 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 d...

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

Are you setting ambitious author goals… or accidentally gaslighting yourself into burnout? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert kick off the new year with a no-BS conversation about realistic author goals, metrics that actually matter, and why chasing the wrong numbers is the fastest way to hate your writing life. We dig into the KPIs authors should be tracking...

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 aut...

Publishing didn’t explode in 2025. It didn’t collapse either. It… buffered. 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...

The publishing industry is chaotic, glitchy, and occasionally held together with duct tape—but your story? That part is solid. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dig into the hidden work behind every book you hold—the invisible labor, emotional investment, and sheer number of moving pieces that go into getting a story from a writer’s brain to a reader’s hands. From editors and...

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 m...

Are authors doomed? Is AI coming for your career? Is Skynet secretly drafting romance novels? Spoiler: Nope. Not even close. 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 sh...

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 “celebri...

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...

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.  In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we spill the (iced) tea on our upcoming Author Nation adventures, dish out some not-so-secret secrets about the future of publishing, and talk writer retreats, renovation madness, and why every author needs to stop waitin...

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...

Part 1: Reclaiming Your Power When the Publisher Pulls the Plug What do you do when your publisher suddenly closes its doors? In this special mini-episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert break down what every author needs to know when the press that published your book goes belly-up. From the first “don’t panic” moment to the step-by-step checklist for reclaiming your righ...

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: Why craft alone won’t sell your book...

It's every author’s nightmare: you’ve written a book, hit “publish,” and… crickets. No sales, no clicks, no clue what to do next. 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: Spent more on ads than you made in royalties Felt personally victimized by the word...

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 you...

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 edito...

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 missi...

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...

"It was a pleasure to burn." Your first chapter can make or break your book, so why not learn from one of the greatest? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy crack open Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 to show exactly why its opening pages are unforgettable and how you can steal those techniques for your own writing. We’ll break down: The blazing first line that hooks readers instant...

What if your book could become a movie in less than 24 hours? In this explosive and possibly controversial episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy sit down with tech innovator and author Michael Evans to talk about The Movie Machine at Creatorwood—an AI-powered platform that turns novels and scripts into full-fledged films. Is this the future of indie publishing and Hollywood… or the end of...

Rushing to finish your draft? Racing to hit “publish” before your book is ready? Burning out trying to keep up with other authors? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske (editor and publishing coach) and Troy Lambert (author, editor, and plot doctor) unpack why the real secret to success in publishing is simple: time. We break down three key areas where slowing down pays off big:...

If your readers know how to open a door, they don’t need three paragraphs explaining it. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy tackle the infamous “show, don’t tell” debate, armed with examples from The Hunger Games, Twilight, Tolkien, Ernest Hemingway, A Quiet Place, and even Wheel of Time. We dive deep into sensory writing, including how smell, taste, sound, touch, and sight can...

Amazon Strikes Again: Audible’s New Plan Could Gut Your Audiobook Royalties Amazon’s Audible just pulled a move that could quietly slash indie author earnings, and they’re selling it like it’s a gift to creators. Spoiler: it’s not. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy rip the shiny wrapping off Audible’s “Premium Plus” rollout to reveal the fine print that could leave authors ear...