Pros Talking Prose

True crime fans and thriller writers, beware: your story might be committing a felony. In this hilariously unfiltered episode, Stacey and Troy dive into the crime-writing crimes that make editors weep and readers rage-quit. From interrogations without Miranda rights to chairs jammed under hospital doorknobs (yes, that happened), we dissect the rookie mistakes authors make when writing police proce...

Are you writing for algorithms or for actual humans? In this refreshingly honest episode of Pros Talking Prose, we’re joined by indie author legend Johnny B. Truant to talk about his upcoming book, The Artisan Author, a rebellious, soul-restoring manifesto for authors who are done with burnout and ready to love writing again. We dive into: The myth of rapid release Why chasing bestseller lists is...

Is AI the villain in the author’s downfall—or are readers, publishers, and even fellow writers part of the problem? In this fiery episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy and Stacey unpack the emotional, ethical, and legal minefield of AI-generated content in publishing. From TikTok's “100% Human” trend to copyright battles and the philosophical death of the author, we ask the hard questions: What is a...

Think your book is getting picked up for a Netflix deal out of the blue? Think again. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dive headfirst into the glittery garbage fire of scams targeting indie authors. From fake PR packages and “guaranteed” bestsellers to shady Netflix pitches and vanity publishers masquerading as the real deal, we’re calling B.S. on the most common traps in you...

Haters gonna hate, and trolls gonna troll—but what does that mean for authors? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dive into the dark, weird, and sometimes hilarious world of negative reviews, trolls, hate mail, and DM drama. From a grandma’s unexpected 3-star critique to a one-star reviewer who can’t spell "plagiarism," they share real-life stories (some absurd, some serious) a...

Diversity in fiction doesn’t mean tossing in a rainbow cast like it’s a checklist. In this episode, Stacey and Troy tackle the awkward, over-the-top, and downright cringey ways authors attempt diversity—and how to actually write inclusive stories that don’t scream “I’m trying too hard.” We break down: When and why to include diverse characters How to avoid stereotypes, soapbox moments, and tokenis...

Ever woken up at 3 AM with a plot twist so good you were convinced it wasn’t entirely your idea? Yeah—same.  In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy go full woo (but keep it grounded) as they explore the mysterious, magical, and mildly unhinged side of the creative process. From dream downloads to possessed plotlines, sacred rituals to intuitive writing, we’re pulling back the veil...

Tired of every protagonist having a tragic backstory, a clinical diagnosis, and a mountain of unresolved childhood trauma? SAME. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy sit down with licensed therapist and voracious reader Jeanne Anderson to dismantle the overuse of trauma tropes in fiction. We’re talking big T vs. little t trauma, emotional growth without catastrophe, and how to av...

Think getting your book "in bookstores" guarantees big sales? Think again. In this brutally honest episode of Pros Talking Prose, publishing coach Stacey Smekofske and author strategist Troy Lambert break down the myths about bookstore distribution, author royalties, and what really moves books. From Amazon algorithms to the truth about IngramSpark and KDP, we're exposing the industry's best-kept...

Think publishing is just writing a book and hitting “upload”? Think again. In this raw and real episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy break down the true financial equation of getting your book into the world, whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or chasing that traditional dream. This is a long one, and I am sort of sorry about that but there was a lot to cover.  We get int...

Can Kickstarter actually help you market your book, or is it just a time-consuming gimmick wrapped in fancy rewards? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert wade into the wild world of book marketing to unpack what Kickstarter really offers authors. They discuss:     The real definition of marketing (and why most authors hate it)     Whether Kickstarter is a market...

In this brutally honest and wildly relatable episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert unpack everything from conference chaos to business pivots—and the surprising comfort in realizing that none of us have it all figured out. Fresh from the Storymakers conference in Utah, Stacey shares real talk about fear of failure and why marketing still sends most authors into a full-bo...

Think writing a book with one timeline is hard? Try two. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dive headfirst into the chaotic brilliance of dual timelines—the literary device that can elevate your story or leave your readers hopelessly confused. They’ll spill all the tea on:     Why your timelines must be in sync (yes, even fantasy ones)     What genres love a l...

Feeling fried, frazzled, or just one rejection away from a creative meltdown? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dive into the mental health side of writing — the part no one talks about, but everyone struggles with. From managing expectations and protecting your creative energy, to setting boundaries and celebrating small wins, this episode is your reminder that your brain des...

In Episode 19 of Pros Talking Prose, we dive deep into a crucial topic every author must face: pivoting in your author career. If you're feeling the shifting winds of the publishing world—declining sales, changing markets, new technologies—you’re not alone. Pivot or perish isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s the survival skillset every serious author needs. Join Stacey Smekofske of Edits by Stacey an...

Think publishing is all about getting that book deal and watching the royalties roll in? Think again. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert are pulling back the curtain on the unspoken (and often uncomfortable) truths about traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing. We’re talking:     The real reason your book might never get picked up 📉     Why publishers aren’t...

You finally sent out that email. You were clever. You added a GIF. You even used your best subject line. And then… crickets. 🦗 Is your email list giving you the silent treatment? Ghosting you like a bad Tinder date? We’ve been there—and in this episode, we’re bringing the list back to life.  Join publishing pros Stacey Smekofske (of Edits by Stacey) and Troy Lambert (The Plot Dude) as we unpack a...

From Lost to Found: Using Genre & Metadata to Skyrocket Book Sales with Stacey Smekofske & Troy Lambert "The Plot Dude” Ever feel like you picked the wrong genre and now your book is in the witness protection program on Amazon? 😅 You're not alone—and we've got answers. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dish on the spicy world of genre and subgenre trends. We’re talkin...

💸 Taxes for Authors? Don’t Panic — We’ve Got You Covered!  Cue the dramatic music—it's tax season, and authors everywhere are asking the big questions: 🧾 What can I deduct? 📦 Do I need to save these Amazon royalty statements? 💰 Why does the IRS feel like the ultimate plot twist? In this laugh-so-you-don’t-cry episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy tackle the not-so-glamorous but totall...

Buckle up, writers! In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske (Edits by Stacey) and Troy Lambert the Plot Dude spill the literary tea on the worst advice authors keep hearing—and believing. From publishing myths to marketing mayhem and writing rules gone rogue, we’re calling out the cringe, so you don’t have to learn the hard way. 🙈 Do you think: – “Your book will sell itself!” – “Y...

📚 FREE vs. PAID ISBNs: To buy or not to buy. That is the question 🤺  Pros Talking Prose Podcast 🔥 Self-publishing authors, LISTEN UP! Are free ISBNs a sneaky trap? Or are purchased ISBNs just a money grab from the publishing overlords? Troy Lambert (The Plot Dude) and Stacey Smekofske (Edits by Stacey) go head-to-head in this spicy debate over one of indie publishing’s most controversial questi...

Strap in, book nerds—this episode of Pros Talking Prose is bringing the tea, the shade, and the swivel chairs. Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert wade into the latest literary landmines: the Romance Writers of America’s bankruptcy spiral, Neil Gaiman’s headline-making drama, the ousting of Ream’s CEO, and more industry shenanigans you didn’t know you needed to know. But it’s not all gossip and gigg...

Troy & Stacey have an Epic Rant on AI, Authors, and Art! Welcome to Pros Talking Prose, where Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske dive headfirst into the wild world of writing, editing, and publishing! In this episode, they tackle the hot topic of AI and its role in the literary universe, among other things. Troy, the plot dude extraordinaire, is armed with his trusty manuscript-polishing skills...

📚 Calling all writers! If you're looking to enhance your writing experience, boost productivity, and create exceptional content, Troy and Stacey got your number. In this video, we explore a curated list of must-have tools that every writer should consider incorporating into their creative arsenal. From brainstorming to polishing your final draft, these resources are designed to make your writing...

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy don't mince words when they discuss the latest tea in the industry. FindawayVoices ticked off everyone when they changed their contract and were caught red-handed. Amazon keeps changing their algorithm and short-sheeting the self-published author. What does this mean for you? Listen as Troy and Stacey talk about the ways authors should pivot i...