x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Pros Talking Prose

Stacey Smekofske

Writing a book is hard. Publishing it is even harder. Succeeding as an author? That’s practically wizardry. Good thing you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Pros Talking Prose is your backstage pass to the writing and publishing world, hosted by seasoned pros Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert. We’ll help you skip the mistakes, laugh through the chaos, and build the writing career you actually want without the smoke and mirrors. New episodes every week. Therapy not included — but highly

arts books

All Episodes

35:01

Our Author Nation Highlights: Update from the Largest...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/11/08

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

en

53:17

Swifties, Secrets, and Shenanigans: Plotting Our...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/11/01

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 waiting for permission to go pro. From “we swear we didn’t break into a house” stories to the launch of a

en

13:47

Your Publisher is Out of Business - Now What?: Part 2

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/10/25

Part 2: “Fuzzy Handcuffs & FreedomIn 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: What “in print” really means in modern contracts How to get your rights reverted (even when your

en

13:23

Your Publisher is Out of Business: Now What?

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/10/25

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 rights, files, and future, this quick chat is packed with insider tips and industry-savvy advice that could

en

56:47

Every Book is Marketable: If you Know How to Package it.

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/10/18

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 — and what actually will. The 3 pillars of a marketable book: craft, packaging, and positioning. How to

en

79:57

Tide Pods, Alien Probes, & Author Marketing: A...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/10/11

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 “algorithm” Wondered why no one is finding your book on Amazon Tried to “build your brand” without

en

75:46

Stop Googling Your Career: Strategy vs. Tactics That...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/10/04

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: Why

en

102:56

The Publishing Team That Could Make or Break You: How...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/09/27

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. Understand the different types of editing (developmental, copy, line,

en

80:06

The Author's Responsibility in a Divided World

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/09/20

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

en

61:27

Anthropic Settlement Shocker: Why Most Authors Won’t...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/09/13

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

en

105:36

From Spark to Wildfire: Crafting Irresistible First...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/09/05

"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 instantly How to introduce a protagonist without info-dumping Setting the tone, genre, and stakes in just a few

en

01:11:00

Books to Blockbusters in a Day?! Michael Evans on the...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/08/30

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 creativity as we know it? We dig into the controversy, the possibilities, and what this means for

en

01:31:25

Slow the $%^# Down: Quality Over Speed: Building an...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/08/23

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: Writing Journey – Why drafts need to simmer, how beta readers strengthen your story, and why resting

en

01:18:32

Stop Describing the Door and Just Leave Already!: How...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/08/16

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 trigger powerful reader memories (yes, Jacob’s fur and sour milk included). We talk about why “and

en

01:05:22

Authors Beware: Audible’s New Plan Could Cost You Big

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/08/09

Amazon Strikes Again: Audible’s New Plan Could Gut Your Audiobook RoyaltiesAmazon’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 earning less than ever. Think Kindle Unlimited for audiobooks… but with even more ways for Amazon to keep

en

01:33:02

CSI: Crap Scene Investigation - Write Crime Right

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/08/02

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 procedurals, murder mysteries, and true crime-inspired fiction. Whether you're spinning a serial killer saga

en

01:10:11

Stop Chasing Algorithms: Write Like an Artisan

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/07/26

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 killing your creativity How to attract 1,000 true fans (and why that’s enough) The “Bookstore of You”

en

01:38:36

AI Didn’t Kill the Author. You Did.

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/07/19

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 authorship in the age of machines? Can a bot tell a human story—or just mimic one? And what happens when

en

01:04:59

Ep 30: Scambaiting for Authors: Avoiding Those Inbox...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/07/12

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 your inbox.What We Cover: How scammers find your author info (hint: it’s not witchcraft, it’s public

en

01:17:19

Ep 28: Bad Reviews and Brutal Trolls - Surviving...

Pros Talking Prose ·

2025/07/05

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) and offer seasoned advice on how to handle criticism without spiraling.You’ll hear: How to respond

en

49 results

Similar Podcasts

Start The Breakthrough Full Audiobook Now, Thriller Fans!

thebookvoice.com

Get Hooked On The Life-Enhancing Full Audiobook Experience!

thebookvoice.com

西四五条

主播郑捕头

Podcast Patapoe

0d0a

On Mic Podcast

Jordan Rich