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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 encouraged.
Episodes
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
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 databases)
Why “Congratulations! You’ve been selected…” should send you running
Red flags in marketing, awards, publishing contracts, and pay-to-play podcasts
The truth behind those $20,000 “promo packages” (spoiler: we’ve seen what’s inside)
How to protect your privacy without becoming a hermit with no brand
This episode is part cautionary tale, part scam-swatting workshop, and full of hard-earned insights that could save you thousands. Whether you're a newbie author or a seasoned pro, this one’s required listening if you want to market your book without getting mugged on Main Street.
Mentioned tools & tips:
PO boxes, reCAPTCHA, double opt-ins
The ALLi Self-Publishing Watchdog list: https://selfpublishingadvice.org/self-publishing-services-watchdog/
Why authors should Google everything and trust nothing that starts with “Dear Author…”
Listen in, laugh a little, and get scam-savvy. Your author dreams deserve more than snake oil and empty promises.
Subscribe and check out more at:
PrintToPro.com
ThePlotAbides.com
#AuthorScams #SelfPublishingTips #BookMarketingFails #VanityPress #PublishingScams #WritingPodcast #AuthorMarketing #IndieAuthorHelp #ProsTalkingProse #Scambaiting #authorbusiness #authorproblems
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