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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 Apr 11, 2026
Saturday Apr 11, 2026
Let’s just say the quiet part out loud…
Most writers say they want honest feedback until they actually get it.
In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we’re diving headfirst into one of the most uncomfortable (and necessary) parts of being an author: criticism. We aren’t talking about the fluffy kind of feedback; we aren’t giving you the “you’re doing amazing, sweetie” kind. We are addressing the real kind. You know, the kind that actually makes your book better.
Truth is, if feedback makes you angry, it’s probably doing its job.
We break down:
- Why authors have BIG, but fragile, egos
- What’s actually happening when you get defensive over edits
- The difference between criticism that builds your book and validation that keeps it stuck
- How AI and “safe spaces” are quietly making writers weaker
- Why your first draft is not supposed to be good (and never was)
- What to do when feedback hits hard (without blowing up your editor relationship)
We’re also pulling back the curtain on real client experiences and what happens when authors lean in… and what happens when they walk away. Spoiler Alert: One path leads to growth. The other leads to a book that never reaches its potential.
And yeah… we talk about the ego. A lot. Because at the end of the day, resistance to growth and learning is stunting your progress. So, if you want to be a better writer, not just a published one, this is the conversation you need to hear.
Some Resources we mention:
✔️ Explore InPrint Academy – your full publishing roadmap https://learning.printtopro.com/inprint-academy-discount/
✔️ Start with Paper Trail – find your publishing path https://learning.printtopro.com/paper-trail/
✔️ Find tools + trainings to help you remove AI voice and strengthen your manuscript at PrintToPro.com
Join us at Fjeldheim Writers Retreat: https://fjeldheimwritersretreat.com
ABOUT THE PODCAST
Pros Talking Prose is brutally honest, weirdly helpful, and always entertaining.
We talk writing, publishing, and the author business, without the fluff.
#WritingAdvice #AmWriting #AuthorLife #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #BookEditing #WritersOfYouTube #AuthorBusiness #CreativeProcess #WritersBlock #AIWriting #IndieAuthors #WritingTips #PublishingTips #Ego #Criticism
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