Pros Talking Prose

Ep 18: What No One Tells You Until It’s Too Late: The Unspoken Rules of Publishing

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 your fairy godmothers 🧚‍♀️
    The “advance” trap (spoiler: it’s not free money) 💸
    What actually happens after you hit "publish" 🚨
    And why nobody will ever care about your book as much as you do ❤️‍🔥

This episode is equal parts truth serum and tough love, perfect for anyone who’s ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?”

👀 Mentioned in this episode:
📚 [FREE] Find your best-fit publishing path → https://editsbystacey.thrivecart.com/paper-trail/
🎓 Enroll in the InPrint Academy → https://ebs.printtopro.com/get-inprint-academy
📅 Register for the next live webinar: “Author to Authorpreneur” → https://ebs.printtopro.com/authorpreneur-signup

💬 What’s one publishing truth you wish you had learned sooner? Drop it in the comments!
👍 Like this episode? Give us a thumbs up, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

#PublishingTruths #SelfPublishingTips #TraditionalPublishing #HybridPublishing #AuthorAdvice #WritersLife #InPrintAcademy #ProsTalkingProse #BookMarketing #Authorpreneur

Ep 17: Why Your Email List Is Ghosting You—And How to Get Them Back

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 all the non-boring, effective ways authors can re-engage their email subscribers and turn inbox tumbleweeds into raving fans.
We’re talking:
    What’s trending in 2025 for email engagement
    Creative strategies that go way beyond the monthly newsletter
    And how to stop sounding like a robot and start sounding like YOU (but cooler)

We mention a very short window to access Encharge Email Service 
You can find that deal here: https://appsumo.com/products/encharge/?query=Encharge%20-%20Plus%20Exclusive#overview 

PLUS: Stacey drops the details on her upcoming "Author to Authorpreneur" webinar—perfect for any writer ready to trade chaos for confidence in their author business. Limited spots, big glow-up energy.
https://ebs.printtopro.com/authorpreneur-signup

📚 And if you're looking to level up for real, check out InPrint Academy—Stacey’s flagship course that helps indie authors publish like pros, protect their rights, and create books that can compete in today’s market.
https://ebs.printtopro.com/get-inprint-academy

🎙️ Your Hosts:
Stacey Smekofske – Editor, publishing coach, creative cheerleader, and founder of Edits by Stacey and Print to Pro.
Troy Lambert – Author, editor, plot wizard, and the guy who can outline your whole trilogy while you make coffee

👋 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like
🔔 Subscribe
📝 Drop a comment with your most awkward email moment (we’ll laugh with you, not at you… probably)

Welcome to Pros Talking Prose—where we get real (and a little ridiculous) about writing, publishing, and turning your author dream into a thriving business.

Ep 16: From Lost to Found: Using Genre & Metadata to Skyrocket Book Sales

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 talking Amazon metadata, BISAC codes, category updates, and how to position your book so it doesn’t end up buried under a pile of vampire cowboys and spicy mermaid thrillers.
Troy even pulls out a K-lytics deep dive on Cozy Fantasy (spoiler: it’s ✨magically trending✨) and we share our favorite tools for choosing the right genre and categories when publishing.
Here’s what we cover:
• Why genre and subgenre choices are crucial for your book marketing
• How to avoid getting stuck in the wrong Amazon category
• The surprising power of metadata and how to use it like a pro
• Tips for staying on top of Amazon’s shifting categories
• Tools we use to research genre trends, reader demand, and competition
🔥 Whether you're writing romantasy, cozy mystery, sci-fi western horror, or something uniquely you, this convo is packed with insights to help you find your ideal readers.
📚 Learn more about turning your story into a pro-level product Stacey at www. EditsbyStacey.com
✍️ Plot stuck? Genre confused? Get Troy's genius at Troy Lambert Writes
 
📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more publishing industry tips, writing craft insights, and behind-the-scenes nerdy fun with fellow authorpreneurs.
#SelfPublishing #GenreTrends #CozyFantasy #AmazonCategories #InPrintAcademy #ThePlotDude #BookMarketingTips #AuthorBusiness #Klytics #MetadataMatters #TroyLambert #IndieAuthors #BookLaunchTips #PublishingStrategy

Ep 15: Taxes for Authors: Don't Let the IRS Be Your Plot Twist

💸 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 totally necessary world of taxes for authors. Whether you're self-published, indie, hybrid, or traditionally published, if you're earning income from your writing, this episode is for YOU.

We dive into:
What counts as author income (spoiler: yes, even that $3.75 from your poetry zine)
Deductions you didn’t know you could take (like Canva Pro and conference coffee!)
Why quarterly taxes are a thing (and how not to cry about them)
Home office hacks
And how to not get on the IRS’s bad side (we’re writers, not rebels… right?)

BONUS: Download our free Author Tax Prep Checklist — because nothing says “responsible authorpreneur” like a checklist.
👉https://staceysmekofskesteafc97d.myclickfunnels.com/author-tax-prep-checklist--3d7e5

CHECK THESE OUT: 
TroyLambertWrites.com - The Plot Dude has his SEO for Authors ready for you. 

Want to take your writing biz to the next level?
Sign up for our upcoming webinar: Author to Authorpreneur at EditsByStacey.com
And check out InPrint Academy where authors can publish with clarity and confidence and maintain their rights and royalties.
You can also grab your free publishing path map: Paper Trail

Ep 14: Bad Advice for Authors: What Not To Do

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!”
– “You don’t need an editor!”
– “Write every day or else!”
Yeah… no.
Whether you're indie, trad, or somewhere in between, this episode is your official permission slip to laugh, learn, and let go of the nonsense.
👉 Don’t forget to hit subscribe, share with your writing crew, and leave a comment with the worst advice you’ve ever received!
Connect with Stacey at EditsbyStacey.com
Connect with Troy Lambert at TroyLambertWrites.com
#ProsTalkingProse #BadAdviceForAuthors #AuthorLife #WritingTips #IndieAuthors #BookMarketing #Plottr #loveyoureditor #printtopro

Ep 13: ISBN Debate: Buy or Not to Buy, That is the Question

📚 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 questions. 🤯
💥 Spoiler Alert: The right answer depends on YOUR author goals! Whether you're an indie rebel or a control freak about your publishing empire, we break down the pros, cons, and hidden costs of ISBN decisions.
👉 In this episode, we answer:
✔️ Do you REALLY need to buy your own ISBN, or is the free one good enough?
✔️ Will using a free ISBN secretly sabotage your book’s success? 😱
✔️ What’s the REAL difference between a Bowker ISBN and a KDP-assigned one?
✔️ How much control do you actually lose with a free ISBN? (Hint: More than you think.)
✔️ Does an ISBN affect distribution, royalties, bookstores, and libraries?
😂 We also curse Amazon’s nepotistic ways, and puzzle on Troy’s choice of footwear (JK). 
🔔 Don’t make a rookie mistake! Watch now and drop your ISBN hot takes in the comments! Are you #TeamFreeISBN or #TeamOwnYourISBN? ⬇️
#SelfPublishing #ISBN #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #ProsTalkingProse #EditsByStacey #ThePlotDude #ISBNDebate #BookPublishing #IndiePublishing #AuthorBusiness

Ep 12: Lit Fallout

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 giggles—we’re also dishing out real talk about professionalism, cancel culture, and why being decent still matters (even when everyone’s losing their minds online).

Expect:
🔥 Hot takes
📚 Publishing insights
💅 Just enough sass to keep your coffee warm

Hit play for your weekly dose of honesty, hilarity, and hard truths from the publishing frontlines.
#PublishingDrama
#WritingCommunity
#AuthorNews
#RWA2025
#NeilGaiman
#ReamWriting
#CancelCultureDebate
#IndieAuthorLife
#ProsTalkingProse
#PublishingScandals
#WriterSupport
#LitTea
#HotTakesInPublishing
#BookIndustryNews
#AuthorAccountability
#WritersUnite
#AmWriting
#BookishBuzz
#WritingPodcast
#BehindTheBookBiz

Ep 11: An Authors Purpose

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, ready to take on any plot twist thrown his way. Meanwhile, Stacey, the publishing guru, is here to guide authors through the publishing maze faster than you can say "bestseller."

Join this dynamic duo as they debunk the myth that AI is the enemy of progress. With Troy's witty one-liners and Stacey's no-nonsense approach, they'll have you laughing and learning in no time.

#AIInPublishing
#WritersVsAI
#WritingWithAI
#CreativeProcess
#AuthorJourney
#WritingCommunity
#AmWriting
#WritingDebate
#IndieAuthorLife
#ProsTalkingProse
#WritingPodcast
#BookCoach
#PlotTwistLife
#ArtVsCommerce
#IWGConference
#WritersConference2025
#PublishingIndustry
#StorytellingTools
#AIForWriters
#AuthorSupport

But that's not all! They also tackle the age-old debate of "art for art's sake." Spoiler alert: they think it's dumb! According to them, every writer's journey is unique, so comparing yourself to others is like comparing apples to... well, plot twists!

Learn why you should go to writers' conferences, and especially come to see Troy and Stacey at the IWG writers conference this weekend (April 11 - 13). We will have amazing authors and pros from around the country, including James A. Owen, Becca Syme, Claire Taylor, and J. Thorne. Go to IdahoWritersGuild.org for more information.

So grab your popcorn, settle in, and prepare to be entertained, enlightened, and maybe even inspired to write your own epic masterpiece. Don't forget to hit subscribe and join the Pros Talking Prose family today!