Pros Talking Prose

You Don't Want an Editor, You Want Validation

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

AI Isn't the Problem. How You Use It Is.

Everyone’s arguing about AI in publishing, but they’re missing the point.
AI isn’t going anywhere. Authors are using it for everything from brainstorming to drafting entire manuscripts, but here’s the reality no one wants to say out loud: You STILL have to do the work.
I created a tool to help! It's FREE and you can download it HERE: 
https://learning.printtopro.com/cleaning-ai-from-your-prose/

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we break down what’s actually happening when authors rely on AI and why so many books are starting to feel flat, predictable, and disconnected. More importantly, we walk you through how to use AI without losing your voice, your originality, or your readers.
We’re not here to tell you to ditch AI, instead, we are showing you how to use it correctly... and what happens when you don’t.

Inside this episode:
Why readers can feel AI writing (even if they can’t explain it)
The biggest mistakes authors make when using AI tools
What editors are seeing behind the scenes right now
Why “fixing it with prompts” doesn’t actually work
How to scrub AI out of your manuscript (the right way)
What you need to do before you hire an editor (and save yourself money)

If you’re using AI in your writing (or even thinking about it) this is the conversation you need to hear before you hit publish. 

#WritingTips #AuthorLife #SelfPublishing #AIWriting #AmWriting #IndieAuthors #BookMarketing #WritingCommunity #Editors #PublishingTips

Authors Are Panicking Over “Shy Girl” But They’re Missing The Point

The internet is losing its mind over the “Shy Girl” controversy, but most authors are reacting instead of thinking.

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we break down what’s actually happening beneath the surface of the debate. There are a lot of AI accusations, publishing decisions, reader reactions, and a bigger issue no one seems to be talking about.

This really matters to authors because it reveals some issues with the future of publishing, author responsibility, and trust in an AI-driven industry.

We’re not here to pile on or pick sides, but we are here to slow it down, strip out the noise, and talk about what this means for you as an author.

Inside this episode:

What really sparked the “Shy Girl” controversy
Why AI detection is more unreliable than people think
The role readers, editors, and publishers are playing in the chaos
What authors are getting completely wrong right now
The real risk to your author career (hint: it’s not AI)
Why honesty and transparency matter more than ever

This episode is a reality check for authors navigating a rapidly shifting publishing landscape.
If you’re writing, publishing, or building an author business right now, 
you need to understand what’s actually going on here.

#ShyGirl #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #AIWriting #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #AuthorBusiness #BookPublishing #WritersOfYouTube #IndieAuthors

Why Most Authors Are Destroying Their Own Brand

Are authors destroying their own brands without realizing it?
In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we’re breaking down one of the biggest shifts happening in publishing right now:
 Books are becoming commodities
 Readers are harder to reach
 And authors are being pushed to produce more… faster… cheaper
But what if that’s the wrong strategy?
We dig into:
• Why the “mass audience” mindset is failing authors
• How platforms like Amazon and Spotify are reshaping value
• What luxury brands (like Burberry) can teach us about exclusivity
• And why building a micro-community of superfans is the real path forward
This episode flips the script on everything authors think they need to succeed.
Because the truth is…
More visibility doesn’t mean more connection
More books doesn’t mean more impact
And more readers doesn’t always mean a better career
If you want to build a sustainable, meaningful author business—this is the conversation you need to hear.
• The difference between selling books vs. building a brand
• Why exclusivity increases perceived value
• How to create reader loyalty that actually lasts
• Practical ways to connect with your audience outside the algorithm
Stop trying to reach everyone.
Start building something people actually care about.

Resources & Links:
• Fjeldheim Writers Retreat (Limited Spots)
https://fjeldheimwritersretreat.com/
• Tertulia Author Websites
https://authors.tertulia.com/?via=print-to-pro@printtopro.com
• Print to Pro Power Sessions
https://printtopro.com/powersessions-2026/

If this episode hits—like, subscribe, and share it with an author who needs to hear it.

#AuthorBusiness #IndiePublishing #WritingCommunity #SelfPublishing #AuthorLife #BookMarketing #WritingTips #PublishingIndustry #Authors #CreativeBusiness

The Publishing Scam Industry is Bigger than Anyone Admits

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we sit down with Angela Hoy, publisher of WritersWeekly and CEO of BookLocker, to expose the growing scam industry preying on writers. From fake publishing companies to bogus movie deals and AI-generated outreach emails, the scams targeting authors are becoming more sophisticated—and more expensive.

Angela has spent decades investigating fraud in the publishing world, helping authors recover lost money and exposing companies that exploit writers’ hopes of being discovered. In this conversation, we pull back the curtain on how these scams work, why they’re increasing, and what authors can do to protect themselves.

We also dive into the evolving role of AI in publishing, the risks it introduces, and the growing concerns surrounding Amazon KDP account terminations and unpaid royalties. If you’re an author navigating today’s publishing landscape, this episode will help you spot red flags before it’s too late.

Whether you’re self-publishing, traditionally publishing, or building an author business, understanding how these scams operate is essential for protecting your work, your rights, and your career.

In this episode we discuss:
The rise of fake publishing companies targeting authors
How scammers are using AI to impersonate industry professionals
The truth behind book-to-movie deal scams
Why Amazon KDP accounts are being terminated
How authors can identify and avoid publishing fraud
The importance of education and industry awareness for authors

Angela also shares real examples of authors losing tens of thousands—and even hundreds of thousands—of dollars to sophisticated scams.
If you’re an author, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Learn more from Angela Hoy
WritersWeekly: https://www.writersweekly.com
BookLocker Publishing: https://publishing.booklocker.com

Pros Talking Prose is a podcast about the craft of writing, the realities of publishing, and the business of being an author. Hosted by Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert, the show explores industry trends, writing craft, and the challenges authors face in today’s publishing world.

#publishing #authors #selfpublishing #writers #amazonkdp #writingcommunity #writingpodcast #bookpublishing #writingtips #indieauthors

When Writing Became a Product Instead of an Art

At some point in modern publishing, something shifted. Writers stopped asking “What story do I need to tell?” and started asking “Will this sell?”

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert tackle a growing problem in the writing world: what happens when authors put the business hat on too early and lose the art of storytelling.

In an era of rapid publishing, AI writing tools, and constant pressure to monetize creativity, many writers are approaching their craft like a product before it’s even a story. But great books (books that actually connect with readers) don’t start as products. They start as art.

Stacey and Troy dig into the tension between creative expression and commercial publishing, why writers are feeling more pressure than ever to produce marketable content, and how putting business considerations ahead of the creative process can sabotage both the story and the author’s long-term career.

They also explore why discomfort, conflict, and honest storytelling are essential to powerful writing—and why authors shouldn’t be afraid to challenge readers or tackle difficult topics.

If you're a writer trying to balance craft, creativity, and the realities of the publishing business, this conversation will help you rethink where the art belongs in your process.
Because the truth is simple: The story has to exist before it can ever become a product.

In This Episode
• Why putting the “commercial hat” on too early can damage your story
• The difference between writing as art vs. writing as a product
• How AI and rapid publishing are changing the creative process
• Why conflict, discomfort, and honest storytelling matter
• When authors should actually start thinking about the business side of publishing
• The balance between creative freedom and audience expectations

Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for:
Fiction and nonfiction authors
Indie and traditionally published writers
Writers struggling with creative burnout
Authors navigating AI and modern publishing pressures
Anyone building an author business without losing their creative voice

#WritingPodcast #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #WritingCraft #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #PublishingIndustry #Storytelling #CreativeProcess

The Truth Behind AI, Your Words, and Amazon

AI can draft your book.
But can you legally own it?
In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert sit down with intellectual property attorney Bradlee Frazer to unpack the legal realities behind AI-generated content, copyright ownership, and Amazon’s KDP Terms of Service.
If you’re an author using AI — even just for drafting — this conversation could change how you think about ownership, publishing, and protecting your work.
We cover:
✔️ Why AI-generated content is not automatically copyrightable
✔️ The difference between creation, ownership, and registration
✔️ What Amazon’s KDP Clause 5.5 actually means
✔️ Why “prompting” does NOT equal authorship
✔️ How copyright litigation really works
✔️ The legal risk of uploading AI-generated content
✔️ Why registration matters more than ever
✔️ The inbound vs outbound AI copyright problem
✔️ What happens if someone steals your book
As Brad says: “It’s all academic… until you get sued.”
Copyright isn’t just paperwork.
It’s a $1 trillion driver of the U.S. economy, and your only legal tool to stop someone from stealing and monetizing your work.
If you are:
• A self-published author
• A hybrid author
• A traditionally published author
• A ghostwriter
• A business owner writing a book
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT to draft content
You need to understand this.
This episode breaks down the legal realities without the hype — and without the panic.
Because publishing fast is one thing, protecting your intellectual property is another.
About the Guest
Bradlee Frazer is Chair of the Intellectual Property & Internet Practice Group at Hawley Troxell and has practiced IP law since 1989. He collaborates with authors, creators, and technology companies across the U.S., bringing decades of experience at the intersection of copyright, technology, and ownership.
Resources for Authors
If you want to build a professional publishing strategy that protects your rights, visit:
PrintToPro.com
Subscribe for weekly conversations about:
• Publishing law
• Author business strategy
• Marketing
• Craft
• Industry news
• AI in publishing
Because plot twists are for stories — not your publishing journey.
#CopyrightLaw #AICopyright #AmazonKDP #SelfPublishing #AuthorBusiness #IntellectualProperty #PublishingIndustry #ChatGPT #BookPublishing #ProsTalkingProse

Why Some Books Disappear (And Others Never Die)

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy and Stacey tackle one of the hardest questions authors face:

Are you writing to sell… or writing to last?
After reflecting on the legacy of Robert Duvall and the staying power of cultural classics like The Princess Bride, The Big Lebowski, and The Stand, we dive deep into:

The half-life of a bestseller
Why “writing to market” often fades
The algorithm vs authenticity
Audience of one vs audience of many
Why some books spike… and others endure
What legacy actually means for modern authors
Not every book that pays the bills defines your career.
And not every book that defines your career funds it.
So what are you building?

If you’re serious about writing stories that matter — and still navigating the realities of publishing — this conversation is for you.

 Tell us in the comments:
Are you writing to market… or writing to matter?

Resources Mentioned:
Craft Lab with Troy – Character Motivation
Print to Pro Power Sessions
Upcoming episode with Brad Frazer on KDP Clause 5.5

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AuthorLife #IndieAuthor #BookMarketing #CreativeProcess #PublishingIndustry #WritersOfYouTube