Pros Talking Prose

The Industry is Rebooting & Authors Are Feeling It

Publishing didn’t explode in 2025.
It didn’t collapse either.
It… buffered.

In this gloriously chaotic year-in-review episode, Stacey and Troy talk through what a lot of authors are quietly feeling but rarely saying out loud: the industry hit a reset button, AI showed up like a spicy autocomplete with opinions, reader culture got meaner, expectations got louder, and everyone somehow ended the year exhausted and behind—even when they weren’t.

We unpack:
Why 2025 felt more like a recalibration than a breakout
How AI is actually fitting into the writing process (hint: it’s a tool, not your brain)
The rise of author hate, social pile-ons, and why engaging less might save your career
Why debut novels aren’t sacred cows and perfectionism stalls growth
Burnout, guilt, and why taking real time off might be the most professional move you make
The uncomfortable truth: being human is now a competitive advantage

This episode is part publishing industry analysis, part author survival guide, and part permission slip to stop apologizing for needing rest—especially during the holidays.

And because we apparently can’t stop ourselves, we’re taking this conversation live.

📅 Join us LIVE on the 27th for a real-time Q&A where we’ll talk 2026 goals, publishing strategy, AI realities, and whatever else authors want to throw at us. Come caffeinated. Or tired. Both are valid.

#AuthorBurnout #CreativeBurnout #WritersBlock #WritingPodcast #PublishingIndustry #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #AIandWriting #IndieAuthors #AuthorBusiness #BookPublishing #WritersOfYouTube

The Industry is a Mess, Your Story Isn't

The publishing industry is chaotic, glitchy, and occasionally held together with duct tape—but your story? That part is solid.
In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dig into the hidden work behind every book you hold—the invisible labor, emotional investment, and sheer number of moving pieces that go into getting a story from a writer’s brain to a reader’s hands. From editors and designers to printers, platforms, deadlines, and distribution delays, publishing is rarely simple… and never instant.

We talk about why there are no true emergencies in publishing (even when it feels like everything is on fire), why authors often undervalue their work, and why finishing and publishing a book is more like completing a triathlon than clicking “publish.”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, behind, underpaid, or tempted to quit—this episode is your reminder that:
Your words matter
Your book is not disposable
And the work you’re doing is worth respecting (and pricing accordingly)

Whether you’re an indie author, traditionally published, or still working toward your first finished draft, this conversation will help you step back, breathe, and see the bigger picture of what it truly takes to make books—and why that effort deserves appreciation.

Because the industry might be a mess… but your story isn’t.

#ProsTalkingProse #PublishingPodcast #AuthorLife #IndieAuthors
#BookPublishing #WritingCommunity #WritersOfYouTube
#AuthorMindset #BehindTheBook #BookIndustry
#SelfPublishing #TraditionalPublishing #AuthorBusiness
#WritersSupportWriters #CreativeProcess

Building a Reader Community: Because Amazon Alone is an Inbred Village

In this episode, Troy and Stacey dive into building a real reader community—because relying solely on Amazon is basically letting your author career grow up in an algorithmic inbred village. Sure, Amazon can boost sales… but it’s not a community. And if you’re serious about longevity, superfans, and NOT letting one tech giant decide your future, you’ve got to build something bigger, smarter, and more human.

We break down:
Why Amazon’s ecosystem can’t be your only lifeline
Where real communities are actually forming (TikTok, Discord, Substack & more)
How to create superfans who support your whole author career
What platforms are worth your time—and which ones are slowly draining your soul
The power of human connection in an AI-heavy world
How unique offers (Kickstarters, signed editions, behind-the-scenes content) create true loyalty
Why being authentic beats being “algorithm-friendly” every day of the week
Plus the usual chaos: puppy interruptions, rants, Myspace nostalgia, and questionable metaphors

Whether you're indie, hybrid, trad-curious, or just here for the snark, this episode helps you ditch the dependence, diversify your reach, and build a thriving community of real humans who actually care about your work.

Like. Subscribe. Follow.
Comment (nicely).
Tell us where YOU are building your community—and what’s working.

Your stories matter. Your readers matter. And your community is the backbone of your author business… not just Amazon’s algorithm.

#ProsTalkingProse #AuthorCommunity #AuthorBusiness #IndieAuthorLife #SelfPublishingTips #BookMarketing #WriterCommunity #BuildYourAudience #TikTokAuthors #SubstackWriters #DiscordCommunity #KickstarterBooks #ReadersAndWriters #PublishingIndustry #BookTok #WriteMoreSellMore #AuthorPlatform #PublishingAdvice #IndiePublishing #AuthorCEO

The Human Advantage: Why AI Can’t Kill Publishing

Are authors doomed? Is AI coming for your career? Is Skynet secretly drafting romance novels?
Spoiler: Nope. Not even close.

In this heart-forward episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy break down the REAL state of publishing in the age of AI—and why writers absolutely can keep calm and stay human. We talk about the industry shifts, the fear-driven doom loops, and the truth readers keep shouting: authentic, emotional, human-made stories still win every time.

We dig into:
Why AI can generate words—but not heart, soul, or “WTF just happened?” moments
Why readers don’t want computer-written books
How authors can build community, connection, and longevity in an AI-heavy world
The future of storytelling (hint: YOU still matter—immensely)
Why your weird, wacky, wonderfully human ideas are unbeatable
How to thrive instead of panic as the industry evolves

This episode is all about hope, humor, and your unstoppable human voice in the publishing world.

If you’re an author worried about the future—or you just need a pep talk from two publishing pros who refuse to fear the robot uprising—this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the Pros Talking Prose community for more brutally honest, weirdly helpful industry insights every week.

#prostalkingprose #AuthorLife #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #FutureOfPublishing #AIForAuthors #YourStoryMatters #StayHuman #BookMarketingTips #SelfPublishing #humanonly

When Readers Attack (And Other A-Hole Adventures): Stacey Said WHAT?

Buckle up, writers—Stacey’s flying solo this week, and that means no Troy, no filter. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey dives into the now-infamous Author Nation Incident, breaks down why some folks in the writing world are acting like A-holes, and asks the big question: Is SHE the A-hole… or just the only one saying the quiet parts out loud?

From awkward run-ins with industry “celebrities,” to the bizarre rule that authors supposedly can’t comment on their own reviews, to the shocking meltdown in a conference class (yes… the Tarot Lady situation), Stacey dishes the real talk every writer needs.

If you’ve ever wondered how to navigate author etiquette, reader spaces, writer drama, or your own creative boundaries, this episode hits all the right nerves—with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of Stacey energy.

Covered Topics:
The Author Nation confrontation no one saw coming
Why writers need consequences, not “safe spaces”
Readers, reviews, and the myth of “No Author Allowed”
When creativity clashes with criticism
AITA stories for writers (yes, Reddit gets involved)
Why you absolutely deserve your own writing space

Whether you’re an indie author, a publishing pro, or someone who needs a petty little laugh today, this episode is for you.

Don’t forget to subscribe, drop a comment, and tell Stacey: Was she the A-hole… or just right?
#authors #authornation #writingcommunity #selfpublishing #publishingadvice #writerlife #booktok #indieauthor

Our Author Nation Highlights: Update from the Largest Conference in the USA

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 mischief.

We’re talking Becca Syme’s happiness cycle, Drew’s “Creativity Cube,” organic marketing that actually works (yes, TikTok can sell books), and why the biggest names in publishing are usually the most humble. Whether you’re a first-time author or a battle-hardened indie, this episode will make you feel like you’re right there with us—laughing, learning, and recharging your writer battery in Sin City.

Highlights:

The real secret to surviving (and thriving at) conferences
Why every author needs to “find their tribe”
Publishing gossip, weird German phrases, and karaoke regret.
Hints about what’s coming next from Print to Pro and Alibi Syndicate Press

Hit play, grab your badge, and let’s get author-nationed

#AuthorNation2025 #IndiePublishing #SelfPublishingTips #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #AuthorLife #PrintToPro #ProsTalkingProse #AIForAuthors #BookConferences #WritersConference #Authorpreneur #BeccaSyme #KickstarterBooks #WritingMotivation #CreativeConstraints

Swifties, Secrets, and Shenanigans: Plotting Our Vegas Takeover

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 publishing venture that’s definitely not a cult, this episode is equal parts ridiculous, revealing, and ridiculously real about what it takes to thrive as an author today.
Whether you’re a Swiftie, a storyteller, or just in it for the shenanigans, grab your pen, pour a drink, and join the Vegas takeover.

Topics include:
Author Nation sneak peeks & Vegas mayhem
The secret new publishing venture that’s changing the game
Why “hybrid” doesn’t mean what you think it does
Author retreats, writing community, and creative reinvention
How to build a sustainable author career without losing your mind

Subscribe for weekly laughs, brutal honesty, and the occasional Taylor Swift reference.

#AuthorNation #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthors #BookPublishing #AuthorPodcast #ProsTalkingProse #VegasAuthors #SelfPublishing #WritingRetreats #TaylorSwiftFans #AuthorBusiness

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

Part 2: “Fuzzy Handcuffs & Freedom

In 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 publisher ghosts you)
Why persistence—and a few well-timed emails—can make all the difference
When it’s time to lawyer up or go public
The clauses every author should demand in their next contract

Whether you’re tangled in outdated terms or trying to protect your next deal, this bite-size episode is your roadmap to freedom.

Don’t get caught in fuzzy handcuffs—listen now and learn how to take back control of your story.

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Hashtags:
#DownAndOutPublishing #ProsTalkingProse #AuthorRights #PublishingContracts #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishingTips #AuthorBusiness #WritingCommunity #PublishingAdvice #BookPublishing #PrintToPro #InPrintAcademy #TroyLambert #StaceySmekofske #WritersLife #SmallPress