Pros Talking Prose

Books to Blockbusters in a Day?! Michael Evans on the AI Storytelling Revolution

What if your book could become a movie in less than 24 hours? In this explosive and possibly controversial episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy sit down with tech innovator and author Michael Evans to talk about The Movie Machine at Creatorwood—an AI-powered platform that turns novels and scripts into full-fledged films.

Is this the future of indie publishing and Hollywood… or the end of creativity as we know it? We dig into the controversy, the possibilities, and what this means for authors, screenwriters, and storytellers everywhere.

Topics we cover:

Can AI really empower authors—or just replace them?
Why Hollywood should be nervous (and indie storytellers should be excited)
How storytelling 4.0 could shake up publishing AND film
What it means to own your audience in the age of streaming
Michael’s vision for a world where every story can find its screen

Links for you: 
Get the FREE book about Creatorwood
https://blog.creatorwood.tv/subscribe
Learn more about Creatorwood: 
https://make.creatorwood.tv/
Cost of Creatorwood: https://help.creatorwood.tv/article/14-how-does-payment-work-on-creatorwood
Pricing Calculator: https://pricing.creatorwood.tv/

Whether you’re an author, filmmaker, or just fascinated by the AI vs. creativity debate, this episode will challenge how you think about storytelling’s future.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss our next fiery conversation.

#AIStorytelling #IndieAuthor #PublishingRevolution #BookTok #SelfPublishing #Filmmaking #HollywoodDisruption #ArtificialIntelligence #ProsTalkingProse #MichaelEvans #StorytellingRevolution

Slow the $%^# Down: Quality Over Speed: Building an Author Life That Lasts

Rushing to finish your draft? Racing to hit “publish” before your book is ready? Burning out trying to keep up with other authors? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske (editor and publishing coach) and Troy Lambert (author, editor, and plot doctor) unpack why the real secret to success in publishing is simple: time.

We break down three key areas where slowing down pays off big:
Writing Journey – Why drafts need to simmer, how beta readers strengthen your story, and why resting between revisions makes you sharper.
Publishing Process – Why editing, cover design, proofs, and distribution can’t be rushed if you want professional results.
Author Business – How patience protects your mental health, prevents burnout, and builds long-term sustainability.

This episode also dives into practical mental strength tips, from reframing delays to celebrating milestones, so you can protect your sanity while building a successful author career.

If you’re tired of hustle culture and quick-fix publishing schemes, this is your reminder to slow the $%^# down and let quality lead the way.

Don't forget to like and subscribe to help out the algorithm and also... Tell us in the comments what topics you want us to tackle. We are open to suggestions. 

#AuthorBusiness #IndiePublishing #WritingTips #SelfPublishing #AuthorJourney #BookMarketing #WriterLife #QualityOverQuantity

Stop Describing the Door and Just Leave Already!: How Show Don't Tell Really Works.

If your readers know how to open a door, they don’t need three paragraphs explaining it. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy tackle the infamous “show, don’t tell” debate, armed with examples from The Hunger Games, Twilight, Tolkien, Ernest Hemingway, A Quiet Place, and even Wheel of Time.

We dive deep into sensory writing, including how smell, taste, sound, touch, and sight can trigger powerful reader memories (yes, Jacob’s fur and sour milk included). We talk about why “and then” storytelling is killing modern fiction, how to make your setting a living, breathing character, and when to cut the fluff so your plot doesn’t die in a pile of adjectives.

From goat cheese and basil leaves to wind that hates you, we’ll show you how to layer emotion, backstory, and sensory detail without turning your chapters into padded filler. Whether you write fantasy epics, sizzling romance, or a small-town thriller, this episode will help you hook your readers and keep them turning pages.

Mentions in this episode:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings
Ernest Hemingway’s short fiction
A Quiet Place (film)
Wheel of Time (TV adaptation)

#WritingTips #AmWriting #AuthorLife #WritersOfInstagram #WritersLife #ShowDontTell #AmEditing #BookMarketing #AmQuerying #BookTokAuthors #WritingCommunity #StorytellingTips

Authors Beware: Audible’s New Plan Could Cost You Big

Amazon Strikes Again: Audible’s New Plan Could Gut Your Audiobook Royalties

Amazon’s Audible just pulled a move that could quietly slash indie author earnings, and they’re selling it like it’s a gift to creators. Spoiler: it’s not.

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy rip the shiny wrapping off Audible’s “Premium Plus” rollout to reveal the fine print that could leave authors earning less than ever. Think Kindle Unlimited for audiobooks… but with even more ways for Amazon to keep the cash.

We’re exposing:

• How the new royalty pool works, and why you’ll be splitting your earnings with hundreds of other books.
  
  
• The truth about Findaway Voices, Spotify, and why Audible might be sweating the competition.
  
  
• Why exclusivity is a trap that benefits Amazon more than you.
  
  
• The simple shift that could put more audiobook money back in your pocket.
  
  

If you’re an author—or plan to become one—you can’t afford to miss this breakdown. Before you sign away exclusivity or cheer for Audible’s “creator-centric ethos,” you need to know whose pocket it’s really filling.

Hit play, subscribe, and make sure your audiobook profits don’t get swallowed whole.

 

We refer to the following references in this video: 
Daniel Greene: The Audible Situation Got Much Worse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H0ivgubPtI&t=1s

Audible's Article: Audible’s New Royalty Model: More Opportunities for Authors and Publishers
https://www.audible.com/about/newsroom/audibles-new-royalty-model-more-opportunities-for-authors-and-publishers?srsltid=AfmBOooElBqgE1y2BBeEO8IoaPdwDbaQK-4L3wXem4FWNi-xHPrm1CP6

Midia: What Audible's New Royalty Model Means for its Audiobook Battle with Spotify:
 https://www.midiaresearch.com/blog/what-audibles-new-royalty-model-means-for-its-audiobook-battle-with-spotify

Lean Media: The Truth About Audible's New Audible's New Pooled Royalty Scheme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP66KI7txg4

Here is the Newscast I mentioned with the beautiful Madeline White when she was with 
Boise's News 6
https://www.kivitv.com/finding-hope/finding-hope-local-bestselling-horror-author-inspires-resilience-empathy

#Amazon #Audible #Audiobooks #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #IndiePublishing #BookMarketing #AuthorTips #KindleUnlimited #ACX #SpotifyAudiobooks #AuthorLife #PublishingTips #WritersLife #BookTok #AuthorsOfInstagram #WritersOfInstagram #IndieAuthorLife #BookBusiness #NarratorLife

CSI: Crap Scene Investigation - Write Crime Right

True crime fans and thriller writers, beware: your story might be committing a felony. In this hilariously unfiltered episode, Stacey and Troy dive into the crime-writing crimes that make editors weep and readers rage-quit.

From interrogations without Miranda rights to chairs jammed under hospital doorknobs (yes, that happened), we dissect the rookie mistakes authors make when writing police procedurals, murder mysteries, and true crime-inspired fiction. Whether you're spinning a serial killer saga or just tossing in a body for tension, we’ll help you avoid turning your plot into a cautionary tale.
Topics we interrogate:
    Why your crime novel needs structure, not just shock value
    The difference between a coroner and a medical examiner (and why readers will notice)
    Respecting the victim—even when they're fictional
    How not to glorify your villain (unless you're really trying to be problematic)
    The ripple effect of crime and why empathy still matters

If you write thrillers, mysteries, or crime fiction—or just binge Dateline and call it research—this episode is your alibi for better writing.

#CrimeWritingTips #TrueCrimeWriters #HowToWriteCrime #WritingThrillers #MysteryWriters #CrimeFictionWriters #WritersOfInstagram #SelfPublishingTips #AuthorLife #WritingPodcast 

Subscribe. Laugh. Learn. And stop breaking the literary law.
Follow Print to Pro and Prose Talking Prose for more writer rants, industry truth bombs, and professional-grade writing advice—served with sarcasm.

Stop Chasing Algorithms: Write Like an Artisan

Are you writing for algorithms or for actual humans? In this refreshingly honest episode of Pros Talking Prose, we’re joined by indie author legend Johnny B. Truant to talk about his upcoming book, The Artisan Author, a rebellious, soul-restoring manifesto for authors who are done with burnout and ready to love writing again.

We dive into:
The myth of rapid release
Why chasing bestseller lists is killing your creativity
How to attract 1,000 true fans (and why that’s enough)
The “Bookstore of You” philosophy
Bringing back the FUN in your author business

Whether you're drowning in marketing hacks or wondering if AI is about to replace your voice, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, find joy, and build a sustainable, art-first author career.

Are you ready to quit the rat race and write on your own terms? You’re not alone. Besides keeping Austin weird, Johnny helps Troy and Stacey discover why being an artisan author is the revolution we all need.

Grab Johnny’s book and learn more:
Join his Kickstarter Here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/johnnybtruant/the-artisan-author-your-way-out-of-the-self-pub-rat-race
or just buy his book here: 
https://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Author-Low-Stress-High-Quality-Fan-Focused-ebook/dp/B0DPCV96XZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GVE2LM1Q10SJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-oCp-rbTAtnOMexXoBlVHIwuyywzhdTfVTGnI-KfT_4.4c4-FRu4e4CUavUKXd3cgM-msuXZ9VBF6jki1H5i934&dib_tag=se&keywords=johnny+b+truant+artisan+author&qid=1753401625&sprefix=johnny+b+truant+%2Caps%2C199&sr=8-1

Follow:
Johnny B. Truant: https://johnnybtruantbooks.com/
Troy Lambert: https://theplotabides.com/
Stacey Smekofske: https://printtopro.com/

#ArtisanAuthor #JohnnyBTruant #IndieAuthor #AuthorBusiness #ProsTalkingProse #WritingTips #SelfPublishing #TrueFans #SlowAuthoring #CreativeBurnout #AIandAuthors #IndiePublishing

AI Didn’t Kill the Author. You Did.

Is AI the villain in the author’s downfall—or are readers, publishers, and even fellow writers part of the problem? In this fiery episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy and Stacey unpack the emotional, ethical, and legal minefield of AI-generated content in publishing. From TikTok's “100% Human” trend to copyright battles and the philosophical death of the author, we ask the hard questions:
What is authorship in the age of machines?
Can a bot tell a human story—or just mimic one?
And what happens when you can’t tell the difference?

Prepare to get fired up, challenged, and maybe just a little uncomfortable.

This isn’t just about AI. It’s about what readers demand, what creators surrender, and where the soul of storytelling really lives.

#Author #HumanCreated #DeathOfTheAuthor #PublishingEthics #BookTokDebate #SelfPublishing #WritersLife #ProsTalkingProse

Scambaiting for Authors: Avoiding Those Inbox Traps

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