Pros Talking Prose

How to Keep Time From Wrecking Your Novel: The Magic and Mayhem of Timelines Revealed

Think writing a book with one timeline is hard? Try two. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert dive headfirst into the chaotic brilliance of dual timelines—the literary device that can elevate your story or leave your readers hopelessly confused.

They’ll spill all the tea on:
    Why your timelines must be in sync (yes, even fantasy ones)
    What genres love a layered timeline (thrillers, we’re looking at you)
    Tools, tricks, and tech to keep your timelines from imploding
    Revision tips for the brave—and why dual timelines are not for the faint of draft
    Anchoring readers without spoon-feeding them
    Breadcrumbs, Easter eggs, and the sacred art of reader misdirection

Plus, Stacey powers through a migraine with sunglasses and sass, proving once again that publishing pros are nothing if not determined (and slightly unhinged).

Whether you're plotting a psychological thriller, epic fantasy, or dual-POV romance, this episode will help you master the timeline madness. 

📍 Mentioned tools & sites:
ThePlotAbides.com
PrinttoPro.com
Novelio (early access: beta link below)
https://novelio.app/

Scrivener, Plottr, Campfire, and more

Subscribe for weekly publishing wisdom, caffeinated rants, and brutally honest author advice.

Got a dual timeline that worked? A favorite film or book with time-bending brilliance? Drop it in the comments—we might dissect it next!

#DualTimelineWriting #PlotStructureTips #WritersOnWriting #AuthorPodcast #WritingTips #MysteryWriters #ThrillerWriters #FantasyWriters #RomanceWriting #StoryStructure #WritingCommunity #ProsTalkingProse

Your Brain Called - It Wants a Day Off: How Authors Can Protect their Mental Health

Feeling fried, frazzled, or just one rejection away from a creative meltdown? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dive into the mental health side of writing — the part no one talks about, but everyone struggles with.
From managing expectations and protecting your creative energy, to setting boundaries and celebrating small wins, this episode is your reminder that your brain deserves rest, respect, and maybe a snack or two.

Whether you're deep in edits, querying like a maniac, or just trying to remember why you started writing in the first place, this one's for you.

Get more help with InPrint Academy – Your roadmap for a sustainable, empowering publishing journey. 
https://ebs.printtopro.com/get-inprint-academy
Print to Pro and Edits by Stacey – Coaching, courses, and real support for real authors. EditsByStacey.com - PrintToPro.com
ThePlotAbides.com - Get coaching on your plot with Troy Lambert

🎙️ Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes truths, marketing know-how, and writing wisdom, with a side of sass.
Find Pros Talking Prose Podcast on platforms everywhere now.

#AuthorLife #WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AuthorMentalHealth #CreativeBurnout  
#WritersOfInstagram #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishingSupport #WritingTips  
#WritingJourney #WriterStruggles #AuthorBurnout #ProsTalkingProse #InPrintAcademy  
#WritersWellness #WritingPodcast #WriterMotivation #CreativeSelfCare

Pivot or Perish: Survival Skills for Every Author: Navigate Market Shifts, Trends, & Personal Pivots

In Episode 19 of Pros Talking Prose, we dive deep into a crucial topic every author must face: pivoting in your author career. If you're feeling the shifting winds of the publishing world—declining sales, changing markets, new technologies—you’re not alone. Pivot or perish isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s the survival skillset every serious author needs.

Join Stacey Smekofske of Edits by Stacey and Print to Pro along with Troy Lambert, The Plot Dude, as they walk you through how to recognize when it’s time to pivot, how to plan your next move without losing momentum, and the biggest mistakes authors make when trying to shift gears.

👉 Looking to strengthen your foundation and build a resilient, professional author business?
Check out InPrint Academy, Stacey’s comprehensive course that teaches you how to publish like a pro, protect your rights, and grow your author career sustainably. https://ebs.printtopro.com/get-inprint-academy

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment if you have a topic you'd love us to cover in an upcoming episode!

#authorbusiness #publishingtips #authorcareer #writingcommunity #indieauthors #indiepublishing #selfpublishing

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

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.

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

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

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