Writing a book is hard. Publishing it is even harder. Succeeding as an author? That’s practically wizardry. Good thing you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Pros Talking Prose is your backstage pass to the writing and publishing world, hosted by seasoned pros Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert. We’ll help you skip the mistakes, laugh through the chaos, and build the writing career you actually want without the smoke and mirrors. New episodes every week. Therapy not included — but highly encouraged.
Pros Talking Prose
Claim This Podcastby Stacey Smekofske
84 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
35
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality70
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement0
Podcast Overview
Writing a book is hard. Publishing it is even harder. Succeeding as an author? That’s practically wizardry. Good thing you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Pros Talking Prose is your backstage pass to the writing and publishing world, hosted by seasoned pros Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert. We’ll help you skip the mistakes, laugh through the chaos, and build the writing career you actually want without the smoke and mirrors. New episodes every week. Therapy not included — but highly encouraged.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/28/2025
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
35
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality70
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement0
7
Excellent Areas
0
Good Performance
12
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Publishing Consistency
Every 3 days
Performing excellently!
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
Reach the team behind Pros Talking Prose
Verified contact details for this show aren't on file yet — sign up to get notified when they land.
Recent Episodes
July 11, 2026
Why Readers Walk Away After Reading Your Blurb
You spent months (or years) writing your book... ...and then gave yourself fifteen minutes to write the blurb. We see it all the time. Authors pour everything into their manuscript, only to rush through the one piece of sales copy that convinces readers to pick it up, or put it back on the shelf. In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we're breaking down what actually makes a great book blurb, why AI-generated blurbs usually land somewhere between "fine" and "forgettable," and how to edit them into something that truly sells your story. A book blurb is not a summary.It's not your query letter.And it's definitely not the place to explain every twist in your plot. It's a promise to your reader. Join us as we walk through the five essential elements of a compelling blurb, the biggest mistakes authors make, and practical ways to test whether your blurb is encouraging readers to click Buy Now... or quietly walk away. Resources Mentioned Build a Brilliant Blurb Worksheet (Free)https://learning.printtopro.com/build-a-brilliant-blurb/ Bryan Cohen – Amazon Ads & Book Blurb Resources (no we don't have any affiliate links with Bryan. We just think he is a swell individual)https://selling-for-authors.teachable.com/p/author-ad-school-unlimited Join our author community on Skool - The P2P Author Business Harborhttps://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about If you're serious about publishing professionally, building a sustainable author business, and creating books readers can't wait to recommend, you're in the right place. Like, subscribe, and join us every week as we talk writing, publishing, and everything in between. #BookBlurb #BookMarketing #SelfPublishing #WritingTips #IndieAuthor #AuthorMarketing #BookDescription #AIWriting #PublishingAdvice #ProsTalkingProse
July 4, 2026
The AI Witch Hunt Is Hurting Authors
The AI conversation has reached a point where authors are accusing authors, readers are accusing writers, and trust is beginning to erode throughout the publishing industry.In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we step away from the usual "AI is good" versus "AI is bad" debate and tackle something much bigger: What happens when suspicion replaces evidence?Whether you're excited about AI, completely opposed to it, or still trying to figure out where you stand, this conversation isn't about telling you what to believe. It's about preserving professionalism, encouraging transparency, and asking whether our community is fighting the wrong battle.We discuss:• Why the current AI "witch hunt" is dividing authors• Confirmation bias and why everyone suddenly seems guilty• Where AI belongs (and where it doesn't)• Why transparency matters more than outrage• The difference between using tools and outsourcing creativity• The real challenges facing authors that deserve our attentionPublishing has always been built on trust. If we lose that, we've lost something much bigger than an argument over technology.We'd genuinely love to hear your perspective in the comments—but please remember what we ask throughout the episode: disagree respectfully. Productive conversations move the industry forward. Personal attacks do not.Resources MentionedJoin our FREE Author Business Harbor Community:https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/aboutLearn more about Print to Pro:https://PrintToPro.com #WritingCommunity #WritingLife #Authors #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #BookTube #Publishing #WritingAdvice #AuthorBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeWriting #PrintToPro
June 27, 2026
Everyone Wants Fewer Gatekeepers… Until They Read the Books
Everyone says publishing needs fewer gatekeepers… until they have to sort through thousands of low-quality books. We know this episode may ruffle a few feathers. As lifelong advocates for independent authors, we believe writers should retain their rights, their royalties, and control over their careers. But that doesn't mean every barrier in publishing is a bad thing.In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, we're tackling one of the most controversial questions in publishing today: Has removing every gatekeeper actually made publishing better? We discuss why editorial standards still matter, how readers are losing trust in books, the impact AI-generated content is having on discoverability, why professional publishing isn't about keeping people out—it's about protecting readers—and how indie authors can meet (or exceed) traditional publishing standards without giving up creative control. If you've ever wondered why some books rise above the noise while others disappear, this conversation is for you. We know some people will disagree with our perspective—and that's okay. We'd genuinely like to hear your thoughts. After watching the episode, tell us: Should anyone be able to publish a book, or does publishing still need standards? Let's have the conversation. Mentioned in this episode Macmillan CEO interview on the future of publishing:The Future of Publishing – Macmillan CEO Interview by David Perellhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcSbQU0g8hw&t=4098s AI Sentiment Survey for Authorsprinttopro.com/author-a-i-sentiment-survey/ Fjeldheim Writers Retreathttps://fjeldheimwritersretreat.com/ Join our free Print to Pro Author Business Harbor community:https://www.skool.com/p2p-author-business-harbor/about Subscribe: If you're serious about building a sustainable author career—not just publishing a book, subscribe for weekly conversations about writing, publishing, marketing, and the business of being an author.New episodes every week. #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #Publishing #BookMarketing #AuthorBusiness #WritingTips #BookPublishing #Authors #ArtificialIntelligence #WritingLife #PrintToPro
84 total episodes available
Recent guests on Pros Talking Prose
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Jeanne Anderson
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for Pros Talking Prose
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Pros Talking Prose?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.