Haters gonna hate, and trolls gonna troll—but what does that mean for authors? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy dive into the dark, weird, and sometimes hilarious world of negative reviews, trolls, hate mail, and DM drama. From a grandma’s unexpected 3-star critique to a one-star reviewer who can’t spell "plagiarism," they share real-life stories (some absurd, some serious) and offer seasoned advice on how to handle criticism without spiraling.

You’ll hear: How to respond (or not!) to negative reviews The difference between trolling and constructive criticism Why not all bad reviews are actually bad When to take feedback seriously—and when to laugh it off The importance of separating your author persona from your private life How to protect your mental health and boundaries as a public-facing creative

Whether you're a debut novelist or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you build thicker skin, spot toxic feedback, and use real reader insight to become a better writer.

👉 Like, subscribe, and drop your weirdest review or troll story in the comments—we might feature it in a future episode!

#WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #BookReviews #TrollsBeGone #NegativeReviews #IndieAuthorTips #SelfPublishing #AuthorAdvice #WritersOfYouTube #ProsTalkingProse

Diversity in fiction doesn’t mean tossing in a rainbow cast like it’s a checklist. In this episode, Stacey and Troy tackle the awkward, over-the-top, and downright cringey ways authors attempt diversity—and how to actually write inclusive stories that don’t scream “I’m trying too hard.”

We break down: When and why to include diverse characters How to avoid stereotypes, soapbox moments, and tokenism What makes representation authentic (vs. performative) Real-world writing tips, research advice, and sensitivity reader hacks Why your story—not your social agenda—should lead the way

Plus, we roast some “oops” moments we’ve seen in published books and celebrate examples like To Kill a Mockingbird that get it right without preaching.

If you’ve ever asked: “How do I write diverse characters without getting it wrong?” “What counts as performative representation?” “Am I overthinking this or just avoiding the cringe?”

This episode is for you.

Like, subscribe, and drop your own examples of cringe or excellence in the comments! Let’s help authors write better, deeper, and more human stories—without the awkward virtue signaling.

#WritingTips #DiversityInBooks #InclusiveWriting #AmWriting #AuthorTube #SelfPublishing #WritersOfYouTube #RepresentationMatters #BookIndustry #CharacterDevelopment

Ever woken up at 3 AM with a plot twist so good you were convinced it wasn’t entirely your idea? Yeah—same.

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy go full woo (but keep it grounded) as they explore the mysterious, magical, and mildly unhinged side of the creative process. From dream downloads to possessed plotlines, sacred rituals to intuitive writing, we’re pulling back the veil on the stuff authors don’t always admit out loud. Is it the muse? Is it your subconscious? Or are you just finally letting your brain breathe for five minutes?

We discuss: The science and spirituality behind where ideas come from Writing rituals that work (even if you don’t believe in crystals) Flow state, gut writing, and other weirdly effective methods What it really means to “channel” a character Why your best ideas come in the shower (and what to do about it)

Whether you're a full-on mystic or just mystified by your own imagination, this episode gives you permission to embrace the mystery and trust the process. No altar required. Just light a metaphorical candle and press play.

#authorlife #CreativeFlow #WritingPodcast #IntuitiveWriting #WriterProblems #MuseMagic #WritingRituals #PlotTwistsFromTheVoid #WooWooWriters #ProsTalkingProse

Tired of every protagonist having a tragic backstory, a clinical diagnosis, and a mountain of unresolved childhood trauma? SAME.

In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy sit down with licensed therapist and voracious reader Jeanne Anderson to dismantle the overuse of trauma tropes in fiction. We’re talking big T vs. little t trauma, emotional growth without catastrophe, and how to avoid turning your book into a DSM highlight reel.

What real emotional arcs look like Why “research” means more than scrolling Instagram How to write psychological depth without clinical crutches When diagnosis drops and psychobabble kill your character’s vibe What to do instead (hint: it's all about self-awareness, not suffering)

If you’re an author who wants to write deeper, more resonant characters without turning every arc into a therapy session, this one’s for you.

Plus: We drop book recs, storytelling tips, and even rant about footnotes in fiction (yes, really). Craft & Writing Books Story Genius by Lisa Cron The Story Equation by Susan May Warren The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi Activate by Angela Ackerman Verbalize by Angela Ackerman Psychology, Trauma & Emotional Health The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Grow Yourself Up by Jenny Brown The Mask of Sanity by Hervey Cleckley Fiction Examples Referenced A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab The People We Keep by Allison Larkin Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling) Books by Catherine Steadman (e.g., Something in the Water) Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz Books by Brad Thor (e.g., Scot Harvath series)

Find us on your favorite podcast platform or watch the full replay on YouTube.

For writing resources and character development help, visit: PrintToPro.com ThePlotAbides.com

Think getting your book "in bookstores" guarantees big sales? Think again. In this brutally honest episode of Pros Talking Prose, publishing coach Stacey Smekofske and author strategist Troy Lambert break down the myths about bookstore distribution, author royalties, and what really moves books. From Amazon algorithms to the truth about IngramSpark and KDP, we're exposing the industry's best-kept secrets—and saving you from strategies that drain your wallet and your will to write.

Whether you're self-publishing or traditionally published, you'll learn: Why bookstore placement doesn’t equal book sales Reasons Amazon buries your KDP listing What bookstores actually want before they'll stock your book How to make more money by selling less conventionally Why going “wide” might be the smartest move for your author business

If you’ve ever wondered where your royalties go, how much you should price your book, or why being “available everywhere” still means “nowhere,” this episode is your wake-up call.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes truths about the publishing world, and don’t forget to hit the bell so you never miss an episode.

#AuthorBusiness #SelfPublishingTips #BookMarketing #IndieAuthorLife #PublishingMyths #InBookstores #KDP #IngramSpark #BookRoyalties #WideDistribution

Think publishing is just writing a book and hitting “upload”? Think again. In this raw and real episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey and Troy break down the true financial equation of getting your book into the world, whether you’re self-publishing, hybrid publishing, or chasing that traditional dream.

This is a long one, and I am sort of sorry about that but there was a lot to cover.

We get into: What trad publishing really covers (hint: not much) Why hybrid publishers double dip and what it costs you How self-publishing can eat your budget if you’re not careful And the biggest expense authors never plan for (spoiler: it’s not your cover)

We’re not here to scare you—we’re here to keep you from signing away your rights and your savings. Buckle up, grab the free Publishing Budget Worksheet, and let’s do the math together. 🎧 Listen now. Download the worksheet: https://ebs.printtopro.com/get-author-business-starter-kit Learn your best path: https://editsbystacey.thrivecart.com/paper-trail/ And yes, we do name names. (Kind of.)

#PublishingTips #IndieAuthor #AuthorLife #SelfPublishing #HybridPublishing #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #AmWriting #BookBusiness #AuthorEntrepreneur

Can Kickstarter actually help you market your book, or is it just a time-consuming gimmick wrapped in fancy rewards? In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert wade into the wild world of book marketing to unpack what Kickstarter really offers authors. They discuss: The real definition of marketing (and why most authors hate it) Whether Kickstarter is a marketing tool, a funding platform, or both What kind of authors and books are a good fit for Kickstarter Why ad campaigns and email lists still matter (even with a killer Kickstarter page) The dangers of cookie-cutter strategies and comparison traps

From plushie rewards to print runs in Canada, this episode is packed with real talk, insider tips, and the occasional publishing rant. Resources, tools, and recommended experts are in the description below! 🗓️ New episodes drop every Saturday 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications to stay in the loop 💬 Got questions or Kickstarter horror stories? Drop them in the comments—we might feature them in a future episode! Do you have any suggestions for future episodes? Let us know if you want us to chime in on a topic you want more information about. #BookMarketingTips #KickstarterForAuthors #IndieAuthorLife #AuthorMarketing #SelfPublishingJourney #CrowdfundingBooks #WritersOfInstagram #AmWritingBooks #PublishingAdvice #ProsTalkingProse

In this brutally honest and wildly relatable episode of Pros Talking Prose, Stacey Smekofske and Troy Lambert unpack everything from conference chaos to business pivots—and the surprising comfort in realizing that none of us have it all figured out.

Fresh from the Storymakers conference in Utah, Stacey shares real talk about fear of failure and why marketing still sends most authors into a full-body cringe. Troy chimes in with his signature snark and seasoned wisdom on why bad advice spreads like glitter, and what indie authors actually need to hear.

Why “nobody knows what they’re doing” might be the most comforting truth you’ll hear all week. Self-publishing stigma, imposter syndrome, and how to stop chasing the wrong readers.

Publishing contracts with shocking social media clauses.

And why your first draft is just for you (thank you, Terry Pratchett)

Plus: We tease what’s next—Kickstarter strategy, author-focused marketing timelines, and a powerful new platform being built by writers, for writers.

This episode is your permission slip to be scared, show up anyway, and keep going—because nobody knows what they’re doing, and that’s okay.

#ProsTalkingProse #NobodyKnowsWhatTheyreDoing #AuthorLife #CreativeMeltdown #SelfPublishingTips #ConferenceHangover #RealTalkForWriters #BookMarketing