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.

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#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