Nobody Knows What They’re Doing (And That’s Okay); The Chaos of Building an Author Business

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