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What makes a story impossible to put down—and how do you keep crafting them over decades (and decades!) of a thriving career? Steph welcomes iconic New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen, whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide, for a warm, revealing conversation about crafting captivating fiction. With more than sixty adult novels, an Agatha Award for Best Novel, and a writing schedule that still includes two books a year, Rhys brings extraordinary experience—and plenty of wit—to the table. Her latest novel, The Castle in the Glen, takes us to Scotland’s atmospheric Isle of Skye, where a young writer agrees to finish a famous novelist’s final manuscript… only to suspect the mystery on the page is real—and someone wants it to stay buried. From that irresistible premise, we go behind the scenes of Rhys’s storytelling: how she hooks readers, creates settings you can practically smell and taste, and tackled the challenge of writing a book within a book.  We also explore: Why even an experienced novelist sometimes needs to rethink her openingHer unexpected path from teenage romances to award-winning mysteriesHer honest take on social media, book sales, and author scamsThe 1,500-word daily goal—and simple habit—that keeps her writingCollaborating with her daughter and finding small comforts after losing her husbandWhether you’re a reader who loves getting swept into another world or a writer working toward your own dream, this episode offers a fascinating look at how unforgettable stories—and lasting careers—are built. Thank you so much for listening!  Leave a review, share the episode with a friend, and let us know what you underlined! ✍️🖤 CONNECT WITH RHYS BOWEN: IG: @authorrhysbowenWebsite: www.rhysbowen.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW THE SUBSTACK: ⁠Underline That: When There's More to Say⁠ PURCHASE TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble TODAY’S TBR The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen Mrs. Endicott’s Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen Evans Above by Rhys Bowen Murphy’s Law and the Molly Murphy series by Rhys Bowen The Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien Call of the Camino by Suzanne Redfearn

Welcome back, bookish besties! It's here: Season Two of Underline That. It's a thrill and honor to have you! We're kicking things off with a charming fall dream. New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher's Weekly bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey is taking us back to Peachtree Bluff—and here to dish about all of it! 🍂📚 Joined by guest co-host and rom-com author Devon Daniels (Star-Crossed Summer), we’re talking Falling for Peachtree Bluff, returning to the beloved series Kristy never expected to write, and the surprising story of how it all began at a moment when Kristy genuinely thought her career was over. As always, we go far beyond the book, and you don't want to miss it! Tune in as we chat: Going back to Peachtree Bluff + series writing The #BTS realities of author social media Book-tour fashion + 89 stops (!!) in one year A Happier Life goes Hollywood Kristy’s upcoming ski-resort book Plus: a Mary Oliver underline so good, it becomes a grounding theme of our chat. Welcome back, everyone! To Peachtree Bluff and the pod! It's going to be a great season! ✍️🖤 FIND KRISTY WOODSON HARVEY: IG: @kristywharvey Website: www.kristywoodsonharvey.com FIND DEVON DANIELS: IG: @devondanielsauthor Website: www.devondanielsauthor.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FOLLOW THE SUBSTACK: Underline That: When There's More to Say PURCHASE TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble TODAY'S TBR: Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels Devotions by Mary Oliver Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser The Bell Haven Finishing School by Adele Myers Love You More by Emily Giffin Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

What better way to close out Season One of Underline That than with a celebration of TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE? This week, we're marking the fresh release with a special behind-the-scenes conversation about the journey that brought this story from dream to bookshelf! Joining Steph are three incredible women who played pivotal roles in her traditional publishing journey: ✨ Danielle Egan-Miller — Literary Agent at Browne & Miller Literary Associates 📚 Stephanie Broene — Fiction Publisher at Tyndale House Publishers 💕 Devon Daniels — Beloved rom-com author with Berkley Romance, dear friend, and guest co-host for this special episode Together, we pull back the curtain on the realities of publishing today—from querying literary agents and navigating acquisitions to republishing indie titles, writing authentic female friendships, and exploring the evolving landscape of faith-based contemporary fiction. We also discuss the heart behind TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE—a story about marriage, motherhood, friendship, nostalgia, second chances, and asking the question so many women approaching midlife wonder: What if? Whether you're a reader, writer, aspiring author, or simply someone who loves stories about the roads that shape us, this episode is filled with encouragement, insight, and celebration. About TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE Turning forty wasn't supposed to involve a pickleball accident that sends Sutton Layne spiraling back through an alternate version of her twenties. As she revisits old dreams, paths not taken, and the choices that shaped her life, Sutton must decide what truly matters—and whether the life she's built is the one she would choose all over again. Think 13 Going on 30 meets It's a Wonderful Life, with all the millennial nostalgia, heart, friendship, marriage, and pickleball magic. TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE is now available everywhere! Thank you for listening to Season One of Underline That. Whether you've joined us for one episode or every conversation, I'm so grateful you've been part of this community. Thank you for underlining this season with me! Here's to the next chapter! 💕📚✨ MORE UNDERLINES RETURNING THIS FALL! FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PURCHASE TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Barnes & Noble

With just days until Twenty Something Else releases, Steph is pulling back the curtain on the real-life inspirations behind her debut novel with Tyndale House, available on June 9! In this special solo episode, she shares ten fun facts about the novel—including the pieces drawn from her own life, the experiences that shaped Sutton's journey, and the elements that are indeed completely fictional (spoiler: most of them). That said, from turning forty and raising three daughters in Orange County to taking a theater improv class at USC, spending time in Nicaragua to marrying a surfer, Steph reveals how her own experiences indeed found their way onto the page—and why writing this book became such a meaningful milestone in her life. She also discusses the origins of some of the novel's most memorable moments, answers a reader question about deleted scenes, and reflects on the themes of gratitude, identity, womanhood, marriage, and the unexpected detours that shape who we become. Whether you've already read or pre-orderedTwenty Something Else or you're simply curious about the stories behind the story, this episode offers a fun, personal look inside the author's desk. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow book lover! FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: ⁠Amazon⁠ ⁠Barnes & Noble

Join Steph in welcoming beloved New York Times bestselling author Courtney Walsh to Underline That! What a total joy to discuss her brand-new novel, Brighter Than Before, available June 9. This swoony summer read is a joyful, tender, laugh-out-loud story about starting over, finding friendship as an adult, and asking what you really want in the wake of it all crashing down. Steph and Courtney talk about writing 40-something heroines, Chicago as the perfect rom-com backdrop, the vulnerability of making new friends as a grown woman, and why reinvention is never just for the young. Courtney also shares her best author advice on Instagram, indie vs. traditional publishing, trusting your gut when a manuscript isn’t working, and why creating with your own voice matters more than ever. Trust me—you don’t want to miss this one! Thank you so much for listening, and thank you for joining me, Courtney! FIND COURTNEY WALSH: Instagram: @courtneywalsh Website: www.courtneywalshwrites.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon Barnes & Noble TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

Today on Underline That, Jessica Guerrieri rejoins Steph for a conversation about motherhood, sobriety, sisterhood, publishing, reviews, recovery, generational trauma—and the way women can hold two completely contradictory emotions at the same time. We dive into Jessica’s brand-new novel, Both Can Be True, the emotional reality of debut year, audiobook obsession, unlikable female characters, and the complicated beauty of womanhood in your 30s and 40s. The conversation is funny, vulnerable, honest, millennial, and packed with the kinds of truths that make you pause and think: Wow, me, too. We discuss:– Why “both can be true” resonates so deeply with women– Motherhood, resentment, gratitude, and identity shifts– Recovery, connection, and found sisterhood– The reality of publishing after the debut dream comes true– Goodreads, reviews, and protecting your mental health as a creative …and so much more! Jessica’s new novel, Both Can Be True, is available now wherever books are sold. Thank you so much for listening!  FIND JESSICA: IG: @jessicaguerrieriauthor Website: www.jessicaguerrieri.net FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon Barnes & Noble TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri

This week on Underline That, Steph chats with bestselling Christian romance author Sarah Monzon about her adorable upcoming release, Bookmarked for Love—a cozy, bookish romance featuring librarians, literary references, publishing drama, and forced-proximity goodness. Don’t miss this lovable rom-com, available July 21, 2026! Sarah opens up about her journey from indie to traditional publishing, writing novels while raising young kids, navigating comparison in the publishing world, and why representation and vulnerability matter so deeply in her stories. We also discuss:• Why bookish books never go out of style• The magic of Christmas romances• Balancing motherhood and creativity• Covers, tropes, launch teams, and marketing realities• Favorite authors, reading habits, and rapid-fire book talk Plus, we bond over libraries, Kindle obsessions, Katherine Center fandom, and the emotional vulnerability of writing fiction straight from the heart. Thank you so much for listening! FIND SARAH MONZON: Instagram: @sarahmonzonwritesWebsite: www.sarahmonzonwrites.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon Barnes & Noble TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Bookmarked for Love by Sarah Monzon Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon by Sarah Monzon All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

This week on Underline That, Steph is joined by Eliza Knight—USA Today bestselling author of the upcoming novel Lost in the Summer of ’69, releasing June 9. Set against the backdrop of music, memory, and massive cultural change, the novel follows a grandmother, mother, and daughter on an unforgettable road trip after a shocking disappearance. It’s heartfelt, nostalgic, layered, and simply perfect for summer reading! Today we dive into Eliza’s inspiration behind the book, writing women across generations, and why stories about mothers and daughters hit differently when you’re living in that “sandwich generation” season of life. We also chat about music playlists for writing, historical research rabbit holes, the emotional reality of watching daughters grow up, and the surprising truths about building a decades-long writing career. And yes—we absolutely get into her other writing life, too! From historical fiction to revenge thrillers and her buzzy upcoming Tradwife novel—written under pen name Michelle Brandon—Eliza shares what it’s been like writing nearly 100 books across genres, publishing under an alias, and creatively reinventing herself again and again. Thank you so much for listening! If you loved the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the show with a fellow reader, writer, or fellow woman figuring it out as she goes! FIND ELIZA KNIGHT: Instagram: @elizaknightfictionWebsite: www.elizaknight.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: ⁠Amazon⁠ ⁠Barnes & Noble⁠ TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Lost in the Summer of ‘69 by Eliza Knight Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight

In today’s episode, Steph is joined by rom-com author Andra Loy to talk about her delightful, magical rom-com debut, The Roman Holiday Rule from Haven Fiction—and the winding, unexpected journey that brought her here. From living overseas for over two decades to writing stories that blend romance with magical realism, Andra shares how her real-life experiences shaped a novel full of heart, humor, and sparkle. We dive into her creative process, the dream of debut season, and the deeper themes that emerged as Andra wrote and revised this story. We also talk about the rise of clean romance in publishing, finding your lane as a writer, and why some of the most meaningful stories come from simply paying attention to what’s right in front of you. Thank you so much for listening! FIND ANDRA LOY: IG: @andraloy Website: www.andraloy.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon Barnes & Noble TODAY’S UNDERLINES: The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy My Friends by Fredrik Backman

Today on Underline That, Steph sits down with historical fiction author Nicola Harrison to talk about her dazzling new novel, The Island Club—a layered, addictive story set on 1950s Balboa Island, where paradise looks perfect on the surface… but secrets are simmering underneath. They discuss the real-life inspiration behind Balboa Island as a setting, the fascinating history of spring break culture in Newport Beach, and why tennis became such an important thread in the novel. Nicola also shares how women’s friendship, play, and community shaped the story in unexpected ways. Plus, they dive into Nicola’s publishing journey—from fashion journalism in New York City to becoming a bestselling novelist—her writing process, the magic of early-morning drafting, and what’s next for her (including a brand-new novel set in the English countryside). In this episode, you’ll hear all about: The premise behind The Island ClubWhy Balboa Island was the perfect settingThe surprising real history behind “Bal Week”Tennis, friendship, and reclaiming joy as womenNicola’s path from journalism to fictionHer daily writing goals and 5 a.m. routineHow the gorgeous cover came to lifeWhat she’s writing nextIf you love smart escapist fiction, glamorous settings, female friendship, and books with secrets at their center, this episode is for you! FIND NICOLA HARRISON: Instagram: @nicolaharrisonauthor Website: www.nicolaharrison.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott The Island Club by Nicola Harrison Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Welcome back, listeners! This week’s episode is a quick little bookish life update and personal reflection. After years of publicly reviewing books online, I’m sharing why my relationship with Goodreads has shifted as I’ve gone deeper into author life—and why I’ve recently fallen hard for StoryGraph as my new favorite place to track my reading! We’re talking about the complicated reality of being both a reader and a published author, why public reviewing feels different from this side of the industry, how I’m protecting my peace in this pre-launch season, and all the reasons StoryGraph has become my latest bookish obsession. If you’ve been curious about StoryGraph, wondering whether Goodreads still works for you, or just want a candid peek behind the curtain of author life, this one’s for you! In this episode, we cover: Why becoming an author has changed how I think about public book reviewsThe emotional reality of seeing negative reviews of your own workWhy Goodreads no longer feels like the healthiest place for me to hang outMy favorite StoryGraph features (and why I’m obsessed)Other reading life thoughts in this seasonI'd love to know where you track your reads these days—Goodreads, StoryGraph, a reading journal, nowhere, or absolute chaos! Thank you so much for listening!  TODAY'S UNDERLINES: The StoryGraph

Join two authors as we dive headfirst into AI, book trends, and the piping-hot publishing tea! This week, Steph puts award-winning romance author Heidi McCahan in the hot seat for a fun, candid conversation about some of the biggest topics in the book world right now. From the constant discourse around AI to the rise of “books on boats” (yes, really), we talk about what’s trending, what’s actually selling, and how authors can navigate an ever-changing industry without losing their voice—or their sanity. We also get real about indie vs. traditional publishing, the myths behind “making it,” and why writing more books—no, not just one—is often the key to success. Don’t miss this thoughtful, honest, and perfectly spicy conversation! Thank you so much for listening! FIND HEIDI MCCAHAN: IG: @heidimccahan.author Website: www.heidimccahan.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers Conference Sunrise Publishing The Other Side of Good-Bye by Heidi McCahan The Long Way Back to You by Heidi McCahan The Shippers by Katherine Center Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair American Fantasy by Emma Straub The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

Packing your spring break bags? Don’t forget the most important item: BOOKS! In this sunshine-filled episode, Steph is joined by fellow voracious reader + bookstagrammer Hannah of @hannahk_reads to build the ultimate stack—filled with swoony romances, bingeable thrillers, meaningful fiction, and a few irresistible backlist gems you’ll want to toss straight into your beach bag. From emotional page-turners to light, flirty reads (plus a peek at what’s topping our current TBRs), this episode is your go-to guide for what to read by the pool, on the plane, or simply during golden hour in your own backyard. Whether you’re craving a fresh escape, a tearjerker, or your next five-star favorite, we’ve got you covered! Today, we chat:• Books we loved and can’t stop recommending• The perfect mix of romance, thrillers, and feel-something fiction• What’s currently on our spring TBRs—and why• Clean reads, closed-door recs, and a few surprises Grab your sunnies, your tote, and your stack—this one is made for reading season! Thank you so much for listening!  FIND HANNAH: IG: @hannahk_reads FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon Barnes & Noble TODAY’S UNDERLINES: The Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson Once and Again by Rebecca Serle The Briars by Sarah Crouch Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth Hello Stranger by Katherine Center Pickle Perfect by Ilana Long It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez Even After This by Deborah Clack If All Else Fails by Emma St. Clair Swept Away by Beth O’Leary Middletide by Sarah Crouch Just Don’t Fall by Emma St. Clair Theo of Golden by Allen Levi Twice by Mitch Albom The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez The Island Club by Nicola Harrison Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page

How many people can say they’ve gone from Team USA to USA Today bestselling author? At least one unstoppable, inspiring force—and we’re so lucky to hear from her! Today on Underline That, Steph is joined by Sarah Crouch, bestselling author of the literary thrillers Middletide and The Briars, and a former professional runner and Team USA marathoner. Sarah brings truly elite-level insight on perseverance, writing, running, motherhood, rejection, success, and the kind of grit it takes to keep showing up for a dream. Tune in to hear about her latest novel, The Briars—a banger Steph couldn’t put down! Sarah takes us behind the scenes of her atmospheric, immersive novels, sharing what it took to go from years of unpublished manuscripts to a breakout debut, and how the same endurance that carried her through elite racing has fueled her thriving writing career. It’s a can’t-miss conversation about resilience, running your race, and what happens when talent meets perseverance over time. Thank you so much for listening! FIND SARAH CROUCH: IG: @sarahcrouchauthorWebsite: www.sarahcrouch.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TODAY'S UNDERLINES: Middletide by Sarah Crouch The Briars by Sarah Crouch Untamed (starring Eric Bana) on Netflix Run Fast. Eat Slow. by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky

In this episode of Underline That, it’s a massive treat to have an editor in the hot seat! Today I’m joined by Kelsey Bowen—senior acquisitions editor at Baker Publishing Group and one of the brilliant editorial minds behind Haven Fiction, a brand-new imprint officially launching in 2026. Haven is carving out a lane that so many readers and writers are desperately craving: clean + wholesome, but fully mainstream reads filled with romance and unforgettable story. No spice. No profanity. No graphic content. And also no overt religious content—just emotionally rich, commercially compelling novels with clear content standards and a dependable reader promise. Kelsey shares what inspired Haven, who it’s for, and why “clean” doesn’t have to mean “light and fluffy.” We also go behind the curtain on acquisitions: how submissions are routed, what makes an editor fight for a project, and why strong writing still wins every time. Plus: the platform conversation (especially fiction vs. nonfiction), the power of newsletters and owned media, and Kelsey’s best advice for aspiring authors who hope to land in this lane. I’m obsessed with this one and know you’ll be, too!  Thank you so much for listening!  FIND HAVEN FICTION: Website: www.havenfiction.com FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TODAY'S UNDERLINES: Even After This by Deborah Clack The Housemaid by Freida McFadden Theo of Golden by Allen Levi The Correspondent by Virginia Evans