Courtney Walsh on Writing 40-Something Heroines & Why It’s Never Too Late

Courtney Walsh on Writing 40-Something Heroines & Why It’s Never Too Late

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 [https://www.instagram.com/courtneywalsh/] Website: www.courtneywalshwrites.com [http://www.courtneywalshwrites.com/] FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanienmack/]⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/underlinethatpod/] Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.stephaniemack.com/] PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Something-Else-Stephanie-Mack/dp/B0FVTSDPHC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GVANV9LG0KFP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TLl0hokW_ipVl087UNAk1Mu4ubQheYU3RgqvM3hR4UPi4raV1wt8-BgqtCl68rnjtsfSvx08kR-sWgCvPN-shi3vwrSJ3lc3UHlXpZJVIvlEUFWpEGSGw5z8orSbYMnoHOLsYs2tiDSv375ZRfUQ1bYDfd9iJk_7knhfOsUqWuPbKnVdV003LbtVUxpcjA7Y3oreC9Ez54GsSBjfue-vZTS3cZ2i5x9M4HrNU9KNoN0.4UwbdrPBa1jDelCJ4Q23EeGp8L0Nf8fdD3E7GK_O2oU&dib_tag=se&keywords=twenty+something+else&qid=1770249888&sprefix=twenty+something+els%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.target.com/p/twenty-something-else-by-stephanie-mack-paperback/-/A-1007044478] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twenty-something-else-stephanie-mack/1148516266] PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+we+blinked&i=audible&crid=177LK3R531L2G&sprefix=when+we+blink%2Caudible%2C205&ref=nb_sb_noss_2] Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-blinked-stephanie-mack/1139095091?ean=9798400514593] TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Brighter than Before by Courtney Walsh [https://www.instagram.com/courtneywalsh/] Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan [https://www.amazon.com/Dolly-All-Time-Annabel-Monaghan-ebook/dp/B0FNVHX96C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24B074WWS9RL4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Ua1ZCo4mabMaCcUWml5Ql0tFhKrT3WeCxpe2JYnDAvB9h4aAOcmF6JH6TFTCytJLXX56ohVln7BAqTvi_-z7eA5wd-sDsaEc8X3W8DlsRSrR1jWQC3cZ7-D0srVKi-PpeuxyD3mZqXfQB8AvtEneK1pjGuy1uz0ovYl8pxqeXwLTLyc7Ht1FlCTONgt-qDzB2LbzNWA8uxICvSGT7hebYxop0424O2UrhRCumj43qWM.RWNfzaeUJAexek1cV2EIhmXkFHIpBIK88T_3uqAJc5E&dib_tag=se&keywords=dolly+all+the+time&qid=1779941259&s=digital-text&sprefix=dolly+all+the+tim%2Cdigital-text%2C194&sr=1-1] Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels [https://www.amazon.com/Star-Crossed-Summer-Devon-Daniels-ebook/dp/B0FWBDVT1K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3GVLC9I0SZLGL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T0Q-9R9sWGD25nXEP0o-WQ.zoa9XmUNfdmEq1ibBLRvk4hquay95CLEp9YehQyluh0&dib_tag=se&keywords=devon+daniels+star+crosse&qid=1779941280&s=digital-text&sprefix=devon+daniels+star+cross%2Cdigital-text%2C197&sr=1-1] Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane [https://www.amazon.com/Cover-Story-Hilarious-Partnerships-Journalism-ebook/dp/B0DSG1GR1N/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XF81BRCU56PS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XlnANVNRo9_4240yOoEgfuQWvyv5UoKi5_qLft8c38977UDF1zKZknqCtKHTM3QhsoGK9WCtNnAfyIE9-ukkcgk9OHMQvWG0JycWeBRthXWAFoRl8v7K9U66kvGnN5r1P3Ot1ctH7m0pChBIQL2fmJq0uSd7Ral9z0G2PlUrp4GKGwtvppjzkpJDyAMxLOsk_nr1j8Wh40-__6_I1JZd4hvu7kds3QcIfY3Vp-FpgAg.mPqXfvXmemL0qa62MBY4xcCKeUmb4dZXa2eao195lP4&dib_tag=se&keywords=cover+story&qid=1779941297&s=digital-text&sprefix=cover+story%2Cdigital-text%2C210&sr=1-1] Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth [https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Mad-Mabel-A-Novel/dp/B0F9MJ1XQ6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1JP7VN1Q3HQ9Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DiX_19cPUfMeGC5AmQJOmsGkGA5s0QEp-x1T2WhxDLAapAJNPqikQuDsQpAlMH33ZuBGag7T9x2mc2miLq-YF-L_8FIZ8W7G52DNVhST1gw.LLF-wzwTIkjATkejXdnmekI6bOIf4j5oDPNY4qDKjxk&dib_tag=se&keywords=mad+mabel&qid=1779941384&sprefix=mad+mabe%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-1]

Both Can Be True | Fiction, Truth & Contradictions with Jessica Guerrieri

Today on Underline That, Jessica Guerrieri [https://www.jessicaguerrieri.net/] 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 [https://www.amazon.com/Both-Can-Be-True-Novel-ebook/dp/B0FFSLGH7W/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2F3UXCAHB7J0U&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PeOqbexLM1jY76LNER6UX5ZxsvN0mDToRwVs2btDU6T-W0N97hKmdpwGRUpjvjGysRxkoEmpiXqrtLXc-6t9CR3iAR4ixcaCfIqO5Yu0aGc.pABayNOKsDNq-ReOnv_7d-cy9COCrARVISrayDBv_m0&dib_tag=se&keywords=both+can+be+true&qid=1779292014&s=digital-text&sprefix=both+can+be+tru%2Cdigital-text%2C178&sr=1-1], 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 [https://www.instagram.com/jessicaguerrieriauthor/] Website: www.jessicaguerrieri.net [http://www.jessicaguerrieri.net/] FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanienmack/]⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/underlinethatpod/] Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.stephaniemack.com/] PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Something-Else-Stephanie-Mack/dp/B0FVTSDPHC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GVANV9LG0KFP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TLl0hokW_ipVl087UNAk1Mu4ubQheYU3RgqvM3hR4UPi4raV1wt8-BgqtCl68rnjtsfSvx08kR-sWgCvPN-shi3vwrSJ3lc3UHlXpZJVIvlEUFWpEGSGw5z8orSbYMnoHOLsYs2tiDSv375ZRfUQ1bYDfd9iJk_7knhfOsUqWuPbKnVdV003LbtVUxpcjA7Y3oreC9Ez54GsSBjfue-vZTS3cZ2i5x9M4HrNU9KNoN0.4UwbdrPBa1jDelCJ4Q23EeGp8L0Nf8fdD3E7GK_O2oU&dib_tag=se&keywords=twenty+something+else&qid=1770249888&sprefix=twenty+something+els%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.target.com/p/twenty-something-else-by-stephanie-mack-paperback/-/A-1007044478] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twenty-something-else-stephanie-mack/1148516266] PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+we+blinked&i=audible&crid=177LK3R531L2G&sprefix=when+we+blink%2Caudible%2C205&ref=nb_sb_noss_2] Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-blinked-stephanie-mack/1139095091?ean=9798400514593] TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri [https://www.amazon.com/Both-Can-Be-True-Novel/dp/1400345987/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.YNTVI3k1ShfSzo-JQg80Ya-5X7bKb0PnyqqS_n8EUbHTOrFHUhipF81oMMHb9N3zlKBz8SAxPAfaR4UfPcRjNMNEm_LoABf9lS4-UbNAhDrRB-k9c0WmIUGaYpmXgig8p03GgB8_8L75zMG5dZzMh60LbPAcPMlWUjXRVxQxfogcrIb86Ww_w-4ZbVccFHLmc0LDaBHYbri6CbL7HUe8hWEGP3Jl8krO4CPwVHRA0m8.ZuNp2Y857MqmL0e-6moi0EAGD7w9Cj3W8NItNow2gSc&qid=1779291847&sr=8-2] Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica Guerrieri [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8VNBC76/?bestFormat=true&k=between%20the%20devil%20and%20the%20deep%20blue%20sea&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-v2_k0_1_26_de&crid=138J52U52D41Y&sprefix=between%20the%20devil%20and%20the%20]

Bookmarked for Love & Vulnerability with Sarah Monzon

This week on Underline That, Steph chats with bestselling Christian romance author Sarah Monzon about her adorable upcoming release, Bookmarked for Love [https://www.amazon.com/Bookmarked-Love-Contemporary-Book-about-Books-Forced-Proximity/dp/0764243764]—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: @sarahmonzonwrites [https://www.instagram.com/sarahmonzonwrites/] Website: www.sarahmonzonwrites.com [http://www.sarahmonzonwrites.com/] FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanienmack/]⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/underlinethatpod/] Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.stephaniemack.com/] PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Something-Else-Stephanie-Mack/dp/B0FVTSDPHC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GVANV9LG0KFP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TLl0hokW_ipVl087UNAk1Mu4ubQheYU3RgqvM3hR4UPi4raV1wt8-BgqtCl68rnjtsfSvx08kR-sWgCvPN-shi3vwrSJ3lc3UHlXpZJVIvlEUFWpEGSGw5z8orSbYMnoHOLsYs2tiDSv375ZRfUQ1bYDfd9iJk_7knhfOsUqWuPbKnVdV003LbtVUxpcjA7Y3oreC9Ez54GsSBjfue-vZTS3cZ2i5x9M4HrNU9KNoN0.4UwbdrPBa1jDelCJ4Q23EeGp8L0Nf8fdD3E7GK_O2oU&dib_tag=se&keywords=twenty+something+else&qid=1770249888&sprefix=twenty+something+els%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.target.com/p/twenty-something-else-by-stephanie-mack-paperback/-/A-1007044478] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twenty-something-else-stephanie-mack/1148516266] PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+we+blinked&i=audible&crid=177LK3R531L2G&sprefix=when+we+blink%2Caudible%2C205&ref=nb_sb_noss_2] Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-blinked-stephanie-mack/1139095091?ean=9798400514593] TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Bookmarked for Love by Sarah Monzon [https://www.amazon.com/Bookmarked-Love-Contemporary-Book-about-Books-Forced-Proximity/dp/0764243764/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.nOq_I7FGcghzHkG5Y9n5bnWYmXl0_CPUmkdQ845CMI-by5_6kHsaZYjbgSB97Kwgq5EBDitlZSE6CX_tffX4neQ22wQP99CDtPbPH7XdjkMo_y4sxX_x9mz68idTfswgqS8y9iTXu9pznUNNVoZ2XR6W2-O8cLU4hQwq7Tw-jNR52XtAyW0QbZNgUdIy-91VLTJzgMPj1zOp4T_b5khrOpFr0W0gFlA6XFCJDA8WsPI.jgBOpWiUvUMPRoMIYCoP42EelZzfkdCLIZ-2eoahilQ&qid=1778627259&sr=8-1] Hearts in Circulation by Sarah Monzon [https://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Circulation-Book-about-Books-Forced-Proximity-Grumpy-Sunshine-ebook/dp/B0F2PHXZP7/ref=sr_1_3?crid=N2ZRTC02B5D9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.u5kDcEZ6CJf0p4NrT9cWQSF-jTNoz_yYj2iFVgmQvOTFXT6sdTPX0JQeraOUvCBCPmEHo5ARIurgOFANHxMRXlS4eH0FMDHEv3jxiI8p3qZrB3Zgmb6HsW-y2681LorkyKD1EnrJ1d6iXb4ateIEuo-k-NxujX8mrRnHHrpx6wAhw7j4R7BJI2vn2gpa3a1elgURscKRxGU2hjR85hhkKB115sX0ncEgraPOdd9PwnY.7WAUq9C3nEZtZps0jiAEMz7fZwqg-JZlKBRdVT9C8po&dib_tag=se&keywords=sarah+monzon&qid=1778628286&s=digital-text&sprefix=sarah+monz%2Cdigital-text%2C209&sr=1-3] An Overdue Match by Sarah Monzon by Sarah Monzon [https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Studios-on-Brilliance-Overdue/dp/B0DLYKYQ53/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38QUAAPHVOZ0L&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.99aYBopwGWGNYMr66FRBgA.GTpxmliS6fe7K7eIR1kOJHAbxISEjsi4uuLd0hBb7to&dib_tag=se&keywords=an+overdue+sarah+monzon&qid=1778628255&s=audible&sprefix=an+overdue+sarah+monz%2Caudible%2C186&sr=1-1] All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon [https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Alls-Fair-Love-Christmas/dp/B0C9V5X1T5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AAGZPKVCG95D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dHqqRgpSi7gF_b3bSO0K6cMD6Hiny1W6QWmzvIuJz--f9n58ORhOxE6YwiqdWK74w54lq6DDui6-awqQqDyupeWzFzkK_ml0VwnmxIgWceqd4H3C3qFFAafVu-sf3lnGsDd8OReoHuyFa_7FKnr9Zd9LyGC4gKsBoC7qCaaOHbwa_59ie-JHdDWfGP-Sp5hGVa1uJQcQue3UtAzZYNWcC_Fj2tzjpD3Zo1p-_EpvA4Q.4HAUdBU23WQjlEKYCo0UCrqV4za2I5RIyBTwxRxfSkA&dib_tag=se&keywords=all%27s+fair+in+love+and+christmas&qid=1778628224&sprefix=all%27s+fair+in+love+and+christm%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1]

Road Trips, Real Lives & Trad Wives with USA Today Bestselling Author Eliza Knight

This week on Underline That, Steph is joined by Eliza Knight [https://elizaknight.com/]—USA Today bestselling author of the upcoming novel Lost in the Summer of ’69 [https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Summer-69-Eliza-Knight/dp/1464255113], 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: @elizaknightfiction [https://elizaknight.com/] Website: www.elizaknight.com [http://www.elizaknight.com/] FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanienmack/]⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/underlinethatpod/] Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.stephaniemack.com/] PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Something-Else-Stephanie-Mack/dp/B0FVTSDPHC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GVANV9LG0KFP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TLl0hokW_ipVl087UNAk1Mu4ubQheYU3RgqvM3hR4UPi4raV1wt8-BgqtCl68rnjtsfSvx08kR-sWgCvPN-shi3vwrSJ3lc3UHlXpZJVIvlEUFWpEGSGw5z8orSbYMnoHOLsYs2tiDSv375ZRfUQ1bYDfd9iJk_7knhfOsUqWuPbKnVdV003LbtVUxpcjA7Y3oreC9Ez54GsSBjfue-vZTS3cZ2i5x9M4HrNU9KNoN0.4UwbdrPBa1jDelCJ4Q23EeGp8L0Nf8fdD3E7GK_O2oU&dib_tag=se&keywords=twenty+something+else&qid=1770249888&sprefix=twenty+something+els%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.target.com/p/twenty-something-else-by-stephanie-mack-paperback/-/A-1007044478] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twenty-something-else-stephanie-mack/1148516266] PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: ⁠Amazon⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+we+blinked&i=audible&crid=177LK3R531L2G&sprefix=when+we+blink%2Caudible%2C205&ref=nb_sb_noss_2] ⁠Barnes & Noble⁠ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-blinked-stephanie-mack/1139095091?ean=9798400514593] TODAY’S UNDERLINES: Lost in the Summer of ‘69 by Eliza Knight [https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Summer-69-Eliza-Knight/dp/1464255113] Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë [https://www.amazon.com/Jane-Eyre-Dover-Thrift-Editions/dp/0486424499/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=LUPAB3WUORAJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bMTmhyuO2IBjzIXU8ZwqdvebP7aaXgCSNHNMufHg0Jf0ErUI5ZIAX1qfIP02Kv1fJT1zxCAdodcm4xXnX0Al57mydmC8ouR8TV062GdQVraTuhx3ODgHpReA6mogbR3nwhgM1bRCdgpct__IuFjctqR50xbRUCibnYOWkjLsgGM-TJXxvEdxK-Aw4ZD22NuNI5u7wV0U-OdGYvKQdoKXwEWJBcEM1TeaNJLWC7TjXsIJZjBSGXKSJsODlbjo3CFyeQAiINVZM9PriUrC_NVoN037K0KBnr6i2ANLzkGtymk.LvinbLLqiBruKFebqb2RjrKaE6xugrdaesO5U4_fJtw&dib_tag=se&keywords=jane+eyre&qid=1778083085&s=books&sprefix=jane+ey%2Cstripbooks%2C203&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1] Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight [https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Confessions-Grammar-Queen-Novel/dp/B0FB9NB4FH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38OMC093V3BNX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bqMOxLQm5sL7US2mkbWrCeMnZXW70IYOMV3T80dQAIS2OmiBwB5-kg7UcENtOkVfHdBH5Ltc1Zk-Pkl8LI7GbQ.Zi0TjyDWs59YPCIiGxWrmgORfXh9J9DtC7v-KoOPGiE&dib_tag=se&keywords=confessions+of+a+grammar+queen&qid=1778083113&s=books&sprefix=confessions+of+a+grammar+que%2Cstripbooks%2C196&sr=1-1]

Magical Realism, Meet-Cutes & The Roman Holiday Rule

In today’s episode, Steph is joined by rom-com author Andra Loy [https://andraloy.com/] to talk about her delightful, magical rom-com debut, The Roman Holiday Rule [https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Holiday-Rule-Rivals-Lovers/dp/0764245953/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s4STR2wF92QEBYLrPhIfcA.yVogxniLCGGYKVXRLQz_hW2tUvnxR2j54ErW2CjJ1qA&qid=1777485420&sr=8-1] from Haven Fiction [https://havenfiction.com/]—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 [https://www.instagram.com/andraloy/] Website: www.andraloy.com [http://www.andraloy.com/] FOLLOW STEPH + THE POD: IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stephanienmack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/stephanienmack/]⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@underlinethatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/underlinethatpod/] Website:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.stephaniemack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.stephaniemack.com/] PRE-ORDER TWENTY SOMETHING ELSE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.amazon.com/Twenty-Something-Else-Stephanie-Mack/dp/B0FVTSDPHC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1GVANV9LG0KFP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TLl0hokW_ipVl087UNAk1Mu4ubQheYU3RgqvM3hR4UPi4raV1wt8-BgqtCl68rnjtsfSvx08kR-sWgCvPN-shi3vwrSJ3lc3UHlXpZJVIvlEUFWpEGSGw5z8orSbYMnoHOLsYs2tiDSv375ZRfUQ1bYDfd9iJk_7knhfOsUqWuPbKnVdV003LbtVUxpcjA7Y3oreC9Ez54GsSBjfue-vZTS3cZ2i5x9M4HrNU9KNoN0.4UwbdrPBa1jDelCJ4Q23EeGp8L0Nf8fdD3E7GK_O2oU&dib_tag=se&keywords=twenty+something+else&qid=1770249888&sprefix=twenty+something+els%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Target⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.target.com/p/twenty-something-else-by-stephanie-mack-paperback/-/A-1007044478] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnes & Noble⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twenty-something-else-stephanie-mack/1148516266] PRE-ORDER WHEN WE BLINKED: Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=when+we+blinked&i=audible&crid=177LK3R531L2G&sprefix=when+we+blink%2Caudible%2C205&ref=nb_sb_noss_2] Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-we-blinked-stephanie-mack/1139095091?ean=9798400514593] TODAY’S UNDERLINES: The Roman Holiday Rule by Andra Loy [https://www.amazon.com/Roman-Holiday-Rule-Rivals-Lovers/dp/0764245953/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s4STR2wF92QEBYLrPhIfcA.yVogxniLCGGYKVXRLQz_hW2tUvnxR2j54ErW2CjJ1qA&qid=1777485420&sr=8-1] My Friends by Fredrik Backman [https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Studios-on-Brilliance-Friends/dp/B0DJRQR52T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F9Y7F6ALUJO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.SxiE5F5TEa2-tC1FAoklEGgEYrI5RDDNihPdx4YSZ7LVLHpyzxF7nAG67nInPN4Nlp0bl-X204xbipuGS3kXZoBaxPh8fKKiEBJC5nxXhMUN83kVlwFWfCoGnTtrZZVde8y6zDeY56AaY5Sia55GT03KheXsnrKlGJBfAADOV4Cy7Hsmrh8tDopV0am68WILPgcciXRk3EHnjvF5Hh4vLoVqMs1zpu8xULDBvTr9Z8I.c2pjb4MYrlm5FpKo73payIlQfdsRlneNiA6fo3sEwQY&dib_tag=se&keywords=my+friends+fredrik+backman&qid=1777485453&sbo=55gskJHyCA6291U4OeI0Ow%3D%3D&sprefix=my+friends+fre%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-1]