Underline That

Stephanie Mack
  • 4.9 (17)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Underline That—the podcast where we go beyond the page. From powerful fiction to industry insights, creative leaders to real-life stories, we explore the things worth underlining. Each week, join author Stephanie Mack + guests for conversations about books, the business, womanhood, life, pop culture, and the quiet challenges we don't always speak out loud. If you've ever underlined a sentence and felt seen, this is for you. Get ready for real books, bold talks, and big underlines!

  1. 22H AGO

    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—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

    41 min

  2. 6D AGO

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

    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

    39 min

  3. APR 30

    Magical Realism, Meet-Cutes & The Roman Holiday Rule

    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

    49 min

  4. APR 23

    Balboa Island, Buried Secrets & A Book You’ll Devour

    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

    44 min

  5. APR 16

    Why I'm Obsessed with StoryGraph Lately

    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

    17 min

  6. APR 2

    Hot Takes with Heidi McCahan: AI, Boat Books & What's Actually Selling

    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

    1h 6m

  7. MAR 26

    Spring Break Shelfies: The Stack to Pack

    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

    48 min

  8. MAR 19

    From Elite Runner to Breakout Novelist: Sarah Crouch on the Power of Grit

    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

    52 min
See All (29)

4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Welcome to Underline That—the podcast where we go beyond the page. From powerful fiction to industry insights, creative leaders to real-life stories, we explore the things worth underlining. Each week, join author Stephanie Mack + guests for conversations about books, the business, womanhood, life, pop culture, and the quiet challenges we don't always speak out loud. If you've ever underlined a sentence and felt seen, this is for you. Get ready for real books, bold talks, and big underlines!

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Mack
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephanie Mack
  • Show Website
    Underline That

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