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 opening
- Her unexpected path from teenage romances to award-winning mysteries
- Her honest take on social media, book sales, and author scams
- The 1,500-word daily goal—and simple habit—that keeps her writing
- Collaborating with her daughter and finding small comforts after losing her husband
Whether 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!
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CONNECT WITH RHYS BOWEN:
IG: @authorrhysbowen
Website: www.rhysbowen.com
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IG: @stephanienmack, @underlinethatpod
Website: www.stephaniemack.com
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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
