Discover the Heart and Family History Behind Meet Me Under the Lights by Cassie Miller | S5 EP231: Book Banter Podcast
- Dianne Burckhardt
- 7 hours ago
- 6 min read
Cassie Miller discusses how teaching, theater, and her family's rich theatrical history helped shape her debut young adult romance, Meet Me Under the Lights, and previews her upcoming holiday rom-com.
Hello My Happy People,
One of the things I enjoy most about hosting Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt is discovering the stories behind the books. Every author brings a unique perspective to their work, and sometimes those inspirations come from places you would never expect. This week's guest, Cassie Miller, gave us a wonderful look behind the curtain of her debut young adult romance, Meet Me Under the Lights, and shared how teaching, theater, and her own family history all found their way into the pages of her novel.
Cassie spent twelve years as a high school English and Creative Writing teacher before becoming an elementary school librarian. During our conversation, we talked about how helping students discover their own voices as writers also influenced her own journey as an author. Encouraging young people to tell their stories reminded her to keep pursuing her own dream of publication, eventually leading to the release of Meet Me Under the Lights.
While the book is centered around Eliza Crowley and Reed Fulton, two young people caught in the middle of a thirty-year family feud, there is another love story woven throughout the novel, Cassie's lifelong connection to the theater. That connection didn't begin with her. It stretches back generations.
Cassie shared that her grandparents owned a theater costume shop in New York during the 1940s, and theater has remained part of her family's story ever since. She has directed musicals, worked as a lighting designer, and spent years involved in productions behind the scenes. Those experiences naturally became part of Meet Me Under the Lights, where community theater plays an important role alongside baseball, friendship, family, and first love.
One of my favorite moments from our conversation came when Cassie explained why she intentionally includes pieces of herself and her family in every story she writes. Rather than separating fiction from real life, she believes those authentic details create stronger connections with readers. After hearing her talk about the people and experiences that shaped her, it's easy to see why her characters feel genuine and relatable.
Cassie also gave listeners a little preview of her upcoming young adult holiday rom-com, Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane. Describing it as the Hallmark Channel meets My Big Fat Greek Wedding, it already sounds like exactly the kind of heartwarming Christmas story readers will want to curl up with during the holiday season. I know I'll be looking forward to seeing it when it arrives.
Of course, no episode of Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt would be complete without the Five Quick Questions. Cassie shared that her husband would probably tell you her best dish is her chicken fajitas, made with her special marinade. It's these little moments that remind us authors aren't just the names on the covers of our favorite books. They have families, favorite recipes, hobbies, and everyday lives just like the rest of us, and those personal glimpses often become some of the most memorable moments of an interview.
As a fellow fan of good storytelling, I also enjoyed hearing Cassie recommend the Percy Jackson television series on Disney+. She feels the adaptation stays true to the spirit Rick Riordan intended for his characters, making it a series she believes viewers of every age can enjoy.
I genuinely enjoyed spending time with Cassie. She has a natural enthusiasm for storytelling, a deep appreciation for family, and a clear passion for helping young readers discover books with which they can connect. One thing I came away from this interview thinking was that I truly hope she has many more books ahead of her because I'd love to welcome her back to the podcast in the future.
If you haven't had a chance to listen to this week's episode yet, I hope you'll take some time to do so. You'll hear even more about Cassie's journey from teacher to librarian to published author, the inspirations behind her debut young adult romance, and the stories she hopes readers will carry with them long after they've turned the final page.
Enjoy,
Dianne
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