🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where epic quests begin childhood notebooks, gods get their love stories, and indie fantasy builds worlds without limits.

This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan are joined by indie fantasy author Beck Michaels, creator of the sprawling Guardians of the Maiden series and the god-centered romantasy prequels King’s Bride and King’s Kiss. From writing toucan reunion stories in elementary school to building multi-series fantasy lore inspired by forests, rain, and classic epic fantasy, Beck shares the deeply personal creative roots behind her worlds.

We dive into her journey from teenage notebook drafts to indie publishing success, why she chose creative control over the traditional path, and how her stories expanded from a quest-driven found-family epic into darker, adult fairy-tale romances centered on gods, monsters, and mythic love. Beck also takes us behind the scenes of indie special editions, painted edges, and character covers, and explains how experimentation helped her stand out early in the indie space.

We also talk about writing outside your comfort zone, discovering themes after the story is written, and why some of her most powerful character moments come straight from real-life lines spoken by her husband.

🗺️ What happens when a teenage fantasy draft refuses to stay unfinished?
🦢 How do epic quests and godly romances grow from the same world?
🖤 And why do dark gods deserve their happy endings too?

This episode is a must-listen for epic fantasy readers, romantasy lovers, and indie authors building worlds of their own.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…

✨ Beck’s early writing roots from elementary school storybooks to high school epic fantasy drafts.
✨ How Lord of the Rings, fairy lore, and nature shaped the Guardians world.
✨ Pausing writing to raise a family and returning years later to finish the story.
✨ Choosing indie publishing to keep creative control over story, covers, and direction.
✨ The massive learning curve behind indie publishing success.
✨ The Guardians of the Maiden series — epic quest fantasy, found family, magical relics, and shadow demons.
✨ Expanding the same world into adult god-centered romantasy with King’s Bride and King’s Kiss.
✨ Rune, the god of shadows, and why villains need love stories too.
✨ Building special editions as an indie author, including painted edges, boxes, merch, and production challenges.
✨ Real-life inspiration — how her husband’s words become romantic dialogue
✨ Writing themes that appear subconsciously, including forgiveness, self-acceptance, loving the “monstrous” parts.
✨ Advice for aspiring writers.

🐦 CONNECT WITH US
🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic
👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland
👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill
📦 Guest: Beck Michaels – @Beck_Michaels

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