By: Michael Beas
In a genre often defined by dragons, destinies, and daring quests, authors Megan Linski and Alicia Rades have carved out a realm that is as grounded in human struggle as it is in magic. As the co-creators of the Hidden Legends universe—a sprawling collection of fantasy series steeped in myth, magic, and emotional truth—these two women have redefined what it means to write fantasy for the modern reader.
But their journey into co-authorship wasn’t scripted by fate—it started at a writing convention.
“We were both individual authors who met at a convention for authors,” the duo shared. “Megan did some editing work for Alicia, and we learned that we worked really well together. Alicia encouraged Megan to co-write multiple times before she finally agreed.”
That persistence paid off. Today, their collaborations have become well-regarded, celebrated for their rich worldbuilding and emotionally complex characters. Their writing process—both structured and intuitive—reflects the strength of their creative partnership.
“Our co-written books are dual point-of-view, so we each take one character,” they explained. “That has allowed us to maintain our own voices, while giving us a chance to work together to improve our writing.”
Beyond the mechanics of storytelling, what sets Hidden Legends apart is the emotional and philosophical undercurrent running through every spell and swordfight. The magical systems, while imaginative, often act as metaphors for real-world struggles—from identity crises to societal inequality.
“It doesn’t matter how magical the world is, there will always be real-life problems that our characters go through and have to face,” they said. “The magical systems in our fantasy books act as a metaphor for real-life experiences, and we get to help our readers process their own struggles by identifying with and reading our fiction.”
This philosophy has resonated deeply with readers—especially women navigating their own challenges. Whether it’s disability, mental health, infertility, or the complexities of motherhood, Linski and Rades write stories that bring attention to realities often left unexplored in fantasy.
“One of our talents is exploring women’s issues, especially since Megan is a disabled woman,” they shared. “Her books often focus on how to navigate the world as someone who is disabled, female, and typically feels out of place. She wants her characters who have disabilities to succeed instead of just surviving their circumstances.”
Their work doesn’t shy away from tough topics—but it doesn’t wallow in them either. Instead, it reclaims agency, showing women not just surviving, but thriving, healing, and leading.
“We also work with themes of marriage, motherhood, and infertility among young women,” they continued. “One of our top focuses is to write stories of strong women as they work to change the world.”
Indeed, empowerment is the heartbeat of the Hidden Legends universe. Female characters hold leadership positions, fight the battles, make the hard choices—and enjoy the romance too. But not at the expense of their autonomy.
“Our Hidden Legends Universe focuses on equal-dynamic, healthy romantic relationships where women have power and autonomy within their intimate connections,” the authors noted. “Some of our books have steamy content, and we want women to know you can find empowerment and pleasure in all the circumstances you choose for yourself.”
That nuanced take on romance—sensual yet affirming, magical yet deeply personal—adds another layer to their storytelling. And it’s part of what makes their characters resonate so deeply with readers.
Their collaborative process is remarkably smooth, built on mutual respect and clear communication. They alternate chapters based on their character’s point of view and share responsibilities in brainstorming, outlining, and editing. As for creative disagreements?
“They’re rare,” they said. “We work around them by coming up with solutions we both can agree on. If it’s not working for both of us, it’s not working, period.”
It’s a sentiment that speaks to the core of their values—not just as writers, but as women: collaboration over competition, compromise without sacrificing vision.
Asked what message they hope to leave with readers—particularly women facing challenges of their own—the answer was both heartfelt and powerful.
“Emotions are what we do best in our writing. We want to inspire people, especially people with challenging backgrounds such as disability and mental health, to pursue their dreams while uplifting their community. Our books feature themes of discovering your power and learning that YOU are the key to changing the world.”
In the end, Linski and Rades are doing more than telling stories. They’re building mythologies that speak to the soul, reminding readers that even in the darkest chapters of life, magic—whether real or metaphorical—is never far away.
“Even if you lose something along the way,” they said, “what you gain will be greater than what you left behind. You can find meaning in anything, even the darkest parts of your life.”
And in their hands, those hidden legends become visible truths.
