Le’hasa!

Welcome back to Argren – a kick-ass epic fantasy series about witches and rebels who take on an evil oligarchy!

Welcome to all new members who signed up as part of the ongoing book funnel promotion! So happy to be growing a community of folks who actually read. As a child and young adult, reading for pleasure was as natural as breathing. Not any longer. If you’re struggling to find the time, energy and focus to read novels, you are not alone. A podcast about this really struck a nerve. Our writing and community building adventure is one small effort to reclaim our brains.

It all begins with books that grab your attention. Here are some book funnel reads you may want to check out:

• Ongoing: Free Book Fridays! link to book funnel free book Fridays.
• Starting August 1^st: Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books – check out a chapter from a collection of non-romance sci-fi and fantasy.
• Starting August 15^th: Exploring New Worlds: Worldbuilding in Fantasy and Science Fiction
• Ends August 15^th “Once Upon a Quest: Fantasy & Sci-fi With Myth, Legend, Lore, and Fairy Tale Twists”.

Oss'Stera book release September 4th!

Some early reviews of the latest novel in the Spirit Song: Rebels Rising series:

• Oss’stera is a masterful blend of epic fantasy and character-driven storytelling. Ross Hightower and Deb Heim have crafted a tale that is as emotionally engaging as it is adventurous, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
•  I love the ties between political and cultural forces, such as the Desulti Order’s maneuvers and the Inquisition’s pursuit of Alle’oss artists, which is a brilliantly unique element that elevates institutions and belief systems as genuine forces of disruption. 
• If you’ve been drawn to the rich cultures of The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne or the intimate rebellions of The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, this will call to your soul.

News from Argren Faire!

If you are in the Milwaukee area Saturday September 13^th, please visit us for Argren Faire, a Ren Faire based on the world of Argren. A festival of fantasy authors, artists, food vendors, live action role players and mermaids (it’s complicated). Several local artists are helping with images to promote the event. David Arnold, who is also pouring hot aluminum (!) at the event, created the flyer. One of the mermaids (in her human form) created the Argren Faire logo. E.E. Bowers created some amazing sketches of characters for the costume contest. Our friends at Deeplight LARP are helping us with the scavenger hunt. Finally, one of our vendors, Twining Tree Creations, created a scroll image we will use this year for our scavenger hunt, and next year for the t-shirts. Really looking forward to "pummel the plutocrat" theme at the Tomato Justice booth.

What we’re reading

Ross is reading Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen. Hiaasen once said it was as if the entire country was lifted up, tipped and shaken, and all the nuts ended up in Florida. We thought he was exaggerating until we lived there. He wasn't.

Deb just finished another Michael Harnett book, Blue Gowanus. An excerpt from her review: This book reminds me of The City We Became by NK Jemison. Beyond the New York City setting, both books assert that a city has a spirit as fragile as the ecosystem and just as precious. And protecting that spirit requires an unflagging determination to combat the forces of capitalist excess. 

Why we love Milwaukee

Only on the Riverwest Secret Garden Tour do you meet crunchy, off-the-grid hippies in the middle of the city, happy to share their vegetable growing hacks.

https://linktr.ee/quizzicalllc

Check out our latest book, Desulti, prequel to the Spirit Song Saga

Our website

Tok se Andsutra!

Ross and Deb