Featured Interview With Author Ross Hightower
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I lived most of my life in the south, but live in Milwaukee and love it. Former owner of many dogs and cats, but currently no pets.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve read widely most of my life, but in recent years, I’ve gravitated more and more to fantasy. My college roommate introduced me to the Lord of the Rings. It’s the magic, the sense of wonder, stark boundaries between good and evil (although that’s not always the case), the hero’s journey and the struggle against impossible odds. Those are the things that keep drawing back.
I was lying in bed one night, six years ago, and started wondering how fantasy writers come up with unique and interesting magic systems. So, I set about trying to come up with one. I do that sort of thing often at night, rather than think about work. When I woke up the next morning, the only thing I remember was the idea that, when the magically adept were young, they cause pain in the people around them. For some reason I can’t explain, I found myself in a coffee shop that snowy morning writing a story to answer that question. I hadn’t written fiction since the ninth grade. All I had was two characters and that idea and I wrote for three hours. That story ended being a pivotal chapter in my first novel Spirit Sight.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I mostly read fantasy, although I have been reading thrillers lately as I dabble in a new genre with an upcoming book. Some of my favorites are Django Wexler, JRR Tolkien, Katherine Addison, Patrick Rothfuss, Samantha Shann, and RA Salvatore. I am inspired by writers who manage complex plotlines while developing characters and providing emotional beats.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Our latest book, which will come out September 4th, 2025 is Oss'stera, the next book in the Rebels Rising series. It continues the story of Alar, the leader of the rebel group Oss'stera. In a world where art can be an act of political rebellion, Alar leads the rag-tag rebel group Oss'stera against the Vollen Empire bent on repressing the Alle'oss people. Finding themselves in the center of high stakes political maneuvering, Alar and fellow rebels Scilla and Ukrit hatch a daring scheme—infiltrate an elite art event and escape with a lord's treasure.
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