Today’s guest is a woman who turned a life-altering diagnosis into a creative awakening. When Renée Hill was diagnosed with breast cancer, she didn’t retreat from life — she leaned into it. In the midst of treatment, uncertainty, and fear, she made a bold decision: she would finally get serious about writing. What began as a deeply personal distractionbecame something far more powerful.

Her first book, BOBBY & PATRICIA JO, was written as a gift for her mother’s 90th birthday — a tribute to legacy, love, and the sacred gift of still being here. Her second book, B0UND, continues her journey as a storyteller unafraid to explore what holds us captive and what sets us free.

Before becoming an author, Renée spent 20 years as a local radio on-air personality, performed in local theater, sangwith choral groups like Steadfast Love, worked briefly in newspaper, and devoted over two decades to preteen ministry — writing curriculum and shaping young hearts and minds. Storytelling has always been in her bones.

Renée Hill is a member of the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc. and Invite to Write. B0UND is Renée Hill’s second book, but she has always enjoyed putting words together, beginning with her 20-year career in local radio as an on-air personality, on stage in local heater, singing with choral groups like Steadfast Love, a brief stint in newspaper, andfinally her work in preteen ministry, where she wrote much of the curriculum and taught young people for over 23 years.These days, Renée spends most afternoons in her writing nook with a cup of Earl Grey, typing away on her computer. She is also a very active wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoys traveling with her husband, spending time with her family, getting together with friends, gardening, playing her guitar, and wrestling with her miniature poodle.https://quillhawkpublishing.com/pages/author/renee-hill

https://www.facebook.com/reneehillwrites

https://www.instagram.com/reneehillwrites/

Welcome to Quixotic Heights—the podcast where we explore the winding paths that lead us to who we are becoming.

Today’s guest is award-winning romantasy author Jennifer Lees, creator of the Arlan’s Pledge series and the Community Chronicles.

Jenn’s road to writing is anything but conventional. She spent decades serving others: as a nurse in outback Australia; training in midwifery in the UK; living in Nairobi with her husband helping to run a children’s home; then serving in Christian ministry in regional Australia while also working as an oncology nurse.

Without formal training in creative writing, Jenny taught herself the craft—through courses, conferences, and sheer determination—eventually turning lived experience, compassion, and courage into richly imagined fantasy worlds. After retiring from nursing and returning to Scotland in 2023, she now writes full-time, bringing stories of love, resilience, and hope to readers around the world.

Website: https://jennleeswriter.com

Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/c/jennleesfantasyauthor/about

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennleeswriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennleeswriter

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jenn-Lees/author/B07KGN6G7S

Map maker: JI Rogers with Myth Spinner Studios

⁠https://jirogers-author.com⁠

Jenn has travelled extensively and lived on three continents. Although Australia is the land of her birth, Scotland has always called her back. This land remains her source of inspiration, where she now lives with her husband and close family nearby.

Jenn loves walking through a forest and climbing a mountain to experience the view. Or exploring a castle ruin and soaking in the history. Her only disappointment in life is that time travel is not possible... apparently.

Award-winning fantasy author Jenn Lees’ latest release, OfHigh Kings and Mages: Arlan's Pledge Book Three, reached the Semi-Finalist stage in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction 2024 CIBAs (Chanticleer International Book Awards).

Of Warriors and Sages: Arlan's Pledge Book Two reachedSemi-Finalist in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction 2023 (as the manuscript The Quest). Longlisted in the Realm Awards 2025 Fantasy Section. As the manuscript The Quest reached the Top 10 in Ink & Insights 2021.

Jenn Lees' Best Selling novel, Of Myths And Portals: Arlan's Pledge Book One achieved First Place Award (Gold) in TheBookFest Fall 2024 Fiction-Romance-Fantasy, Second Place Award (Silver) in The BookFest fall 2024 Fiction-Fantasy-Magic, Myths and Legends, and Fiction-Christian-Fantasy

The Crossing: Arlan’s Pledge Book 1 (re-released as Of Myths and Portals) achieved the finals in the OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction (previous draft manuscript) CIBA 2021.

Restoring Time (Book 4 of the Community Chronicles Series) reached the finals in the CYGNUS Awards for Science Fiction 2021 CIBA.

An Ink & Insights Competition judge says of Arlan's Pledge: ‘Beautifully crafted, full of rich setting descriptions, tension that caught my attention and kept it, and characters that leapt off the page. This author is a skilled storyteller.’ (Melody Quinn. Ink & Insights 2021 Competition Master Category Judge)

Welcome to Quixotic Heights —the podcast where we explore the bold ideas, creative journeys, and unconventional paths that shape extraordinary lives.

Katelyn Honigsberg is a writer, editor, and journalist whose career bridges creativity and credibility. Katelyn is an Executive Assistant and Junior Editor at Quill Hawk Publishing, where she helps bring powerful stories into the world.

She’s also a published author, having self-published her first novel, A Tale of Darkness & Light, while still in high school — a feat that set the tone for a career fueled by ambition and storytelling.

In addition to publishing, Katelyn writes breaking news for Channel 4 in Oklahoma, balancing speed, accuracy, and integrity in today’s fast-paced media landscape.

In this episode, we’ll talk about writing young, editing professionally, navigating journalism, and what it really takes to grow as a storyteller across multiple disciplines. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a publishing professional, or just someone who loves a good story, this conversation is for you.

Katelyn Honigsberg is a young, passionate individual chasing her dreams to the best of her ability. Self-published as a Sophomore in high school, Katelyn is dedicated to a career in the literary world with hopes of one day being a bestselling author. Attending the University of Central Oklahoma for a bachelor’s in English and a minor in Technical Writing is onlythe tipping point of all she’s going to do. When she isn’t reading or writing, she enjoys playing card games or binge-watching her favorite shows, such as ‘The Office’ or ‘Brooklyn 99.’ Katelyn is passionate about her faith and wants to recognize God and all His good works for everything He has done for her.

https://sites.google.com/view/katelyn-writes/home

https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Darkness-Light-Katelyn-Honigsberg/dp/1088177433