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About

A. Piper Burgi's Biography

Author Photo A. Piper Burgi.jpg

My grandmother used to say: “As long as I have a good book to read, I will be at peace.” I feel the same way. I love books. I love to read them, and I love to write them. I find there’s nothing more exhilarating than to immerse myself in a story and with it the opportunity to see a whole new world.

 

I suppose I should have known from the beginning that I want to be a writer. I come from a long line of storytellers. I’ve always been an avid reader since I first learned how to read, and as a child I spent a great many hours alone wholly absorbed in my own imaginings.

 

I began writing in my spare time shortly after my mother had suddenly passed away. Just a few months prior she had asked for my help to get her memoirs published, but neither one of us had any idea where to begin. As I worked hard to keep my promise to my late mother, I needed to create some balance between the sad memories of my mother's passing and my active lifestyle. And I found that when writing my stories. Before I knew it, I was entirely consumed by this new pastime. This journey, born out of love and loss, has led me to where I am today.

 

Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to get home, to my corner on the sofa with the laptop computer in my lap (I know, it’s such a cliché), and write. I often had some new idea for a scene, a character or a piece of dialogue popping into my head while at the grocery store, running an errand, or out for dinner, and I’d run back home, worried that I might lose the idea before I got a chance to write it down.

 

Thrilled and invigorated by this early part of the publishing process, I kept going. Writing became an indulgence for weeknights and weekends and so much more. Four years and four published non-fiction books later, including the canine health book LIVING WITH CANINE EPILEPSY, I realized that there was more to writing and publishing. So, based on my love of history, I began writing my first historical fiction mystery IN THE SHADOW OF HER MAJESTY in 2015, which went on to win the Firebird Book Award {category: mystery} in 2021.

 

My second historical fiction novel, THE COUNTRY GIRL EMPRESS, set in the vibrant and captivating period of 19th century Austria, which always held a special place in my heart, went on to win the 2021 Firebird Book Award [category: historical fiction]. This book, like all my works, is meticulously researched to ensure historical accuracy, and it offers a fresh perspective on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sisi. Sisi was a woman who had a front-row seat to history, and her story is one of resilience and strength.

 

My newest novels, A LIFE IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROWN (2022 Firebird book award winner), THE PERPETUAL TRAVELER (2022 Firebird book award winner), and EXCERPTS FROM THE IMPERIAL DIARY (2023 Firebird book award winner) pick up where THE COUNTRY GIRL EMPRESS left off. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eight book in the series,  AT THE CASTLE OF DREAMSLOVE, POWER, AND THE EMPEROR WATLZTHE EMPRESS'S DIADEMTHE IMPERIAL REBEL, and ALL THAT REMAINS... were just recently published. Sisi is one of history’s most fascinating women, and the beloved Empress deserves to have her story continue. 

 

As I share my stories with you, I sincerely hope you find as much joy in reading them as I have in writing them. Your enjoyment is what makes this journey worthwhile.


Or if you prefer it a bit more formal:

 

A. Piper Burgi is the award-winning author of several non-fiction books and recently added twelve historical fiction novels to her ever-expanding collection of published writings. The first four novels of THE COUNTRY GIRL EMPRESS series were Firebird Book Award winners {Categories: Historical Fiction and Biographical Fiction}, and Readers' Favorite Book Reviews named her women's fiction novel IN THE SHADOW OF HER MAJESTY "...a rollicking good read, full of humor, intrigue, tension and darkness behind the velvet and lace elegance of early Elizabethan England." 

 

A lifelong student and history lover, Mrs. Burgi was always and still is fascinated with historical events. She grew up with stories about the most beautiful and fascinating Empress Elisabeth of Austria and remembers all too well the first time she heard of the English King Henry VIII and his six wives in high school. In 2011, she was hooked once again after she picked up a few books about the iconic Henry and his many wives on a whim. This simple step reignited her love of history; she has not stopped learning ever since. 

 

In addition to her seventeen current books, Piper has over 900 articles and blog posts published online and in the German Women’s Magazine Mach Mal Pause, which roughly translates to Take a Break. As an animal rights advocate, she fosters dogs and puppies and supports various animal rescue organizations. Her great affinity for animals and nature led her to write and publish the canine health book LIVING WITH CANINE EPILEPSY in November 2015 to help raise canine epilepsy awareness - a cause near and dear to her heart. When she is not busy chasing after her dogs or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee, she can be found typing away on her computer.  

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