Break out the Champagne: The Exploress and the Pillars of Eternity Wins the 2026 Firebird Book Award

I’m incredibly honored and excited to share some wonderful news—The Exploress and the Pillars of Eternity has been named a 2026 Firebird Book Award winner in the Women’s Fiction category 🏆

Moments like this are difficult to put into words. As writers, we spend so much of our time in quiet spaces—researching, imagining, writing, rewriting—never quite knowing how a story will be received once it leaves our hands. To see this novel recognized in such a meaningful way is both humbling and deeply rewarding.

This particular story holds a very special place in my heart. The Exploress and the Pillars of Eternity was born out of my fascination with history and my desire to bring forward the voices of women who so often remain in the background of great discoveries and historic achievements. Too frequently, their contributions are overshadowed or forgotten altogether.

With this novel, I wanted to shine a light on that narrative and give it the space it deserves.

At its core, this book is about courage, resilience, and the pursuit of something greater—about stepping beyond the boundaries that society or circumstance might impose. It is about claiming one’s place in a story that was never meant to include you, and writing yourself into it anyway.

Receiving the Firebird Book Award in Women’s Fiction feels especially meaningful because it recognizes not just the story itself, but the spirit behind it—the focus on strong, complex female characters and the journeys they undertake. It reinforces my belief that these stories matter and that there is a place for them in today’s literary landscape.

I am deeply grateful to the Firebird Book Awards for this honor, and to the readers who continue to support my work. Whether you’ve been with me since my earlier novels or have just recently discovered my writing, your encouragement, kind words, and enthusiasm make all the difference. Writing may begin as a solitary act, but it becomes something much greater when shared.

If you haven’t yet discovered The Exploress and the Pillars of Eternity, I warmly invite you to step into this world—one filled with history, mystery, and adventure, where the past is never quite as distant as it seems.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. There is still so much more to come 💜

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads