Stick around to the end for a special surprise!
The nominations have been tallied and the finalists are selected.
I take the scroll to Eowyn and stand back as she looks it over.
“Some of these names do sound familiar to me. I believe Eilonwy has been nominated before.”
I nod. “Indeed she has—multiple times—and if the numbers of seconds she received is any indication of popularity she has a good chance of winning this year.”
“Well, good for her. I do hope she doesn’t get too discouraged if she doesn’t get the Silmaril.”
“She’s a strong and kind girl I’m sure she finds it an honor just to be nominated.”
“Quite right. Our heroines are not a petty lot. This name though, Ella of Enchanted, hasn’t she already won a Silmaril?”
“Oh, you mean Ella from the book Ella Enchanted. She won last year along with her husband Prince Char. They were named the most devoted couple of 2025. But no, she hasn’t won a Silmairl for most epic heroine.”
“Very good, wouldn’t that be nice for her to be honored two years in a row.” Eowyn had a thoughtful look on her face.
“My lady, It isn’t possible for every finalist to win.”
“Oh, but it is!” Eowyn waved her hads in an arch above her head. “These are lifetime awards. Once someone has won a category they can not win again, that means that every year, the previous nominees are no longer competing against someone more popular than they are. I imagine that if these awards go on long enough—every character shall have a silmaril.”
Is she right? With an infinite amount of silmarils and enough time it could eventually happen.
But then I think about all the new books written every year—most will feature heroines just as worthy as those who already compete every year. I do not wish to spoil my Lady’s dream with the reality that the human ability to create stories is just as infinite as her supply of silmarils.
Quickly I hand her the compiled scrolls about each finalist and turn to leave.
Eilonwy (Prydain Chronicles)
https://prydain.fandom.com/wiki/Princess_Eilonwy
Cimorene (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles)
https://the-enchanted-forest-chronicles.fandom.com/wiki/Cimorene
Sophie (Keeper Of The Lost Cities)
https://lost-cities-keeper.fandom.com/wiki/Sophie_Elizabeth_Foster
Ella (Ella Enchanted)
https://ellaenchanted.fandom.com/wiki/Ella_Enchanted_(Book)
Raisa (The Turrim Archive)
“Cathrine, halt! You have forgotten a scroll. I do not see a compiled dossier for Raisa of Turrim.”
“I couldn’t get much information on her my lady. Raisa is a bit of a roguish character. Runs with a pirate crew. Only instead of sailing the sea they fly on an airship. Raisa is incredibly loyal to her captain. She’s resourceful and when she sets her mind to a task you can be assured it will be done. She also likes to keep busy, dislikes being idle and is always willing to help another even at the cost of her own freedom.”
“Well then it sounds like she’d be a worthy addition to our ranks.”
“I quite agree my Lady.” I give an awkward curtsy and leave to prepare for the finalists arrival.
Help decide the winner of the 2026 Most Epic Heroine Award now!
Don’t forget to visit the rest of the award blogs to Learn about the finalists for every category before you vote. Each post will have a link to the voting form so no need to come back here first:
- Sarah Pennington—Most Devoted Couple: https://tpssarahlightshadows.wordpress.com/2026/09/14/2026-silmaril-awards-voting-most-devoted-couple/
- C.O. Bonham—Most Epic Heroine: You are here!
- Mackenzie Writes—Most Faithful Friend: https://mackenziekwrites.com/2026/09/07/the-silmaril-awards-most-faithful-friend-nominations-now-open/
- Jenelle L. Schmidt—Most Nefarious Villain: https://jenelleschmidt.com/blog/nominations-11th-silmaril-awards-nefarious-villains
- Kandi J. Wyatt—Wisest Counselor: https://kandijwyatt.com/top-5-wisest-counselors-silmaril-awards-2026/
- E.E. Rawls—Strangest Character: https://rawlse.wordpress.com/2026/09/07/the-silmaril-awards-2026-are-here-cast-your-vote-for-most-strangest-character/
- Rachel A. Greco—Most Magnificent Dragon: https://www.rachelagreco.com/2026-silmaril-award-nominations-for-most-magnificent-dragon/
- DJ Edwardson—Most Epic Hero: https://djedwardson.com/2026-silmaril-award-nominations-for-most-epic-hero/
- Sldooley—Silver Tongue: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdCGG1doSGz/
- Grace T—Most Rakish Rogue: https://bardonpilgrimage.wordpress.com/2026/09/14/2026-silmaril-awards-most-rakish-rogue-finalists-and-voting/
Here’s your reward for reading all the way to the end:
It’s Cover Reveal day for H.L. Burke’s newest superhero novel!
Check out this epic cover reveal for the third and final (?) book in H.L. Burke’s YA Superhero series: GAME, SET, MATCH!
Lose yourself in a heartfelt but twisty tale of young love with a dollop of suspense.
Art by K.M. Carroll and layout by Jennifer Hudzinski.
Links:
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HHTWD95M
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/258382067-game-set-match
BookBub:
C. O. Bonham 