More than a century after women fought for greater economic and political freedom, author Vicky Oliver is taking readers back to 1908 Manhattan to explore the struggles, ambitions and complicated choices facing women during the Gilded Age.
Oliver’s upcoming historical novel, Firebrands, scheduled for release October 15, 2026, transports readers to a sharply divided Manhattan where working-class families struggle to survive while wealthy residents live in lavish homes along Millionaire’s Row.
Set against this backdrop of extreme wealth inequality, the novel follows two sisters who share a close bond but have very different visions for their futures. Spirited activist Helena James is determined to challenge the limitations placed on women and encourage them to fight for greater independence.
As Helena takes on dangerous missions in support of her activism, she finds herself navigating encounters with police, romance, family expectations and the personal risks that come with challenging the status quo.
Firebrands combines historical drama, suspense, romance and humor while examining the labor and women’s rights movements of the early 20th century. Oliver uses the world of 1908 Manhattan to explore questions about economic inequality, workplace rights, gender and personal freedom that continue to resonate with contemporary readers.
The novel arrives at a time when conversations about women’s rights, workplace equity and economic opportunity remain prominent. Through historical fiction, Oliver offers readers a way to consider how social and economic pressures shaped women’s lives more than 100 years ago.
Oliver is an award-winning author and novelist whose work spans both fiction and career-focused nonfiction. She graduated from Brown University with a double major in English Honors and Political Science before earning an MFA in Fiction from The New School in 2022.
She is the author of six career books, including 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions, which has sold 100,000 copies. Her career advice has appeared in more than 901 media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post and Esquire.
Firebrands has already received recognition on the literary circuit, becoming a finalist for the Killer Nashville Claymore Award for Best Historical Fiction and the Writers’ League of Texas Award for Historical Fiction. The novel also received five stars and a “Very Highly Recommended” review from Readers’ Favorite.
Beyond writing, Oliver serves as a nonfiction and art editor at LIT magazine, the journal of The New School’s MFA program. She also co-hosts the weekly Resilient Women podcast, which features stories of women overcoming significant obstacles.
Published by Histria Books and distributed by Simon & Schuster, Firebrands will be available in paperback and Kindle editions beginning October 15. The novel is currently available for preorder.
With its mix of sisterhood, activism, romance and social upheaval, Firebrands offers a window into a pivotal moment in New York history while exploring questions that remain part of the modern conversation.