Founded in 2008, the East Anglian Book Awards recognise and celebrate the books and writers who have been shaped by, and have helped shape, the literary culture of our region. The annual awards are a partnership between the Eastern Daily Press, Jarrold and the National Centre for Writing, in association with the University of East Anglia.
National Centre for Writing is proud to have been a partner of the East Anglian Book Awards for over fifteen years. From our home in Norwich, England’s first UNESCO City of Literature, these awards showcase the strength of publishing, writing and reading across the whole of the East of England. We are constantly impressed by the talent that our region cultivates and inspires.
The awards are a partnership between the Eastern Daily Press, Jarrold and the National Centre for Writing, in association with the University of East Anglia. Between 2012 and 2022, the annual prize of £1,000 awarded to the winner of the ‘Book of the Year’.
Since the awards began, they have highlighted the work of more than 150 authors, 200 titles and 100 publishers.
Submissions for the East Anglian Book Awards are now closed.
Nick Acheson wins Book of the Year 2023 with his Norfolk debut
The Meaning of Geese, the debut book from renowned naturalist and conservationist Nick Acheson, has won the prize this year. The judging panel praised The Meaning of Geese for its compelling sense of place and use of language, as they were ‘transported to the countryside by the author’s beautiful turn of phrase. Just a delight.’
Sponsor the East Anglian Book Awards 2025
Headline sponsorship for East Anglian Book Awards 2025 is now open.
NCW seeks a sponsor for the £1,000 ‘Book of the Year’ prize.
Alignment with the East Anglian Book Awards is a unique opportunity to support literary talent and build relationships with regional readers, residents and businesses. Sponsors enjoy extensive promotion, hospitality and complimentary tickets across NCW’s programme.
Previous winners include Lynne Bryan (author of Iron Man, R) and Sarah Perry (The Essex Serpent & Monmouth):
“It conferred the sense of legitimacy: a group of writers admired my work, and they wanted me to write more”.
Past winners
The East Anglian Book Awards have supported more than 150 authors and 200 titles in its lifetime.
Previous winners include the celebrated writer and naturalist Mark Cocker, multi-award-winning author and nature columnist Melissa Harrison and Sarah Perry, who went on to win the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. Sarah’s novel The Essex Serpent became a Waterstones Book of the Year and was adapted for Apple TV+ starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston.
Discover the category winners for the East Anglian Book Awards 2023
The category winners for the coveted East Anglian Book Awards 2023 were revealed in January 2024. These six titles celebrate the very best of publishing, writing, and reading in the region.
In partnership with the Eastern Daily Press, Jarrold and the National Centre for Writing, in association with the University of East Anglia. Supported by PACCAR Foundation.
