Submissions for the East Anglian Book Awards 2023, which celebrate the outstanding literary culture of our region, are now open.

Now in their sixteenth year, the awards are a longstanding partnership between National Centre for Writing, Jarrold and the Eastern Daily Press, supported by the University of East Anglia Faculty of Arts and Humanities.

Since the awards began, they have highlighted the work of more than 150 authors, 200 titles and 100 publishers.

The shortlisted books will be announced in autumn 2023, with the winning titles celebrated in spring 2024.

Holly Ainley, Head of Programmes & Creative Engagement at National Centre for Writing, said:

‘These awards have always celebrated and championed exceptional writing and we couldn’t be prouder that year on year they bring to the fore the astounding wealth of publications both about and emerging from East Anglia.

‘The range of titles that have won the coveted Book of the Year award in past years demonstrate the quality and breadth of literary talent that the region attracts and inspires; I’ve no doubt the same will be true of this year’s entries.

‘We’ll also be celebrating our annual Exceptional Contribution Award once again, which shines a light on the importance of those who work behind the scenes within our literary ecology – from organisations to individuals who contribute to making East Anglia the destination for poets, novelists and writers of all genres.’

The awards feature six categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-Fiction, History and Tradition, Biography and Memoir and The Mal Peet Children’s Award.

The prize for the overall Book of the Year is £1,000.

For the purposes of the awards, East Anglia is defined as Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and the area of Fenland District Council.

Works must have been published for the first time between 6 August 2022 and 5 August 2023, and must have been commercially available in physical bookshops.

They must also be set largely in this area or be written by an author living in the region to qualify.

To enter, books must be submitted digitally in PDF, EPUB and MOBI format.

The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Friday 25 August 2023. 

Find out how to apply →