The East Anglian Book Awards 2025
The East Anglian Book Awards celebrate the literary talent and rich cultural heritage of East Anglia, a region known for its picturesque landscapes and historic towns. This annual event, supported by the Eastern Daily Press, Jarrolds, and the National Centre for Writing, in association with the University of East Anglia, recognizes outstanding authors, illustrators, and literary works that either originate from or are closely connected to East Anglia.
The awards, now in their seventh year, celebrate a diverse range of literary genres, with categories including Fiction, Non-Fiction, Biography/Memoir, Poetry, History and Tradition, and Children's Books. A distinguished panel of judges, often featuring experts and notable figures from the publishing world, meticulously evaluates each entry to select the winners in every category.
These awards shine a spotlight on the region's literary excellence, fostering a vibrant community of writers and readers. By celebrating East Anglia's cultural heritage, the East Anglian Book Awards inspire a deeper appreciation of the area's history, landscapes, and traditions, enriching the local literary landscape and beyond.
The announcement of the East Anglian Book Awards shortlist is an exciting milestone, highlighting the exceptional work of talented authors. These shortlisted works stand as a testament to the richness of the region's literary culture. Explore the shortlist and winners for each category below.
If you're feeling inspired, expoore our local book offerings here: Local Books
Biography & Memoir
Judged by Anamika Bhattacharjee, author and PhD student at University of East Anglia
· Sir James Neville: War and Peace: A Norfolk Soldier Abroad and At Home by Sara Barton-Wood (Poppyland)
· Drawn to Print: HJ Jackson by Alan Marshall (Mascot Media) - WINNER
· Shop on Wheels by M.Janet Becker, edited by Alan Mackley (Blythburgh Books)
Fiction
Judged by Katherine Howe, award-winning historian and novelist
· This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things by Naomi Wood (Orion)
· Weirdo by Sara Pascoe (Faber)
· Enlightenment by Sarah Perry (Penguin) - WINNER
General Non-Fiction
Judged by Yin Lim, non-fiction writer and co-editor of Hinterland
· Sugar Beet Moon by Tor Falcon - WINNER
· The Vast Extent by Lavinia Greenlaw (Faber)
· How to be a Bad Botanist by Simon Barnes (Simon & Schuster)
History & Tradition
Judged by Pete Goodrum, bestselling writer and broadcaster
· Different Drums: One Family, Two Wars by Victoria Manthorpe (Poppyland)
· Chain Reactions: A Hopeful History of Uranium by Lucy Jane Santos (Icon Books)
· Logo Rewind by Darren Leader (UEA Publishing) - WINNER
The Mal Peet Children’s Award
Judged by Annie Rhodes, manager at Norfolk Children’s Book Centre
· Looking for Lucie by Amanda Addison (Neem Tree Press)
· Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence (Penguin) - WINNER
· One-Button and the Sea by Sara Stanley (Scallywag Press)
Poetry
Judged by Jessica Streeting, poet and novelist
· The Snow Globe by Jenny Pagdin (Nine Arches Press) - WINNER
· Strange Shape by Cat Woodward (Story Machine)
· Knee to Knee by Rachel Goodman & Elvire Roberts (Dialect)