AustLit
Whitbread Book Awards (1971-2005)
Subcategory of Awards — International Awards
History
The Whitbread was founded in 1971: authors must have been resident in the United Kingdom or Ireland for over six months of each of the previous three years (although UK or Irish nationality is not essential). Books must have been first published in the UK or Ireland between 1 November of the previous year and 31 October of the current year. Books previously published elsewhere are not eligible.
It has five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book. For each category there are three judges - generally an author, a bookseller and a journalist. They select a shortlist of four books, which includes the winner. Their criteria is to select well-written, enjoyable books that they would strongly recommend anyone to read. Books must be submitted directly by publishers, not by authors.
After 2006, Costa Coffee, a subsidiary of Whitbread, took over sponsorship of the award, which was renamed the Costa Book Awards.
In 2022, Costa announced that the award would cease after 51 years: the 50th, and final, award was announced in 2021. No reason was initially given for the cessation.
Sources: Whitbread Awards website (http://www.whitbread-bookawards.co.uk/index.htm); Costa Book Awards website (http://www.costabookawards.com/), Books + Publishing (https://www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/2022/06/14/215618/costa-announces-end-to-costa-book-awards/).
Notes
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'The Whitbread has five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book. For each category there are three judges - generally an author, a bookseller and a journalist. They select a shortlist of four books, which includes the winner. Their criteria is to select well-written, enjoyable books that they would strongly recommend anyone to read. Books must be submitted directly by publishers, not by authors.
Authors of submitted books must have been resident in the United Kingdom or Ireland for over six months of each of the previous three years (although UK or Irish nationality is not essential). Books must have been first published in the UK or Ireland between 1 November of the previous year and 31 October of the current year. Books previously published elsewhere are not eligible.'
(Source: Whitbread Awards website, http://www.whitbread-bookawards.co.uk/index.htm)
Latest Winners / Recipients
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Year: 2003
winner (Whitbread First Novel Award) y
Vernon God Little
London
:
Faber
,
2003
Z1067461
2003
single work
novel
humour
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Year: 2000
winner (Novel) y
English Passengers
New York (City)
:
Talese
,
2000
Z375635
2000
single work
novel
historical fiction
It is 1857, and Reverend Geoffrey Wilson has departed England to prove the literal truth of the bible. The expedition heads towards Tasmania, where he is convinced he will find the real Garden of Eden. But the other passengers have their own agendas. As the English passengers near Peevay's land, their bizarre notions become painfully at odds with reality. (Source: Trove)
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Year: 1988
winner (Whitbread Poetry Award) y
The Automatic Oracle
Oxford
:
Oxford University Press
,
1987
Z392597
1987
selected work
poetry
Works About this Award
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James Misses Out on Award 2010 single work column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 6 January 2010; (p. 4) The 2009 Costa Poetry Award has been won by British writer Christopher Reid for his book A Scattering. -
Glittering Prizes? 1990 single work column
— Appears in: Magpies : Talking About Books for Children , September vol. 5 no. 4 1990; (p. 10-12) -
Peter's Pence 1989 single work criticism biography
— Appears in: The Australian Magazine , 21-22 January 1989; (p. 5) -
Shelf Life [The Age (Saturday Extra), 11 February 1989] 1989 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Age , 11 February 1989; -
Literary London : 19-20 November 1988 single work criticism
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 19-20 November 1988; (p. 8)
