Organised by the National Centre for Writing (NCW) in partnership with the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich UNESCO City of Literature, with support by UEA’s faculty of arts and humanities, the awards celebrate the rich storytelling heritage of the east of England.
Authors and publishers from across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are encouraged to submit their work.
Ellie Reeves, programme officer at the National Centre for Writing, based at Dragon Hall in Norwich, said: “Nothing quite captures the thriving literary talent of this incredible region like the East Anglian Book Awards. As we approach our 20th year, it becomes crystal clear that wild imaginations, rich histories and extraordinary stories are sunk deep into the bedrock of East Anglia and each year we have the wonderful privilege of discovering which gems will rise to the surface.”
Last year’s prestigious Book of the Year crown went to Florrie by Anna Trench, which judges praised for its “pertinent” themes and “exquisite” illustrations, celebrating its accessibility as a graphic story for both adults and young people.
The awards feature seven distinct categories, each judged by a panel of industry experts:
· Biography and Memoir
· Children’s Books
· Debut Novels
· Fiction
· General Non-Fiction
· History and Tradition
· Poetry
Category winners will go head-to-head for the overall Book of the Year title, which carries a £1,000 prize. Shortlists will be announced in October 2026, with the winners revealed in early 2027.
Public voting returns for the City of Literature Award
Following an overwhelming response last year, the public-voted City of Literature Award returns for its second year. Supported by Norwich UNESCO City of Literature, this special category recognises individuals or organisations making outstanding contributions to the region’s literary community through advocacy, innovative publishing, or community engagement.
The inaugural 2025 award was won by The Norfolk Reading Project, a charity that trains volunteers and pairs them with schools to support children’s reading on a one-to-one basis.
Ellie said: “We’re overjoyed to continue the City of Literature Award, following the overwhelming response in its inaugural year. This award is our opportunity to celebrate the people behind the books whose excellence and dedication enrich our literary lives. If last year is anything indication, we’re in for a real treat. We’d love to see everyone get involved!”
Residents of East Anglia can nominate their local literary heroes here.
Championing high street bookshops
Independent bookshops will remain a cornerstone of this year’s campaign. Marking the National Year of Reading 2026, the awards seek to encourage reading for pleasure by championing books “created in East Anglia.”
Building on the success of the 2025 awards — which saw eight regional bookshops host exclusive events with shortlisted and winning authors, including the Holt Bookshop (Norfolk), Dial Lane Books (Suffolk), The Wivenhoe Bookshop (Essex), and The Book Nook (Hertfordshire) — this year’s campaign will continue to drive footfall to the high street.
Entry requirements
To be eligible, books must:
- Be published between August 6, 2025 and August 5, 2026.
- Be commercially available in physical bookshops, with an ISBN.
- Be set predominantly in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk or Suffolk or authored by someone living in the region.
Book submissions must be delivered to East Anglian Book Awards, National Centre for Writing, Dragon Hall, 115-123 King Street, Norwich NR1 1QE.
The deadline for entries is 12 noon on Thursday July 30 2026.
For full details and terms and conditions visit the National Centre for Writing website nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/get-involved/writers/eaba/enter/
Since its inception, the East Anglian Book Awards have honoured more than 160 authors, 200 titles and 100 publishers. Past winners include Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, The Meaning of Geese by Nick Acheson, Iron Man by Lynne Bryan, The House of One Hundred Clocks by A.M. Howell, and After Me Comes The Flood by Sarah Perry.
Norfolk magazine editor Emma Lee, who has been involved with the awards for a number of years, said: “Being part of the East Anglian Book Awards is a real privilege and each year brings fresh voices and perspectives. It’s a chance to celebrate the depth of talent we have across the region and to champion the stories that shape our sense of place.”
