Welcome - Costa Book Awards | Behind the beans

Celebrating great books since 1971

Costa Book Awards logo Recognised as one of the UK's most prestigious and popular book prizes, we've honoured some of the most enjoyable books of the year and championed authors based in the UK and Ireland for nearly 50 years.

Held annually, the awards welcome a wide range of books to be considered in five categories; First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book. From the winners in each of these five categories, one is selected as overall Costa Book of the Year.

In 2012, we launched the Costa Short Story Award for published and unpublished authors, inviting passionate writers to submit their stories via this website. The top three are voted for by the public, with the results being announced at the awards ceremony.

Check below for the most recent news and announcements from the Costa Book Awards, including shortlists, winners, entry and voting opportunities - and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all the very latest news and updates from the team.

The Costa Book Awards is going virtual this year and you’re invited

Join us for the Costa Book Awards ceremony on Tuesday 26th January 2021 from 7pm and be the first to find out the winner of the 2020 Costa Book of the Year!

Watch here

Our Costa Short Story Award authors are here

We’re proud to reveal the identities of the three writers shortlisted for this year’s Costa Short Story Award.

Find out more

Our Category Winners have been revealed!

Congratulations to the winners of the five categories of this year's Costa Book Awards. One of these five books will be named Costa Book of the Year on Tuesday 26th January.