East Anglian Book Awards 2023

Last Thursday I attended the 2023 East Anglian Book Wards hosted by the National Writing Centre at the Dragon Hall on King Street. It was sponsored by Jarrolds, the Eastern Daily Press and UEA.

What a pleasant evening it was. There was a full house and we were treated to chats with the nominated writers from each category in two sets of three. Holly Ainley, Head of Programmes & Creative Engagement, skilfully orchestrated the lively and often humorous conversation. Categories covered Poetry, Fiction, Memoir, Local History, History and Landscape..

The winning entry The Meaning of Geese was written by naturalist and conservationist Nick Acheson during the 2020 lock down. Taking his mother’s bike from the shed he spent the winter traversing North Norfolk following wild flocks of geese and talking to all the people whose lives interacted with them. I bought a copy at once and look forward to reading it.

It was good to see Michael Nix’s book on Norwich Textiles: A Global Story 1750-1840 nominated best in category. Highly detailed and beautifully illustrated, it looks to be a source book for historians for years to come.
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Caroline Jarrold gave out the awards. .