The Whitbread Book Awards

The Whitbread Book Awards, now known as the Costa Book Awards, are a prestigious UK literary prize recognizing outstanding books by British or Irish authors. Established in 1971, they honor works across five categories: Fiction, First Novel, Poetry, Children’s Book, and Biography. The awards aim to celebrate excellence in writing and promote different genres of literature, often highlighting works that appeal to a broad audience. Winners receive recognition that can boost their careers and increase public interest in their work, making these awards a respected mark of achievement in the literary community.