Blog: Shortlist for the 2012 Costa Book Awards

Costa has announced the 2012 Costa Book Award shortlists. The Costa Book Awards recognise the most enjoyable books published in the last year by writers based in the UK and Ireland. The five categories received 550 entries, and the shortlists where chosen by five panels of three judges each.

Each winner, announced 2 January 2013, will receive £5,000. The overall winner, announced 29 January 2012, will receive £30,000.

Novel Award:

Judges: Sam Baker, Novelist and Editor-in-Chief, Red Magazine; Toby Clements, Book Reviewer and Author; Wendy Holden, Author.

First Novel Award:

Judges: Janet Ellis, Actress and Broadcaster; Alison Flood, Books Journalist; Mark Watson, Author and Comedian

Biography Award:

Judges: Valerie Grove, Journalist and Biographer; Ron Johns, Managing Director, Mabecron Books; DJ Taylor, Novelist and Biographer

Poetry Award:

Judges: Ted Hodgkinson, Online Editor, Granta; Daljit Nagra, Poet; Susan Sinclair, Divisional Manager, Foyles

Children's Book Award:

Judges: Sarah Clarke, Range Manager, Waterstones; Marcus Sedgwick, Writer; Matt Whyman, Author

Source: CostaBookAwards.com