Costa Book Awards 2011...

The shortlist for the 2011 Costa Book Award has been announced. The selection of 19 writers includes octogenarian Roy Fisher, nominated for his collection of poetry 'Standard Midland', and playwright Michael Frayn, nominated for a biography of his father. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's winner Christopher Reid, the writers must first win their individual categories: poetry, biography, best novel, best first novel, or best children's book. Those results will be announced on January 5th, and the winners will compete for the top prize three weeks later.

A Beautiful Reid...

In a surprising turn of events, Christopher Reid has tonight been announced as the winner of the 2009 Costa Book of the Year. Going into the London ceremony, no one was able to see beyond Colm Toibin for the award, whose novel 'Brooklyn' had beaten of Man Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel in the best novel category. Yet in a shock decision, it was Reid's poetry collection, 'The Scattering' that scooped the acolade, only the sixth poet to win following successes by the like of Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes. The collection, described by the judges as 'austere and beautiful and moving', was written as a tribute to Reid's late wife, Reid himself saying; 'I wanted to tell her somehow through these poems why I would be missing her when she left'. Reid thanked the judges for their 'generosity and kindness', saying he was 'obviously delighted' at picking up the £30,000 award.

Colm, Cappuccinos and Costa...

The shortlist for the Costa Book of the Year 2009 has been announced. Made up from the winners of the award's original five categories - novel, first novel, poetry, biography and children's book - the candidates have each already pocketed £5,000. Included on the list is Irish writer Colm Toibin, who beat Booker prize winner Hilary Mantel to best novel, Patrick Ness, Christopher Reid, Raphael Selbourne and Graham Farmelo. Janine Cook, fiction buyer at book retailer Waterstone's, said: 'The Costa never fails to pick an eclectic bunch of winners, and this year is no exception'. The winner of the £30,000 prize is set to be announced on January 26th.

Coffee, biscuits and books...

Hilary Mantel has been shortlisted this week for the Costa Book Awards. Mantel had literary success earlier this year, winning the Man Booker Prize with her new novel, 'Wolf Hall'. An historical novel, 'Wolf Hall' is based on Thomas Cromwell, and his rise to power in the Tudor dynasty; the judges said that Mantel was awarded the prize for 'The extraordinary way that [she] has created what one of the judges has said was a contemporary novel, a modern novel, which happens to be set in the 16th century.' Up against her in the Costa awards, are novelists Penelope Lively, Colm Toibin and Christopher Nicholson. The winner of the £5,000 award will be announced on January 26th.