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Writer's pictureThe Publishing Post

British Book Awards 2023 Winners Announced

By Georgia Appleyard and Olivia Ek


The British Book Awards, or the Nibbies as they are more commonly known across the book world, have been the book trade's leading awards since 1990. This year’s winners span a wide range of genres and topics, in a vibrant display of “the remarkable virtuosity of the book business," said Chair of the British Book Awards judges and The Bookseller’s Editor, Philip Jones.


Author of the Year


At a buzzing ceremony on Monday 15 May 2023 at Grosvenor House London, debut author Bonnie Garmus took home the prestigious Author of the Year award for her multi-million copy bestseller, Lessons in Chemistry. Nominated for five awards, the internationally bestselling novelist wrote her debut novel at sixty-four years old.


Overall Book of the Year


Judged by a panel including Channel 4 News lead anchor, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Davina McCall and Dr Naomi Potter’s Menopausing was announced as the Overall Book of the Year after winning its category, Non-Fiction Lifestyle & Illustrated Book of the Year. Krishnan Guru-Murthy said, “this book helped get a nationwide conversation going about menopause and captured the zeitgeist.” Menopausing continues to rank highly in the bestseller charts more than six months after its publication.


Fiction Book of the Year, supported by Good Housekeeping


The Sunday Times bestseller Babel by R. F. Kuang (HarperVoyager) was recognised for reaching out to every different permutation of reader and is chosen from a competitive shortlist including the much-anticipated Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart (Picador).


Debut Book of the Year


Heralded for its beautiful writing, Louise Kennedy’s debut, Trespasses (Bloomsbury Publishing), beat stiff competition from Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (Transworld) and Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola (Headline Review).


Illustrator of the Year


Alison Oseman, creator and illustrator of the Heartstopper series, was praised for building a community of devoted fans and celebrating diverse voices for a younger audience. She was named Illustrator of the Year for 2023 following shortlisting for Heartstopper in 2020, 2022, and 2023.


Non-fiction Narrative Book of the Year, supported by The Big Issue


Katherine Rundell took home the Non-fiction Narrative Book of the Year award for Super-Infinite (Faber), a riveting and engaging biography of John Donne.


Crime & Thriller Book of the Year, supported by Magic Radio Book Club


The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett (Viper) was praised for its high concept and for standing out in the cosy crime genre.


Discover Book of the Year, supported by Scala Radio Book Club


The Discover award returns for a second year and was awarded to I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel, which was recognised for the innovation and collaboration of independent publisher and author.


Pageturner of the Year, supported by TikTok


This year’s Pageturner award celebrates Colleen Hoover’s Verity (Sphere Books), a TikTok sensation with the unputdownable quality that makes it a true pageturner, according to the judges.


Children’s Fiction and Non-fiction Book of the Year, supported by The Week Junior


The innovative and visually impactful Tyger by SF Said, illustrated by Dave McKean, took home Children's Fiction Book of the Year from a strong shortlist including authors Jeff Kinney and Louie Stowell.


TV personality and activist Dr Alex George triumphed as Children’s Non-Fiction Book of the Year with A Better Day (Wren & Rook), illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond, for its superb publishing and genuine warmth behind the campaign.


Children’s Illustrated Book of the Year, supported by Love Reading 4 Kids


This year’s Children’s Illustrated Award goes to author and illustrator Harry Woodgate for Grandad’s Camper (Andersen Press) in recognition of the book's nuanced communication of an important message and its celebration of diverse voices.


Audiobook: Fiction Book of the Year, supported by Times Radio


Douglas Stuart’s Young Mungo (Picador), narrated by Chris Reilly, was praised for elevating the physical book, particularly with the authentic use of dialect.


Audiobook: Non-fiction Book of the Year, supported by Audiobookish


Beloved actor Richard E. Grant won for his memoir A Pocketful of Happiness (Gallery UK, Simon & Schuster), which was hailed for its polite vulnerability, emotional narrative, and clever production choices.


Book Trade Industry Awards were as follows:


Small Press of the Year – Boldwood Books  

Independent Bookshop of the Year – Griffin Books

Independent Publisher of the Year – Oneworld

Children’s Bookseller of the Year – Waterstones and Round Table Books

Academic, Educational and Professional Publisher of the Year – Edinburgh University Press

British Book Award for Export – HarperCollins

Rights Professional of the Year – Richard King

Individual Bookseller – Carolynn Bain

Editor of the Year – Natasha Bardon

Marketing Strategy of the Year – Lilly Cox & Vicky Palmer, Lessons in Chemistry

Children's Publisher of the Year – Simon & Schuster

Designer of the Year – Suzanne Dean, Vintage

Imprint of the Year – HarperVoyager

Publicity Campaign of the Year – Alison Barrow, Lessons in Chemistry

Literary Agent of the Year – Claire Wilson

Book Retailer of the Year – WHS Travel

Publisher of the Year – Simon & Schuster


Regarded as "the BAFTAs of the book trade," the British Book Awards is judged by leading industry experts and supported by all the major industry associations. It is presented by The Bookseller, the UK’s longest running book industry magazine. The awards recognise the “intimate connection between the books, their makers and their audience.”


To learn more, visit the British Book Awards website, or join the conversation on Twitter.

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