Three Yorkshire writers in line for Costa Book Awards

Kate Atkinson, originally from York, is no stranger to the awards having won the overall prize in 1995.

She is on the novelist shortlist for her acclaimed book A God in Ruins.

Andrew McMillan, who comes from Barnsley, is on the list for the poetry accolade, as is Keighley-born Neil Rollinson.

The shortlists were announced last night and Christopher Rogers, managing director of Costa, praised those who made the cut.

“The quality and breadth of talent and writing in this year’s lists is staggering,” he said.

Among this year’s judges are Matt Haig, who lived in Leeds and York before moving to Brighton earlier this year, and Ilkley-based novelist Martyn Bedford. The Costa awards are open to UK-based writers and are divided into five categories: debut novel, biography, poetry, novel and children’s book. The 2014 Costa Book of the Year was H is for Hawk by writer, poet and historian, Helen Macdonald.

The winners of each category pick up £5,000 with an overall winner getting £30,000 at a ceremony in London on January 4 next year.