Bradt’s Slow Norfolk & Suffolk, by Laurence Mitchell has been shortlisted for the 2010 EDP (Eastern Daily Press)-Jarrold East Anglian Book Awards.

Supported by Writers’ Centre Norwich and CUE East, the third annual East Anglian Book Awards celebrates great new literature with a Norfolk, Suffolk or Fenland theme.  Books must be set in or predominantly about East Anglia, and the category judges have been hard at work over the summer reading the many submissions.  The awards have become established as part of the region’s literary scene, playing an increasingly prominent role in giving the authors and publishers of books with a local theme the recognition that they deserve.

From the dozens of entries three hopefuls have been shortlisted for each of the seven categories.  Slow Norfolk & Suffolk features in the Guidebooks and Travel category to be finally judged by Nicholas Caistor, UEA lecturer, radio and print journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4′s Crossing Continents.  The winners will be announced at an evening ceremony on October 20 at the Assembly House in Norwich.

This year Louis de Bernieres, who lives at Harleston, near Diss, will be the star guest, giving a talk and handing over the prizes to the winners in seven categories.  From the seven category winners, one will be named the overall East Anglian Book of the Year, which brings with it a £250 prize.

Tickets for the event are now on sale at £12.50 each, which includes a glass of wine on arrival and a hot buffet meal.  All the shortlisted books will be on sale at a discounted price on the evening.  Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start to the awards ceremony on October 20, which will be presented by BBC Look East’s Carol Bundock. To buy tickets call in at the EDP shop at Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, go to www.edp24.co.uk or visit customer services at Jarrold on London Street, Norwich.