This marks the first time that Costa has entered the sponsorship market; and both Costa and the Book Awards are this year celebrating their 35th anniversary.

Created in 1971, the Whitbread Book Awards were established to celebrate the most enjoyable books of the year by writers based in the UK or Ireland, and have successfully developed into one of the foremost and most prestigious literary awards in the UK.

The Costa Book Awards will take place in late January 2007 at a central London location. Costa will continue with the same format as in previous years with five categories: First Novel, Novel, Biography, Children’s Book and Poetry.

The 15 category judges - three judges per category - have been appointed and include author and broadcaster, Kate Adie and author, Sophie Kinsella. Entry forms have this month been distributed via the Booksellers Association who will continue to undertake the administration of the Costa Book Awards with the book trade. Closing date for publishers to submit entries is Wednesday 28th June 2006.