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Background
The Travel Book Award originated as an initiative of The Thomas
Cook Group in 1980, with the aim of encouraging and rewarding
the art of literary travel writing.
From 1980 - 1994, there was also a Guide Book category and
from 1988 to 1992, there was an additional Illustrated Guide
category. These then ceased because, in the view of the Head
of Publishing at Thomas Cook and the then Chairman of the
Judges, Sir John Ure, it was increasingly difficult to judge
guide books with radically different development and production
budgets and without actually using the books in situ.
Prizes
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The winner of the Travel Book Award receives
a cheque for £10,000.
The winner and shortlisted authors are presented with
a reproduction picture from the Thomas Cook company archives. |
Criteria
Books submitted for the Travel Book Award must fulfil the
following criteria:
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Travel narrative books only (that is, not
guidebooks).
Books must be published in English, or translated into
English.
Minimum length of 150 pages.
Published between 01 January and 31 December of the previous
year.
Books may only be submitted by publishers.
Books may only be entered once. |
Judges
A panel of judges is selected from professionals in publishing
or broadcast media and/or travel trade.
The Shortlisted Titles
A shortlist of six titles is agreed by the judging panel
during the early summer, and are promoted to bookshops and
libraries.
The Award Ceremony
The award is presented by a personality connected with either
travel or travel writing, at a lunch-time ceremony in London
during the autumn. The announcement of the winning title is
made public at the award ceremony.
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