The Saltire Society, leading independent promoter of Scottish learning and culture, has just announced the results of its 2014 Saltire Literary Awards, “widely regarded as Scotland’s most prestigious book awards,” and the Scottish Book of the Year Award in various categories. The Award categories comprise the Scottish Literary Book of the Year, Scottish First Book of the Year, Scottish Poetry Book of the Year (in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library), Scottish History Book of the Year (in partnership with the Scottish Historical Review Trust), and Scottish Research Book of the Year (in partnership with the National Library of Scotland) – as well as the overall Book of the Year Award. Each receives a prize of £2,000 ($3120), with the overall winner receiving £10,000 ($15,600).

Book of the Year Award winner was the historical work The Scottish Town in the Age of Enlightenment 1740-1820, co-authored by history professors Bob Harris and the late Charles McKean. First Book of Year was Moontide by poet Niall Campbell, also winner of this year’s Edwin Morgan Poetry Award. History Book of the Year was Scottish Gods, Religion in the Modern Scotland 1900-2012 by Steve Bruce. Literary Book of the Year was How to be both by Ali Smith, also winner of the 2014 Goldsmiths Prize. Poetry Book of the Year was Bones and Breath by Alexander Hutchison. Local publisher Sandstone Press also received the Publisher of the Year Award.

Saltire Society executive director Jim Tough said: “The Saltire Literary Awards have a proud history of celebrating and bringing wider attention to excellence in all literary forms. This year exemplifies that commitment.”

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