Prizes

As the Guardian's fiction editor, I've been writing about the Booker prize for years. Now, as a judge, I've seen behind the curtain

You only have to look at the extent of the global reach of the winner the day after to see what a big deal the prize has become internationally. Coverage from right round the world, all the big American media outlets, but also from across the Continent, the Far East, the southern hemisphere, the Middle East.

When I first saw the news that Caffè Nero is establishing a new set of writing prizes, I was thrilled. Since the Costa book awards came to an untimely end last year, it's been obvious there is a gap that needs filling, a mechanism to celebrate titles which have the potential to reach a bigger than expected audience.  Read more

For once, the rumours have proved true. Annie Ernaux, the 82-year-old French writer, who for the last couple of years has been touted as a favourite, has been announced as the winner of the 2022 Nobel prize for literature - only the 17th woman out 119 laureates in the award's history.

Leading industry figures have said literary prizes are under threat from a lack of sponsorship following a spate of recent cancellations and concerns over funding.  Read more