Two Trinidadian authors have claimed victory at the Costa Book Awards. The award is recognised as one of the UK's most prestigious and popular book prizes.
Writer Ingrid Persaud won the Costa First Novel Award for her entry, "Love after Love". Judges described her work as "teeming with life" and "full of unforgettable characters."
Persaud had previously won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2017 and the BBC National Short Story Award in 2018.
Meanwhile, Monique Roffey took home top honours for her book entitled, "The Mermaid of a Black Conch; A Love Story." The novel captures how a fisherman's singing attracts a centuries-old mermaid. According to judges, the novel was “a story of rare imagination” and “a glorious myth.”
More than 700 books were submitted for this year’s Costa awards, which recognise the most enjoyable books in five categories.
One overall winner will be chosen later this month as the Costa book of the year, winning £30,000.