Last week at the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese won the Viking Fiction with a Sense of Place Award.
Such is the nature of our business, it’s no surprise that often the winning authors are travelling or not based in London so are unable to attend the event. Luckily Abraham’s globe trophy was accepted on behalf of him by his publisher, but he did send these words;
“I am thrilled to learn that The Covenant of Water won the 2024 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Award presented by Viking. The fact that I won for the category of “Fiction with a Sense of Place” is deeply meaningful, because I think of geography as destiny and with every change of geography (both in my novel and in my life) there has been a change of destiny. Geography and place are as critical as any character in my novels. Indeed, sailing and ships have featured in both my novels, so I am thrilled at Viking’s involvement. The prize itself, the handmade globe, could not be more fitting and I know I shall treasure it.”
-Abraham Verghese
The award winning author Abraham Verghese is based in the U.S.
Explorer Benedict Allen presented the Viking Fiction with a Sense of Place Award to Clare Drysdale from Atlantic Books who accepted the award on behalf of Abraham.
The Covenant of Water is out now in paperback for £10.99