Like many others, we were deeply saddened to learn of the death of the broadcaster and writer George Alagiah on 24 July. His novel The Burning Land (Canongate), a political thriller set in modern-day South Africa, was shortlisted for the our Best First Novel Award in 2020.
Since the award had to take place online during that pandemic year, you can hear him reading an extract from the book on the Authors’ Club YouTube channel.