Mystic -- Mystic Seaport has announced that it will honor best-selling author Nathaniel Philbrick with its 2015 America and the Sea Award at its black-tie gala Wednesday night in New York City.

The annual award “recognizes an individual or organization whose contribution to the history, arts, business, or sciences of the sea best exemplify the American character.”

Philbrick, who lives on Nantucket, wrote “In the Heart of the Sea,” which won the National Book Award for nonfiction and has now been made into a movie directed by Ron Howard slated to be released in December.

His other award-winning books include “Sea of Glory,” “Mayflower” and "Bunker Hill: A City, a Siege, a Revolution." All were best-sellers, and the latter has now been optioned by Warner Brothers for a movie to be directed by Ben Affleck.

“Like those recipients before him, Nat Philbrick’s work helps to elevate one’s understanding of the sea. With every work he publishes, his words speak to American history and they instruct us on our heritage in a very personal and approachable manner,” said Seaport President Steve White.