How to enter
Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK, the Republic of Ireland or the Channel Islands and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction.
Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK, the Republic of Ireland or the Channel Islands and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction.
Curtis Brown Creative are delighted to be partnering with the Women’s Prize Trust, The Curtis Brown Group and Audible to run this writing development programme for unpublished women writers currently residing in the UK or Ireland. Discoveries, now in its seventh year, accepts novels in any genre of adult fiction, with entrants invited to submit the first 10,000 words of their novel and a synopsis.
Enter by 11 Jan 2027Meet this year's expert panel of judges, chaired by Kate Mosse CBE FRSL, the international bestselling writer and Founder Director of the Women’s Prizes. Mosse is joined by bestselling authors Oyinkan Braithwaite and Ela Lee; Curtis Brown literary agent Ciara Finan; and Founder and Managing Director of Curtis Brown Creative Anna Davis.
Discoveries seeks to inspire and support women writers from their early pages to long-term careers. Discoveries 2027 doesn’t require writers to have finished a novel – only to have started one – and it is free to enter. We're looking for writing that shows real potential, not necessarily polished drafts. We would also like to encourage applications from writers who have previously submitted to Discoveries and have continued working on their stories.
Discoveries 2027 will accept novels in any genre of adult fiction and entrants will be required to submit only the first 10,000 words of their novel with a synopsis of up to 1,000 words (but if you can, keep it shorter than that – 500 words is plenty).
If you have any questions about eligibility, how to submit or the prizes on offer, please read our FAQs.
The winner will be offered literary representation by The Curtis Brown Group and a £5,000 bursary from the Women's Prize Trust.
One promising writer, named the ‘Discoveries Scholar’, will also win a free scholarship to attend a three-month Writing Your Novel course with Curtis Brown Creative (worth £2,000).
All six shortlisted authors will be offered a mentoring session with a Curtis Brown agent, plus a free place on a six-week online writing course with Curtis Brown Creative (worth £230).
The shortlisted writers will also take part in a studio session focused on writing and recording for audio with Audible.
All 16 longlisted authors will receive a bespoke, two-week online Discoveries Writing Development Course designed by Curtis Brown Creative and taught by bestselling author Laura Barnett. This course focuses on the novels-in-progress of the longlisted writers, using live teaching on Zoom, writing exercises and group discussion on Curtis Brown Creative’s online learning platform – plus a one-to-one tutorial will Laura. Taking place from Monday 27 June to Friday 8 July 2027, the course will culminate in a teaching session with Curtis Brown literary agents.
All 16 writers will also receive an annual Audible subscription.
Throughout the 2027 programme, the Women’s Prize Trust, Curtis Brown literary agency and Curtis Brown Creative writing school will provide practical advice, motivation and industry insight to the growing Discoveries writing community through a library of online resources and free writing panels and workshops.
Hear reflections and insights from Discoveries writers India-Rose Bower, Rukky Brume, Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin and Beena Nadeem in this online event chaired by Women’s Prize shortlisted author and 2026 Discoveries judge, Nussaibah Younis. You can register for free. Event takes place on 22 September, 7-8pm.
Catch up on the latest Discoveries advice from the Curtis Brown Creative blog, including tips on getting your novel ready to submit to the prize and interviews with past winners and judges.
Visit the Women's Prize website for a helpful library of resources to help you develop your craft, build your confidence and learn about the business of writing.
The winner of the prize is Ruixi Zhang, with her witty and gripping literary thriller Confessions of an Alien. Additionally, Mirha Butt has been named this year’s Discoveries Scholar, winning a place on CBC’s flagship three-month Writing Your Novel course.
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