Ciara Finan: 'I want to read about worlds and settings I haven’t seen before'
BY Discoveries
21st Oct 2025
CBC and Curtis Brown are proud to be partnering with the Women’s Prize Trust and Audible to run Discoveries for a sixth year. This unique writing development prize and programme offers practical support and encouragement to aspiring female novelists of all ages and backgrounds, from across the UK and Ireland. The prize accepts novels in any genre of adult fiction, with entrants invited to submit the first 10,000 words of their novel and a synopsis.
We spoke to Curtis Brown literary agent Ciara Finan about her taste in books, the agent's role and what she’ll be looking for as a judge for Discoveries 2026.
What’s your favourite part of being a literary agent?
There are so many elements of the job I enjoy, but I think my favourite part is the very start of the process, when I find a great novel in my submissions. Editorial work is one of my favourite aspects of the job, and I love getting to shape a novel alongside the author. Of course, closing deals and getting to tell an author they will be published is a very close second!
Do you remember the book that ignited your love of reading?
I think either the Narnia books and the incredible world of C. S. Lewis ignited my love of fantasy, or perhaps A Serious of Unfortunate Events – Violet Baudelaire remains one of my favourite heroines!
You’re a real champion of SFF writing, what do you think makes a standout magic system or fantasy world?
To me, a world or magic system needs to feel fresh and creative. As a genre, SFF has really boomed over the last few years, and we're now at a point where things can start to feel familiar or repetitive. That’s why I think authors who take the time to fully flesh out their world and magic system – so there’s a clear point of difference – are more likely to stand out when it comes time to submit to agents. I want to read about worlds and settings I haven’t seen before! I also prefer magic systems that have clear rules and limitations, as this makes them feel more realistic and grounded. I’m especially drawn to stories where the limits of the magic create dilemmas or consequences for the characters.
What’s one common misconception about literary agents that you’d like to dispel?
Probably the biggest misconception is that we spend all day reading! It happens occasionally that I can read during the day at my desk, but most of my reading happens in the evenings or on weekends. The bulk of an agent’s day is actually made up of emails, reviewing deal memos and contracts, checking client royalty statements, and meetings. As much as we’d all love to spend all of our days reading and discovering new authors, that’s sadly not the reality for most agents.
You represent Paige Cowan-Hall, winner of Discoveries 2023. What was it about Paige’s entry to Discoveries that grabbed you?
It’s hard to pinpoint one thing as the overall entry was just brilliant – I loved the voice, the characters felt authentic and dynamic, and I was intrigued by the pitch and outline for the book.
You’ve been a Discoveries reader and team member since 2022; this is your first year on the judging panel. What are you most looking forward to about being a judge this year?
Probably the fact I’m going to have the chance to discuss brilliant new writers and their work with my fellow judges! If you had told me I’d be on a judging panel with Kate Mosse a few years ago, I would have been very surprised!
Do you have any advice for writers getting ready to submit to Discoveries 2026?
I think my main advice is to just go for it! If you’ve ever thought about writing or had an idea for a book niggling in the back of your head for years, I think now is the time to give it a go. This is a free competition to enter, and the deadline isn’t until January, so why not? You might surprise yourself!
What will you be looking for from entrants when reading for Discoveries?
Overall, I’m looking for something that feels fresh and a story I might not have read before. We are looking for promise and not polish when it comes to the writing, but the pitch needs to feel different, original and compelling.
Ciara Finan is part of the Discoveries 2026 judging panel – she will be joined by chair of judges and founder of the Women's Prize Kate Mosse, acclaimed authors Dorothy Koomson and Nussaibah Younis and CBC's founder Anna Davis.
Best of luck preparing your submission to Discoveries 2026. We’re so excited to read your work!
For advice preparing your novel-in-progress to enter Discoveries 2026, sign up for our free webinar: Your Novel: How to Get Started (taking place on Thurs 30 Oct). This special panel event will feature expert speakers. Click the button below to find out more about the event.
The books linked in this blog can be found on our Bookshop.org shop front. Curtis Brown Creative receive 10% whenever someone buys from our bookshop.org page.