Nussaibah Younis: 'Never underestimate readers’ appetites for daring stories'
BY Discoveries
28th 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 Women's Prize for Fiction shortlisted author Dr Nussaibah Younis about her advice for writing dark humour, her favourite fictional characters and what she'll be looking for as a judge for Discoveries 2026.
Your debut novel Fundamentally has garnered huge success, including being shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025. What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve learnt during the publication process and your time being a debut author?
I’ve been astonished that Fundamentally has been embraced across the political spectrum and by people I would never have expected to engage with a satirical comedy about a UN program to deradicalize ISIS brides! I think a big learning is to never underestimate readers’ appetites for daring stories!
Fundamentally is partially inspired by your career as a peacebuilding practitioner in Iraq. You also have a great love of stand-up (both watching and performing) which has informed the humour in your fiction. When it comes to writing satire and dark comedy whilst highlighting serious themes, do you have any advice for budding novelists?
I love placing my characters in situations they would hate, and forcing them to interact with people who would drive them nuts! You can have a lot of fun (and create a lot of humour) through bonkers juxtaposition.
Whilst you were writing your debut you studied on a stand-up comedy course as well as Curtis Brown Creative’s Writing Your Novel course. What are the top takeaways you gleaned from both courses?
It’s crucial to have the courage to write badly for a long time. It’s only once you have a first draft, and have discovered the bones of your story, that you can start to really shape it into something special. Don’t let yourself get trapped polishing your opening chapters forever!
Who is your favourite fictional character?
One of my recent favourites is Flavia from the novel Big Swiss! Her repeated character assassination of her own therapist never fails to make me laugh.
What’s been your favourite book of 2025 so far?
The Mercy Step by Marcia Hutchinson is a gorgeously original, witty, and deeply moving novel about a precocious young girl growing up in 1960s Bradford. I think its brilliant, and highly recommend it.
We’re delighted to have you on board as a judge for Discoveries 2026 – do you have any advice for writers getting ready to submit to the prize?
If you have friends who love reading, or a book club, why not share your submission with them and ask for feedback before you submit it to us? It can be amazing how useful it is to get another set of eyes on your work to help you improve it. I had tonnes of friends read my debut novel before I ever sent it to agents, and it made my work so much better.
What will you be looking for from entrants when reading for Discoveries?
I love reading things that feel original and authentic to the writer – rather than writing that is trying hard to imitate existing works. Lean into your unique perspectives, talents or ways of seeing the world, and you’ll give us a story that feels brand new.
Before going on to publish her brilliant debut Fundamentally, Nussaibah Younis was a student on our six-month London Writing Your Novel course in 2022 and the one-day The Rewrite Doctor course in January 2023. Read about her time studying with us here.
Nussaibah 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 author Dorothy Koomson, Curtis Brown literary agent Ciara Finan 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.
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