Discoveries 2023
Discoveries is a pioneering programme seeking the most talented and original new female writing voices in the UK and Ireland.
Discoveries is a pioneering programme seeking the most talented and original new female writing voices in the UK and Ireland.
The Women’s Prize Trust, Audible, Curtis Brown literary agency and Curtis Brown Creative have partnered to run the Discoveries writing development programme for a third year.
Discoveries is more than a traditional writing prize, it is a pioneering development initiative which offers practical support and encouragement to aspiring female novelists of all ages and backgrounds, from across the UK and Ireland. The programme culminates with awarding the Discoveries Prize for an unpublished novel-in-progress.
In just two years, this writing development programme has grown in popularity, with over 2,500 entries received in 2022.
So far, 12 longlisted writers from 2021 and 2022 have gone on to gain literary agent representation, including the 2021 winning author Emma van Straaten, who is completing her novel and is represented by Curtis Brown agent Lucy Morris and 2022 winner Sui Annukka, who has accepted an offer of representation from Curtis Brown agent Jess Molloy.
Discoveries 2023 is now closed for entries. Click the link below to find out more about Discoveries 2024.
Discoveries invites all unpublished women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK or Ireland and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction to the Discoveries Prize.
The prize 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 the prize and have continued working on their story.
The prize 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).
Discoveries 2023 is now closed for entries. Click the link below to find out more about Discoveries 2025.
The winner will be offered representation by Curtis Brown Literary Agency and a cash prize of £5,000.
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.
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.
The shortlisted writers will also take part in a studio session focused on writing and recording for audio with Audible.
All sixteen longlisted authors will receive a bespoke, two-week online Discoveries Writing Development Course. The course will be taught by taught by Women’s Prize shortlisted author Charlotte Mendelson and it focuses on the works-in-progress of the longlisted writers, using one-to-one tutorials, live teaching on Zoom, writing exercises and group discussions on Curtis Brown Creative’s online learning platform.
Learn more about the Discoveries Writing Development course
All 16 writers will also receive an annual Audible subscription.
Every novel starts with a first line, every career with a first moment of inspiration and we want to reach out to writers in their communities to offer them encouragement and practical support at the beginning of their creative journeys.
As well as the prize this programme includes free online content. This will include everything from interviews with publishing industry professionals to practical advice and inspiration from former winners and shortlistees of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, as well as a series of teaching notes by Curtis Brown Creative Writing School to help writers craft their submissions. Online workshops will also be hosted with a range of partners to reach as many aspiring authors as possible.
Read our latest Discoveries writing advice blogs
A recording of our ‘Your Novel: How to Get Started’ webinar is now available to watch, featuring a panel of Curtis Brown agents, authors and Discoveries judges, chaired by Kate Mosse. Don't miss out – this webinar will be available to view until Jun 2023.
