Meet this year's expert panel of judges, to be chaired by Kate Mosse, Founder Director of the Women’s Prize.
Discoveries invites all unpublished and unagented women writers aged 18 and up, currently residing in the UK or Ireland and writing in English, to submit their works of adult fiction to the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.
Curtis Brown Creative and the Curtis Brown literary agency are delighted to be partnering with the Women’s Prize Trust and Audible the Discoveries writing development programme and prize for unpublished women writers currently residing in the UK or Ireland. The prize, now in its sixth 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.
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 stories.
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 2026 is now closed.
If you have any questions about eligibility, how to submit or the prizes on offer, please read our FAQs.
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 (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 29 June to Friday 10 July 2026, 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 2026 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.
Learn how to write a great opening that will inspire your readers to keep turning the page and uncover what the judges are looking for from submissions. Join our free webinar on Thursday 30 October 2025, 7.00pm to 8.30pm (UK time).
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 Rosie Rowell, with her atmospheric thriller Down by the Stryth. Additionally, Jac Felipez 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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