Discoveries 2024 now open for submissions!

Discoveries invites unpublished women writers in the UK and Ireland to submit the opening of a novel in English – of up to 10,000 words – for the chance to develop their writing through bespoke courses, mentoring sessions, industry insight and more. Unlike most initiatives of this kind, writers are not required to have finished their novel, and Discoveries is completely free to enter.

Discoveries is a pioneering development programme that offers practical support and encouragement to writers. Throughout the submissions window, the Women’s Prize Trust and Curtis Brown Creative will offer practical advice, motivation and industry insight to the growing Discoveries writing community through a library of free online writing resources and events.

Submissions for the 2024 Prize are open from 20 September 2023 until 8 January 2024. 

Head to our Discoveries page for FAQs, Terms and Conditions, and details of how to apply > > >

In the first three years of Discoveries, 16 longlisted authors have accepted literary agent representation, including Olivia Ford, whose debut novel, Mrs Quinn’s Rise to Fame, was sold by Curtis Brown agent Lucy Morris in a major two-book deal to Penguin.  It is set for publication in the UK and US in spring 2024, and has been sold in seven translation deals to date.

This year’s judging panel will be chaired by Kate Mosse, international bestselling novelist and Founder Director of the Women’s Prize; and includes award-winning authors Natasha Brown and Rowan Hisayo Buchanan; Jess Molloy, Curtis Brown literary agent; and Anna Davis, Founder and Managing Director of Curtis Brown Creative writing school.

The Discoveries 2024 judges meeting was hosted in the beautiful library at Kindred in Hammersmith. 

Jess Molloy, Agent, Curtis Brown, and Anna Davis, MD Curtis Brown Creative, said: “As the Discoveries 2024 prize opens for entries, we’re already getting excited at the prospect of finding lots more new voices to champion and support through our development programme. If writing has just been a secret dream until now, take this as a sign to get those first 10,000 words down on the page. If you’re already working on a novel, how about giving your opening a quick once-over? There’ll be numerous Discoveries events and resources produced with the Women’s Prize Trust to inspire you and help you make progress, so join us online or in person, and then take a deep breath and press send!”

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