Chibundu Onuzo is Judging the Women’s Prize for Fiction’s ‘Discoveries’ Prize | How to Apply

Nigerian writer Chibundu Onuzo is one of the judges for the 2023 ‘Discoveries’ writing contest. She is joined by international bestselling novelist and Founder Director of the Women’s Prize Kate Mosse, writer Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Curtis Brown literary agent Lucy Morris, and Founder and Managing Director of Curtis Brown Creative Writing School Anna Davis.

The initiative, which is sponsored by UK’s Women’s Prize for Fiction, provides an opportunity for emerging writers who are un-agented and unpublished to have their manuscripts read and evaluated by leading industry professionals. Women writers in the UK and Ireland are invited to submit the opening of a novel in English – up to 10,000 words – across any genre of adult fiction.

The perks of participation include:

• The winner will receive an offer of representation from top UK literary agency Curtis Brown and a cash award of £5000.
• The 16 longlisted authors will receive a bespoke, two-week online Discoveries Writing Development Course taught by Women’s Prize shortlisted author Charlotte Mendelson and an annual Audible subscription.
• The six shortlisted authors will also have access to mentoring with a Curtis Brown agent, a free spot on a six-week online writing course with Curtis Brown Creative, and a studio session focused on writing and recording for audio with Audible.
• 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.

DEADLINE: January 15, 2023

The Discoveries Prize longlist and shortlist will be announced in May 2023, and the winner in June.

For information on how to participate, go here.