This year’s Published Novel longlist celebrates 14 anarchic and daring writers. The novels cover genres from domestic noir to queer fiction, from sci-fi to clowning, proving that comedy can cross-fertilise with many other genres. This year’s female comic writers have drawn on political landscapes and worlds far beyond the domestic arena – with ‘out of the box’ thinking that allows comedy to be conjured from ISIS brides (Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis), conflicted sisters from a traditional British Jewish family (Mixed by Tamar Hodes), aliens (Beautyland by Marie-Helen Bertino) and the married life of murderers (A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay).
This year, characters who are engaged in professional comedy also have their darker say on how it really is (Don’t Make Me Laugh by Julia Raeside, Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe, The Revenge Club by Kathy Lette and Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One by Kristen Arnett). Uninhibited takes on millennial angst and neurodivergence are given a new satirical twist (The Husbands by Holly Gramazio, Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey and Weirdo by Sara Pascoe). From a New York beauty PR sabotaging her perfect life (Marian Keyes’s My Favourite Mistake), to domestic breakdown where one partner is accused of ‘LesbOedipal tendencies’ (Charlotte Mendelson’s Wife), these witty books tackle tough subjects: love, grief, guilt, class, inappropriate relationships, online sex work, narcissism, coercive control, even murder.
CWIP was established to both celebrate women’s wit as well as enable new writing careers where doors had been closed. Hera Books will publish the winner of the Unpublished Novel category, playing a significant part in achieving this aim. This is the fifth prize cycle of the UK and Ireland’s first and only prize to shine a light on witty novels by women – celebrating diverse female voices and kick-starting comedy writing careers. The Unpublished runners-up win either a place on an MA in Comedy Writing or writing mentorship from Falmouth University, a place on an MA by Research in Creative Writing or writing mentorship from the University of Hertfordshire, or a Platinum Package from Fuzzy Flamingo.
The CWIP Prize was launched by actor, author and stand-up comedian HELEN LEDERER (pictured left with Sharon Horgan, middle and Meera Syal right) in 2019, as a literary platform to increase exposure for diverse female witty voices in comedy fiction, and as a way of celebrating fresh and established talent. Helen comments: ‘We have had more entries than ever: we have established a witty writing platform community, and we receive support from the most wonderful people and places – this has to mean something in a world where wit and shared values are so precious and necessary.’
Since CWIP began in 2019 over 40 new writers’ careers have been launched – the most recent success stories being Silvia Saunders’ Homesick, Veronika Dapunt’s Death and Other Occupational Hazards, and Niloufar Lamakan’s Aged to Perfection.
The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 longlist for the Published Novel category is:
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis (Weidenfeld & Nicolson)
Beautyland by Marie Helen Bertino (Vintage)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Phoenix)
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio (Chatto & Windus))
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey (Fourth Estate)
Mixed by Tama Hodes (Legend Press)
My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes (Penguin Michael Joseph)
The Revenge Club by Kathy Lette (Aria)
A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay (Wildfire)
Wife by Charlotte Mendelson (Mantle)
Weirdo by Sara Pascoe (Faber & Faber)
Don’t Make Me Laugh by Julia Raeside (Bedford Square Publishers)
Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe (Sceptre)
Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One by Kristen Arnett (Corsair)
The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 longlist for the Unpublished Novel category is:
Music for the Samosa Generation by Natalie Willbe
On Wednesdays We Wear Black by Ceri Gould Thomas
The Way of Nellie May by Rachel Sambrooks
The Secrets of a Honey Trapper by Ali Grugeon
When Death is the Day Job by Deborah Rayner
Checking Out by Raedin O'Connor
Everything She Wants by Hannah Verdier
Generation Ex by Dara Lutes
Phantam by Dara Annie Rosen
Jailbirds and Seaside Pigeons by Jenny Howard
Some News by Jeananne Craig
The Accidental Agony Aunt by Caroline Davies
The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 longlist for the Self-Published Novel category is
A Perfect Year by Ruth Foster
Butterflies by Michelle Smart
Finding Monsieur Right by Chloe Rayban
Game of Trust by Yvonne Vincent
It Started With a Shoe by Sarah Scally
Crime & Prejudice by Julia Miller
Mapton Roars! by Sam Maxfield
Octopus by Pony Louder
The Postcard in the Window by Sarah Scally
The Stand-Up Mam by Kay Wilson
The Other Side of Yes by Kerrie Noor
Whatever You Want by Lesley Bown
ABOUT THE JUDGES
This year’s judges of CWIP’s published category include actor, performer and writer Chizzy Akudolu; TV fashion journalist, writer, style advisor, television presenter and author Susannah Constantine; stand-up comedian and actor Kerry Godliman; fiction author and Independent columnist Chris Manby; actor, comedian and writer Ingrid Oliver; Ranvir Singh, award-winning presenter of ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Real Stories.
Unpublished judges include Dawn Butler MP (formerly Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement); actor, former Blue Peter presenter and novelist Janet Ellis; arts journalist Liz Hoggard; award-winning writer, performer, theatre-maker and creative producer Malaika Kegode; Co-Founder and Executive Publisher of Hera Books Keshini Naidoo; and historical novelist Jennifer Young, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Design and Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Falmouth University.
Self-published judges include actor, comedian and writer Llewella Gideon; writer, MP and disability rights activist Alison Hume; stage and screen actor Lesley Joseph; book reviewer and MD of LoveReading Deborah Maclaren; and Silvia Saunders, whose debut novel, Homesick, was winner of the CWIP Unpublished Prize in 2023.
PRIZES
Self-Published Comedy Novel
The Self-Published / Hybrid Published Comedy Novel winner will be celebrated at the winner’s event at The Groucho Club, receiving a package from hybrid book publisher Atmosphere Press.
Published Comedy Novel
The Published Comedy Novel winner receives £3000 from ALCS.
Unpublished Comedy Novel
The new Unpublished Comedy Novel winner will be published by Hera Books. Runners-up win the offer of a place on the online MA in Comedy Writing at Falmouth University, which is the first of its kind in the country, OR a writing mentorship. Other runners-up receive a place on an MA by ‘Research in Creative Writing’ or a writing mentorship from the University of Hertfordshire, as well as a Platinum Package from Fuzzy Flamingo, a UK-based package publisher bringing insight into regional trends and market expectations. www.fuzzyflamingo.co.uk
Hera Books Founder Keshini Naidoo commented: ‘In a world in which we are beset by dark news on a daily basis we need levity more than ever – and that’s why CWIP’s mission is not only admirable but deeply important, and we are honoured to be uniting with them to bring the winner of the Unpublished Prize to the market.’
‘Comedy Women in Print has gone from strength to strength, and it’s thrilling to see it back for the fifth iteration. Falmouth University is particularly proud of current MA Comedy Writing student Veronika Dapunt. It’s been brilliant working with her across the degree, and we can’t wait for her novel’s debut.’ – Falmouth University
Penny Pritchard, Head of English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Hertfordshire, commented: ‘We are so pleased to once again be part of CWIP this year. It has enabled us to support Christina Carty, who is about to complete her MA by research thesis, and Zahra Barri who is now a published author and is completing her PhD with us having passed her MA with flying colours. It’s an exciting time and we can’t wait to find out who our next CWIP winner will be.’
Honorary Awards: Game Changer of the year, New Voice award, Witty Influencer award. Previous winners: Jilly Cooper, Ruth Jones, Sharon Horgan and Meera Syal.
Shortlist Announced: Wednesday 17 September 2025.
Shortlisted Authors CWIP Salon: Tuesday 14 October 2025 at The Groucho Club – an evening of ‘wit lit’ with Helen Lederer, celebrity comedians and published authors.
CWIP Winners Event: Monday 3 November 2025 at The Groucho Club with celebrities, industry influencers, media players and authors.
