The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 (CWIP), the UK and Ireland’s first prize to shine a light on witty women writers, today announces a stellar line-up of judges as submissions open for the award’s fifth cycle (entries open Monday 14th April). Created by actress, author, and stand-up comedian Helen Lederer, CWIP was launched in 2019 in response to the lack of support and exposure for female comedy writing and as a way of discovering new talent. This is a truly rags to riches prize that offers a fast track to writing careers to those who would have otherwise been overlooked as well as shining a light on the best of established women’s witty fiction.
In 2019 more men were winning comedy literary awards than women as well as being commissioned by publishers. By joining the same literary landscape, CWIP has created more parity in recognition, celebrated more ‘genres’ of humour initiated by women and enabled new writers to acquire agents or become published success stories.
Hera Books is joining CWIP for the first time as the publisher of the winning unpublished manuscript providing a dream come true for a previously unpublished author. The destination of a published book – especially for a writer who may otherwise have been overlooked - is very much part of CWIP’s armoury of meaningful prizes.
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is not only admirable but deeply important, and we are honoured to be uniting with them to bring the winner of the Unpublished Prize to the market”
The Prize will be open for submissions in three categories - Published, Unpublished for emerging writers and NEW this year - is a third category – Self-Published.
Helen Lederer, Founder of CWIP commented: “The fact that we include self-published this year chimes with CWIP’s mission statement – women’s wit empowers. Afterall, to publish your own book is surely the most empowering writerly thing you can do! We want to overcome snobbery and increase laughter.”
Dr. Nick Courtright, Founder of Atmosphere Press, supporters of the self-published category commented: “CWIP is such a wonderful prize, giving great opportunities to funny literary talent. I'm especially glad that it's now open to hybrid published and self-published authors, as these writers have taken the matter of getting their work out there into their own hands”
Submissions for CWIP 2025 open on Monday 14th April. All entries should be submitted before the deadline of Friday 23rd May. The competition, which offers £10,000 worth of prizes, is a gold standard for a bold and varied range of witty writing styles and celebrates the winners at a fabulous awards event to be held at London’s Groucho Club. Previous winners and highlighted witty authors have included Nikki May, Silvia Saunders, Josie Long, Lucy Mangan, Dolly Alderton, Mel Giedroyc, Nina Stibbe, Candice Carty-Williams, Gail Honeyman, Diksha Basu, Andi Osho, Daisy Buchanan, Beth O’Leary – all of whom have seen their work cross over into TV and film - and many other talented authors who demonstrate the wide breadth of reliably funny voices.
Previous nominee Hannah Dolby praised CWIP: “The Comedy Women in Print Awards have truly changed my life and made my lifelong dream of being an author come true.”
Barbara Hayes, Deputy CEO of the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) commented: “The Authors’ Licensing & Collecting Society is delighted to sponsor the very important work of CWIP celebrating underrepresented witty female writers and providing that essential platform for their stories to be told. The awards recognise the amazing talent that provides us with such entertaining books, and we are proud to be involved in an enterprise that helps celebrate writers in such a fiercely competitive arena.”
Self-Published Comedy Novel The Self-Published / Hybrid Published Comedy Novel winner receives a publicity package from hybrid book publisher Atmosphere Press with a value of over £2500.
Published Comedy Novel The Published Comedy Novel winner receives £3000 from ALCS.
Unpublished Comedy Novel The Unpublished Comedy Novel winner is published with Hera Books and receives huge attention. 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, subject to the first module being funded by the University and the remaining modules paid for by the prize winner 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 invaluable insight into regional trends and market expectations. The package comprises consultation and editing/design of the manuscript to maximise its potential across all public publishing destinations. www.fuzzyflamingo.co.uk
The 2025 CWIP judges are:
Published Chrissie Manby, Kerry Godliman, Ranvir Singh, Ingrid Oliver, Chizzy Akudolu, Susannah Constantine
Unpublished Jennifer Young, Liz Hoggard, Malaika Kegode, Janet Ellis, Keshini Naidoo, Dawn Butler MP
Self-Published Llewella Gideon, Deborah Maclaren, Nina Wadia, Lesley Joseph, Alison Hume MP, Silvia Saunders
For further information on the Comedy Women in Print prize please visit: www.comedywomeninprint.co.uk
The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 winners will be announced at an award ceremony at the Groucho Club on Monday 3 November 2025.
