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Comedy Women In Print Prize Expands Horizons with New Self-Published Category

  • Comedy in Your Eye
  • 7 hours ago
  • 2 min read

The Comedy Women in Print Prize (CWIP) has announced exciting developments for its 2025 edition, including the introduction of a self-published category. This initiative aims to further support and celebrate female comedy writers, providing them with a platform to showcase their talent and gain recognition in the literary world.

Key Takeaways

  • New Category: Introduction of a self-published category for the 2025 awards.

  • Submission Dates: Entries open from 14th April to 23rd May 2025.

  • Prizes: Over £10,000 in prizes, including publishing opportunities and mentorships.

  • Judging Panel: A diverse panel of judges across three categories.

Overview of the Comedy Women In Print Prize

Founded in 2019 by actress and comedian Helen Lederer, the CWIP was established to address the gender disparity in comedy writing. The prize aims to elevate the voices of women in the literary scene, particularly in comedy, where they have historically been underrepresented. The 2025 edition marks the fifth cycle of the awards, which have already made significant strides in promoting female talent.

New Self-Published Category

This year, the CWIP has added a self-published category, recognising the growing number of women taking control of their publishing journeys. Helen Lederer stated, "The fact that we include self-published this year chimes with CWIP’s mission statement – women’s wit empowers. After all, to publish your own book is surely the most empowering writerly thing you can do!"

The self-published category aims to eliminate snobbery surrounding self-publishing and encourage more women to share their comedic narratives. Dr Nick Courtright, founder of Atmosphere Press, expressed his support, highlighting the importance of providing opportunities for hybrid and self-published authors.

Prizes and Opportunities

The CWIP offers a range of prizes designed to support writers at different stages of their careers:

  1. Published Comedy Novel: Winner receives £3,000 from the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).

  2. Unpublished Comedy Novel: Winner gets published by Hera Books, along with significant exposure.

  3. Self-Published Comedy Novel: Winner receives a publicity package valued at over £2,500 from Atmosphere Press.

Additionally, runners-up in each category will have the opportunity to participate in writing mentorships or gain a place in an online MA in Comedy Writing at Falmouth University, the first of its kind in the UK.

Judging Panel

The 2025 CWIP will feature a diverse panel of judges across its three categories:

  • 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.

  • Self-Published: Llewella Gideon, Deborah Maclaren, Nina Wadia, Lesley Joseph, Alison Hume, Silvia Saunders.

Conclusion

The Comedy Women in Print Prize continues to break barriers and create opportunities for women in comedy writing. With the addition of the self-published category, the CWIP is set to empower even more female voices, ensuring that their stories are heard and celebrated. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Groucho Club on 3rd November 2025, marking another milestone in the journey of women in comedy literature.

Sources

  • Judges Announces for Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025, Beyond The Joke.

  • Comedy Women In Print Prize adds self-published category, British Comedy Guide.

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