The 2025
prize

introducing the 2025 shortlist...

The 2025 Published Novels Shortlist

The Published Novel shortlist celebrates anarchic, daring writers, some drawing on political landscapes and worlds far beyond the domestic arena. Published Novel category head Judge Chrissie Manby says 'I think this is a fabulous shortlist with something for everyone. We’ve chosen seven truly original books that feel very fresh and exciting. What’s particularly noteworthy is that four of our shortlisted titles are debuts, with a level of accomplishment to make this old author weep.’

The absurdity of ‘funny sad’ and ‘out of the box’ thinking makes this year’s list stand out as an evolved celebration of contemporary writing - allowing comedy to be conjured from ISIS brides (Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis) and aliens (Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino) - Or a 40-year-old radio producer having to face up to the sex predators hiding behind her celebrity comedian (Don’t Make Me Laugh by writer and standup Julia Raeside). Similarly, the darker side of clowning as an art form (Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One by Kristen Arnett) offers insight in the profession of comedy itself. No taboo is off the table. Women take back agency and celebrate finding a place in a world that – until only recently - was closed to them.

Domestic breakdown is rendered with poignancy and heart in The Wedding People by Alison Espach (where a divorcee checks into a lavish hotel intending to commit suicide but ends up as a guest of the wedding taking place there) to a Groundhog Day marriage where a new husband emerges from the attic every day (Holly Gramazio’s The Husbands, a satire on the commitment-phobic Tinder generation). Ruthless self- plundering of millennial angst and neurodivergence are given a new satirical twist in Sara Pascoe’s Weirdo.

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Kristen Arnett

YOU yes YOU! We want YOU to DECIDE which CWIP shortlisted published novel does it for you

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The 2025 Self-Published Novels Shortlist

Attention Libraries and Bookshops!

Check out this fab downloadable poster featuring our fabulous shortlist. Use it to make a display and share it on social media using #CWIPprize for a chance to win a special prize!

SHORTLIST POSTER

The Self-Published Novel is a new CWIP category and celebrates witty women writers who have the courage to publish themselves. This genre of ‘unsung’ publishing is seen as a welcome addition to traditional publishing. The shortlisted narratives show women finding their strength and redefining themselves. From cosy crime to women in competition with each other these titles showcase a warmer side to witty story telling. The winner will receive a package from hybrid book publisher Atmosphere Press. Self-Published Novel category head judge Llewella Gideon comments: ‘The entries this year have been bold, brave and full of confidence, which is indicative of the spirit of the writers who dared to go out there and publish themselves so their unique voices could be heard.’

From a playful rendition of subversive law breakers set in the times of Jane Austin (Crime and Prejudice by Julia Miller) to a murder mystery set in the 90’s and the one-upmanship of round robin letters (A Perfect Year by Ruth Foster) and a time travelling romp where lifesaving hindsight comes into play (Butterflies by Michelle Smart). There’s also a Scottish reality game show that plays host to a real life robbery (Game of Trust: A Losers Club Murder Mystery by Yvonne Vincent) as well as a family hippy trip to Goa where 1970’s counterculture and 1980’s excess causes a daughter to crave normality (Octopus by Pony Louder) and the challenges of an apparent ‘perfect life’ which leads Georgie to jettison security for life as a stand-up comedian (The Stand-Up Mam by Kay Wilson)

CWIP Founder Helen Lederer comments: ‘It’s CWIP’s seventh year and with it came my seven-year itch – do we still need a prize for witty women writers I asked? But the judges support for these books proves how a new bravery and boldness in witty writing is both needed and relished. The need to connect through humour has never been more valued. Our job is to big up the funny. The itch has been scratched’.

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Ruth Foster

The 2025 Unpublished Novels Shortlist

The Unpublished Novel shortlist brings six new writers closer to a book deal with Hera Books. Cross-generational stories dominate the list, in a recognisable post-Covid landscape, where many of our closest relationships have literally been blown apart, as characters strive to reconnect.

Unpublished Novel category head judge Jennifer Young comments: ‘The CWIP shortlist novels are brimming with wit and warmth, while tackling complex intergenerational relationships and the ties that bring us together. Judging such a rich long list was not easy!’

These stunning debuts include a relatable but original range of precincts from an Asian mother in the thick of the sandwich generation (Music for the Samosa Generation by Natalie Willbe) to a young recluse who busts her grandmother out of her care home (The Way of Nellie May by Rachel Sambrooks) to the perils of perimenopausal dating (Generation Ex by Dara Lutes): or where Derry chalk and cheese sisters swap lives temporarily and find that walking in each other's shoes leads to deeper connection (Some News by Jeananne Craig) to the daughter of a family owned funeral home who accidentally murders the son of a professional crime group (When Death is the Day Job by Deborah Rayner) and where the ambitions of a doctor who avoids emotions and her failing marriage by chasing success (Checking Out by Raedin O'Connor).