CWIP LAUNCH
- Helen Lederer
- Oct 24, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 29, 2018
With the empowering and witty words of Catherine the Great ringing in my ears - ‘Your wit makes other’s witty’ I headed off - in what I hoped was an enabling yet witty manner - to announce the launch of CWIP and the hilarious news that - at last - funny female authors can now win a literary prize for both published and unpublished fiction.
Jenny shared her enthusiasm for CWIP as well as her own motivation for wit on the page - ‘comedy was what I loved - I was obsessed with it - I wanted to be a comedian but I was shit at it, so I started writing novels’ (It’s worth reminding ourselves here, that many of Jenny’s novels have been Sunday Times Top 10 bestsellers HL).
And as we later opined (some may note self-conscious use of word ‘opined’ here – intended for irony purposes - please overlook if not helping HL) the plethora of other female funny fiction authors such as Stella Gibbons, Sue Townsend, Muriel Spark, Mavis Cheek, Jenny Éclair, Marian Keyes Allison Pearson and of course many other enticing novelist names that were being rapidly googled - when Jenny (Colgan) appositely reminded us ‘the era is definitely passing where men would say that women just aren’t funny’ adding wisely ‘with the exception of possibly Nigel Farage’.
Gill Sims, another witty supporter of CWIP and a huge success story of a funny author traversing from unpublished to published – stated rather cheerfully ‘I started the blog in February as a joke and it snowballed hugely, then in the October, Harper Collins made a firm offer’.
It must have been firm. Gill’s first book Why Mummy Drinks ended up a bestselling fiction debut of 2017, with over six months in the top ten of the Sunday Times Bestseller Charts.
Gill spoke in a very funny way (some swear words to enhance - HL) yet she was also mindful of why we were all in the room ‘A lot of people come into it from non-traditional routes thinking that comedy prizes aren’t going to be in their grasp, but I think there is an opening for unpublished work' (I think I may have intervened at this point to say something like ‘yes and might we all like to refer to CWIP’s ‘how to enter unpublished section’ in the website…which is being declared open as we speak’ HL).
Janet referred back to her novel (optioned - just saying HL) - ‘I like witty women and I wanted to write a book that made me laugh first and foremost. I think what you are doing is amazing (err… CWIP she means HL). In future we will not have to do this, we will just acknowledge funny writing - but at the moment we do need to fight our corner in all areas, within that limited space. A few years ago, it was slightly offensive, and you really had to stand your ground. This time we are really saying women are funny and please can we have a prize, so well done you’.
And then there was Angela Jackson (witty blogger and author) who said crisply ‘when women write funny it’s called chick lit and when men write funny it’s called commercial fiction’ (someone may have cheered at this HL) and JoJo Fraser (funny blogger), who was standing next to Angela (possibly with a croissant and if she wasn’t, I hope she was as they were nice HL ) added that the CWIP prize would be very important because ‘we all hear these voices, no matter what our gender is - were not funny enough were not good enough - tell them to pipe down -these thoughts come in, but they don’t have to define you, you can still get the job done’.
I agreed with JoJo, before rushing off to do two shows (mild showing off but ‘boasting’ is officially received as ‘less arrogant’ after 50) leaving some CWIP supporters who were performing in Edinburgh, to finish the drink.
HL
PS Some members of the TV Production company ‘Big Talk’ allegedly, managed to sneak in to hug the pastry table and see what’s what - but as yet, no record of a photo has emerged – pity – it might have been useful to know who to send the funny novels to for optioning purposes - time enough though - this is only the beginning….
It's fantastic to see initiatives like CWIP launch, dedicated to celebrating and supporting women in comedy writing. The comedy landscape benefits immensely from diverse voices, and CWIP plays a crucial role in providing a platform for talented female writers to shine. This kind of initiative not only helps to recognize existing talent but also encourages aspiring writers to pursue their passion, knowing there's a supportive community and platform for their work.
Speaking of support, I recall during my academic years, facing assignments that felt quite daunting. That's when I discovered affordable assignment services, which were a great help in navigating those challenges. If you're currently tackling a finance-related assignment, you might find it beneficial to consider a service to Write…
great thoughts
Balancing studies, work, and life can be overwhelming, especially when challenging subjects like algebra are involved. Many students often wonder, “Can I pay someone to take my online algebra class?” This option can be a lifesaver for those struggling to keep up with formulas, assignments, and quizzes. With the right support, you can stay on track academically without sacrificing your mental well-being or other responsibilities. It's all about managing your workload wisely and seeking help when needed.
The CWIP LAUNCH marks an exciting step forward, bringing new opportunities for innovation and growth. Whether it's in education, technology, or business, such initiatives pave the way for progress. For students managing their studies alongside new developments, reliable Assignment Help can ensure they stay on track while keeping up with industry advancements.
The CWIP launch highlights the power of humor and creativity in writing, just as MBA assignment help empowers students to think critically and strategically. Both celebrate the importance of support and guidance in unlocking potential, helping individuals transform their ideas into impactful, successful outcomes—whether in literature or business.