You know what they say, Behind every female comedy author
stands a man... Sulking
Entry Form for unpublished Writers
Entry Form for unpublished Writers
The 2022/23
PRIZE
PRAISE, RESPECT AND ALL-ROUND ADULATION FROM US - writing funny is hard - you made it look easy - you NAILED it!
2022/23 Winners
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Awards Event Gallery
2022/23 Partners
2022/23 Supporters
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Latham and Watkins | Laurie Peters
2022/23 Donors
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Michael Bonsor - Rosewood Hotel Holborn | Peter da Silva - Le Jardin des Douars - Morocco, Hartwell House & Spa
2022/23 Judges
Published Novel Judges
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Biographies... oooh
Unpublished Novel Judges
Head Judge
Head Judge
Short Story Judges
Head Judge
The 2022/23 Published Novels Shortlist
Angie Greaves, Chair of the published novel category says: “The panel had the most difficult task of creating a shortlist but, after much debate, we've created a list that reflects creative writing at its best and also represents comedy at its best.”
Founder, Helen Lederer, says: “CWIP is a platform for witty literature as much as a competition. We may have laughed less in the last two years because of Covid, but only a few years before that, we were mostly laughing at men’s funny books because they were championed more.”
From a culture clash engagement (Love Marriage by Monica Ali) to the witty exposure of start-up culture and relationships (The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam); from the injustices embedded inside an Irish shirt factory (Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen) to a woman scientist confronting male trickery and sexism (Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus); from a thriller love story that cofounds logic with a pringle enthusiast and a dog owner (Impossible by Sarah Lotz) to housemate millennials who find themselves locked in their own attic (The Lock In by Phoebe Luckhurst); from three best friends who turn against each other (Wahala by Nikki May) to a dysfunctional family of artists and egos (The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson).
These titles prove there is still plenty of room for fun and light, especially about love and millennial dating, but equally, women’s wit is proving to be a welcome connecter to a darker side of the world we live in now. Grief, sex, guilt, class, race, workplace sexism and the housing crisis – are all here. Bold, absurd, modern, rude, eminently relatable, and quite frankly, we are honoured to celebrate them.
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The 2022/23 Unpublished Novels Shortlist
Jennifer Young, Chair of the unpublished novel category, says: “The shortlist judging this year was the hardest it’s been in the four years of CWIP – the standard of the novels keeps getting higher and higher! It was such a joy to discuss these amazing novels with such wonderful witty women. It was difficult, but we’ve landed on a superb shortlist!”
Judge Llewella Gideon says: “Unpublished prizes give the writers the confidence and recognition that they are on the right path. I love reading the entries. It’s so exciting to read new female comedy voices.”
From Tinder dating in your sixties (Swiping at 60 by Niloufar Lamakan) to a subversive sleuth (Miss Merriman Regrets by Louise Jensen); from an unplanned death or five (Death And Her Life by Veronika Dapunt) to ‘couple envy’ (Happy Above Us by Sylvia Saunders); from surprise mothering (While He Looked At The Moon by Christina Carty) to a celestial reckoning in the afterlife after three failed engagements (Second Chance by Joanna Waldron) as well as an ex-gambling addict/priest who dabbles with crime (Godfellas by Nicola Whyte) - this year’s unpublished list offers originality alongside relatable characters and bold humour. We cannot wait to see the next phase of these talented witty writers. You saw them here first!
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The 2022/23 Short Story Shortlist
Keeping it short but funny are these brevity stars:
Abbie Headon, Chair of the short story category, says: “The stories that really stood out to us were ones with a compelling narrative structure, well-rounded characters, and enough surprises to keep our attention all the way to the closing sentence. Every story took its turn in the spotlight, and all the authors of the stories should be very proud”.
From short term funeral planning (Go Your Own Way by Kimberly Adams) to the accidental death of a hamster (Nothing Compared To You by Annemarie Cancienne): from an athlete with an unfortunate ban (Shopping for England by Kim Clayden) to a family party gone AWOL (Unbound by Jean Ende): from an old people's choir (Care Home Capers by Wendy Hood) to a narcoleptic biscuit lover (Sorry, Delivery by Paula Lennon); from con artists with a twist (Poets Rise Again by Josie Long) to a pig on the run (Hapless by Rita Malik); from a fibbing bird watcher (You Can’t Get There From Here by Jaqueline Saville) to a mishap with a pot of glue at the checkout (Glue by Claire Shaw); from a prejudiced mother in law (Ways With Mince by Kathryn Simmonds) to a pilates problem (Jenny Bean, Calamity Queen by Julia Wood) - all of these stories were as wild and imaginative as they were witty…
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The Longtlist