This week we were giddy with excitement to see the 2025 outing of Helen Lederer's Comedy Women in Print Prize announced, or CWIP as it's become so affectionately known.
Judges include actress Lesley Joseph; comedian actress and writer Kerry Godliman; comedy actress writer; Llewella Gideon; broadcaster Ranvir Singh; writer Susannah Constantine; activist and poet Malaika Kegode; comedian and writer Ingrid Oliver; comedy writer and actress Chizzy Akudolu; MP’s Dawn Butler and Alison Hume; and actress and comedy writer Nina Wadia CWIP Judges 2025, and our very own MD Deborah Maclaren.
What is the Comedy Women in Print Prize?
The Comedy Women in Print Prize is the UK and Ireland’s first prize to shine a light on witty women writers, and this week announced a stellar line-up of judges as submissions opened for the award’s fifth cycle.
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.
The Prize is open for submissions in three categories - Published, Unpublished for emerging writers and NEW this year - is a third category – Self-Published.
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.
Why is a prize for witty women needed?
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.
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.”
Hera Books joins the CWIP team
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”
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”
What do the CWIP Winners Receive?
The 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.
The Published Comedy Novel
The Published Comedy Novel winner receives £3000 from ALCS.
The 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
“Comedy Women in Print has gone from strength to strength, and it’s thrilling to see it back for the fifth iteration. Falmouth University is particularly proud of current MA Comedy Writing student Veronika Dapunt. It’s been brilliant working with her across the degree, and we can’t wait for her novel’s debut next month” - Falmouth University
Penny Pritchard, Head of English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Hertfordshire commented: “We are so pleased to once again be part of CWIP this year. It has enabled us to support Christina Carty, who is about to complete her MA by research thesis, and Zahra Barri who is now a published author and is completing her PhD with us having passed her MA with flying colours. It’s an exciting time and we can’t wait to find out who our next CWIP winner will be.”
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.
LoveReading MD Deborah Maclaren commented: “I'm delighted to be a 2025 Judge and be part of this celebration of wise, worldly, wonderfully sharp, whimsical, warm-hearted women wordsmiths.”
Kerry Godliman is a stand-up comedian and actor on both TV and radio including After Life and Just a Minute: “This prize is a fabulous opportunity for women to see and hear each other's work and create a much needed support network for brilliant female voices.”
Malaika Kegode is an award-winning writer, performer, theatre-maker and creative producer: “I feel women are so rarely celebrated for their wit and ability to find the humour in it all. This prize allows us to lift them up and say thank you for making life a little lighter with their creativity and talent.”
The full biographical information for the 2025 CWIP judges can be found at CWIP Judges 2025.
Key Dates for CWIP 2025
Closing Date: Friday 23rd May 2025
Longlist Announced: Wednesday 16th July 2025
Shortlist Announced: Wednesday 17th September 2025
CWIP Winners Event: Monday 3rd November 2025
For further information on the Comedy Women in Print prize please visit:
#CWIP
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