The Comedy Women in Print Prize announced their 2025 longlists this morning, showcasing a selection of unapologetically bold comic writers to elevate dark times and create humour from despair. The three categories include an 'out of the box' joyous and deliciously self-aware Published Comic Novel Longlist. The Unpublished Novel longlist features 12 so far unsung writers who are unafraid and daring in bringing witty writing into the commercial sector. The Prize also announced their new Self-Published Novel longlist, shining the light on witty women authors who have the audacity and wherewithal to publish themselves. 

What is the Comedy Women in Print Prize?

Founded in by actor, author and stand-up comedian Helen Lederer, the Comedy Women in Print (CWIP) prize launched in 2019 as a literary platform to celebrate and highlight diverse female witty voices in comedy fiction. 

CWIP was established to both celebrate women's wit and allow new writing careers where previously doors had been closed. Since CWIP began over 40 new writers' careers have been launched. 

There are three categories in this year's CWIP prize: the prize for Published Novel, Unpublished Novel and the brand new prize for Self-Published Novel completes the trio of categories. The Published Comedy Novel will receive £3000 from ALCS. The new unpublished novel will be published by Hera Books, with runners-up winning the offer of a place on the MA in Comedy Writing course at Falmouth University, this first of its kind in the country OR a writing mentorship. The Self-Published / Hybrid Published Comedy Novel winner will be celebrated at the winner's event at The Groucho Club and will also receive a package from hybrid book publisher Atmosphere Press. Other runners-up will receive a place on an MA by ‘Research in Creative Writing’ or a writing mentorship from the University of Hertfordshire and a Platinum Package from UK-based package publisher, Fuzzy Flamingo.

2025 Comedy Women in Print Judges

The judges for this year's published category include actor, performer and writer Chizzy Akudolu; TV fashion journalist, writer, style advisor, television presenter and author Susannah Constantine; stand-up comedian and actor Kerry Godliman; fiction author and Independent columnist Chris Manby; actor, comedian and writer Ingrid Oliver; Ranvir Singh, award-winning presenter of ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Real Stories.

We're thrilled that our very own MD Deborah Maclaren will be joining the judges for the Self-Published category alongside actor, comedian and writer Llewella Gideon; writer, MP and disability rights activist Alison Hume; stage and screen actor Lesley Joseph; and Silvia Saunders, whose debut novel, Homesick, was winner of the CWIP Unpublished Prize in 2023.

This year's Unpublished judges include Dawn Butler MP (formerly Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement); actor, former Blue Peter presenter and novelist Janet Ellis; arts journalist Liz Hoggard; award-winning writer, performer, theatre-maker and creative producer Malaika Kegode; Co-Founder and Executive Publisher of Hera Books Keshini Naidoo; and historical novelist Jennifer Young, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Design and Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Falmouth University.

The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 longlist for the Published Novel 

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis 

Beautyland by Marie Helen Bertino 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach 

The Husbands by Holly Gramazio 

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey 

Mixed by Tama Hodes 

My Favourite Mistake by Marian Keyes 

The Revenge Club by Kathy Lette 

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay 

Wife by Charlotte Mendelson 

Weirdo by Sara Pascoe 

Don’t Make Me Laugh by Julia Raeside 

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe 

Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One by Kristen Arnett 

The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 longlist for the Unpublished Novel

Music for the Samosa Generation by Natalie Willbe

On Wednesdays We Wear Black by Ceri Gould Thomas

The Way of Nellie May by Rachel Sambrooks

The Secrets of a Honey Trapper by Ali Grugeon

When Death is the Day Job by Deborah Rayner

Checking Out by Raedin O'Connor

Everything She Wants by Hannah Verdier

Generation Ex by Dara Lutes

Phantasm by Dara Annie Roden 

Jailbirds and Seaside Pigeons by Jenny Howard

Some News by Jeananne Craig

The Accidental Agony Aunt by Caroline Davies

The Comedy Women in Print Prize 2025 longlist for the Self-Published Novel

A Perfect Year by Ruth Foster

Butterflies by Michelle Smart

Finding Monsieur Right by Chloe Rayban

Game of Trust by Yvonne Vincent

It Started With a Shoe by Sarah Scally

Crime & Prejudice by Julia Miller

Mapton Roars! by Sam Maxfield

Octopus by Pony Louder

The Postcard in the Window by Sarah Scally

The Stand-Up Mam by Kay Wilson

The Other Side of Yes by Kerrie Noor

Whatever You Want by Lesley Bown

Key Comedy Women in Print Prize Dates

Shortlist Announced: Wednesday 17th September 2025.

Shortlisted Authors CWIP Salon: Tuesday 14th October 2025 at The Groucho Club – an evening of ‘wit lit’ with Helen Lederer, celebrity comedians and published authors. 

CWIP Winners Event: Monday 3rd November 2025 at The Groucho Club with celebrities, industry influencers, media players and authors. 

@CWIPprize