Get inspired to start preparing your submission to Discoveries 2026. Learn how to write a great opening that will inspire your readers to keep turning the page and uncover what the judges are looking for from submissions.

This event will be chaired by Abby Parsons, Senior Courses Manager at CBC. The panel includes Discoveries 2026 judge Dorothy Koomson, bestselling author Laura Barnett, Curtis Brown agent Jess Molloy, and her client Rosie Rowell (winner of Discoveries 2025).

Discoveries invites unpublished and unagented women writers in the UK or Ireland to submit the opening of a novel in English – up to 10,000 words – for the chance to take part in a bespoke creative writing course, secure personalised mentorship packages, an offer of literary agent representation and a prize of £5000. Learn more about the writer development programme and prize here.