Originators is the Women’s Prize Trust’s mentorship program dedicated to developing emerging women fiction writers across the United States, presented by CHANEL.

Building on the Women’s Prize Trust’s 30-year charitable legacy and a shared mission with CHANEL to champion women creatives, Originators provides mentorship, funding, and industry access for new literary talent – empowering original voices, unlocking potential, boosting confidence, and strengthening skills and knowledge.

The five selected writers receive bespoke mentorship designed to support their professional and artistic development. Each writer is partnered with an established author as a mentor, working together to refine and present their work to the wider literary world. Participants also receive a grant and benefit from a curated program of special guest speakers, publishing experts, industry leaders, and creatives.

Originators is open for applications until November 30, 2026 at 6:59 PM (EST)

To apply to Originators, you will first need to create a writer profile in the submissions portal, telling us a bit about yourself and then sending us the first 5,000 words of your novel and a synopsis of between 500 and 1,000 words.

Novels do not need to be finished before you enter the competition, but you should be able to summarize in your synopsis the main plot of your work-in-progress. Please ensure you have read the Terms and Conditions for Originators before submitting your entry.

The Submissions Portal will accept applications starting from 9:00 AM New York (EST) / 2:00 PM London (GMT) time on September 30, 2026 until 6:59 PM New York (EST) / 11:59 PM London (GMT) time on November 30, 2026.

The submissions portal, where you submit your entry to Originators, defaults to GMT timezone so please ensure that you understand how these times (notably the deadline) translate to your own timezone.

There is no entry fee.

Originators is open to women aged 21 and above residing in the United States and writing in English.

Please check the Terms and Conditions on eligibility.

After completing the submission form, you should be taken to a confirmation page and you will also receive an automated email from originators@womensprize.com notifying you that your submission has been received successfully.

If you do not receive an email straight away please check your junk or spam folder, as it might go into there. If you continue to have issues, please email originators@womensprize.com and we’ll try to help.

Five writers will be selected.

Originators does not require writers to have finished a novel, only to have started one. Entrants are required to submit only the first 5,000 words of their novel and a synopsis. The word limit of 5,000 words is a maximum and you are free to submit less, if you wish.

Originators does not require writers to have finished a novel, only to have started one. Entrants are required to submit only the first 5,000 words of their novel and a synopsis. The word limit of 5,000 words is a maximum and you are free to submit less, if you wish.

Your synopsis should be a summary of the main plot of your novel. Don’t worry if you feel as if this isn’t completely fleshed out, or that it may change as you write more, but the selection panel would like to know what direction your plot and story are currently going in, and how the story may end.

Originators is delivered by The Women’s Prize Trust and presented by CHANEL.

Originators is delivered by the Women’s Prize Trust, a UK-based charity that improves access to and appreciation of women’s writing for all readers, providing an awards platform that champions brilliant women writers and role models while nurturing a supportive, global community of readers and writers.

Originators is presented by CHANEL, reflecting the House’s long-standing commitment to creation through a wide range of initiatives in the fields of dance, cinema, exhibitions, and literature. For CHANEL, literature is a foundational source of inspiration, freedom, and transmission, which needs to be sustained through literary creation and diverse voices. CHANEL supports women writers through the Literary Rendezvous at Rue Cambon and the Nouvel Obs Literary Prize, which celebrates creativity and emerging talent. The House also takes part in the “MOT pour Mots” festival, reissues of works, and editorial projects through 7L Editions. With Originators, CHANEL aims to bring the same ambition, impact and opportunity to the American literary field.

No, all genres and styles written for an adult reader are welcome.

The novel must be aimed at adults rather than young adults or children.

Writers eligible for Originators 2027 may only submit one entry.

No, once you have submitted your material you will be unable to make any changes to it. We advise that you keep a copy of your material saved elsewhere, as you will not be able to access the submitted material after you’ve sent it off.

If you have input information that will prevent us from contacting you or refer to incorrect personal information (e.g. your name) please email originators@womensprize.com to correct this.

Applicants do not need to be a United States permanent resident and/or citizen but must be residing in the United States at the time of applying for, and during the duration of the Originators Program until May 31, 2027.

Please email originators@womensprize.com if you wish to clarify your eligibility.

Yes, the five selected finalists must attend a celebratory event in New York in the spring of 2027.

Yes, for the five finalists selected for the program.

You can email the Originators team with additional questions at originators@womensprize.com

This novel you are applying with must be unpublished. If you have previously self-published other work, you are still eligible to enter.

You are not eligible for Originators if you are represented by a literary agent. If you accept an offer of representation by an agent or accept a publishing deal after you have submitted your work for Originators, then you become ineligible. Please let us know if this is the case, and we will withdraw your application.

If you have previously published a non-fiction book with a traditional, non-academic publisher, then you are not eligible for Originators.

If you have self-published your other writing, or had your writing published in magazines or online, then you are eligible for Originators.

If you have previously published a collection of poetry with a traditional publisher, then you are not eligible for Originators.

If you have had a poem included in an anthology published by a traditional publisher, or in a publication or magazine, you are eligible for Originators.

If you have previously published your other writing in magazines or online, then you are eligible for Originators.

If you have previously published a collection of short stories with a traditional publisher, then you are not eligible for Originators.

If you have previously published a short story or short stories in magazines, anthologies published by traditional publishers, or online, then you are eligible for Originators.

If you have previously published young adult or children’s fiction with a traditional publisher, then you are not eligible for Originators.

If you have previously published young adult or children’s fiction in magazines, anthologies published by traditional publishers, or online, then you are eligible for Originators.

We’re so sorry you’re having trouble with the form. First of all, try refreshing the web page and starting again. If you are still struggling, you can write to us at originators@womensprize.com and we’ll try to help.

Please note that this inbox will be monitored regularly, but you may not get an immediate response.

All applications up to a maximum of 5,000 will be read and gradually sifted down in multiple rounds before a longlist of 20 is reviewed by the judges, who select the five writers they will mentor.

The key dates for Originators 2027 are:

September 30, 2026: Entries open
November 30, 2026: Deadline for entries
Spring 2027: Five finalists are notified
May 2027: Celebratory event in New York