Originators, the Women’s Prize Trust’s new mentorship and development program for emerging women fiction writers from across the United States, presented by CHANEL, is open for applications until Monday, November 30, 2026, at 6:59 PM (EST).
Emerging, unpublished novelists from across the U.S. are invited to apply by submitting a writing sample of 5,000 words, a synopsis, and information about themselves, for the chance to be one of five finalists chosen to benefit from a bespoke mentorship program designed to support their professional and artistic development.
Here, the inaugural selection panel – Chair A.M. Homes, Virginia Evans, V.V. Ganeshananthan, Tayari Jones and Nicole Krauss – share advice to guide the next step in your creative journey.
Show us the work that you feel best represents your voice and ambition. And remember that you do not have to be young to be a new voice. Originators come in all ages.”
A.M. Homes (Chair)
As you apply, I would say just be very honest about what you’re interested in, who you are, the kind of writer you are, what energizes you about your work and what energizes you about the work you read. I would urge people not to try to give answers that seem like the right answers, and really try to be open about who you are and be attentive to the writing.”
Virginia Evans
Read widely and voraciously to develop one’s own taste and love. I read across genres, and hope you might too.”
V.V. Ganeshananthan
Have confidence in your true authentic voice. Don’t try to write like a writer. Write like YOU.”
Tayari Jones
Always pursue a sense of maximal freedom in your work—it will allow you to keep at this otherwise difficult vocation without losing hope or interest. And allow your readers a sense of freedom, too: trust them to understand and make connections for themselves. Don’t hold onto too tightly to your plans; let the writing take you beyond the horizon of what you started out able to see.”
A.M. Homes
