The Women’s Prize Trust’s mission is to change the world through books by women, opening pathways into reading and writing for the storytellers and booklovers of tomorrow. Like Writing West Midlands, which runs Birmingham Literature Festival, the Women’s Prize Team want to support regional writers and to help create a community of women writers.

The Discoveries programme invites unpublished women writers from the UK or Ireland to submit the opening of a novel in English, of up to 10,000 words. Unlike most initiatives of its kind, writers are not required to have finished their novel, and Discoveries is completely free to enter. Since its launch over 12 longlisted writers have gone on to gain literary representation, including writers from the Midlands.

This event brings together author and former Women’s Prize Discoveries judge Ayisha Malik (The Movement), Curtis Brown literary agent Viola Hayden and debut author Kate Foster (The Maiden).

Let’s start our Midlands collective of women writers right now.. Join us to learn more about entering the publishing industry, getting your work out there and the opportunities offered by the Women’s Prize Trust.