Discoveries Prize 2025

[AliceInSwitzerland]

Did anyone else enter the Discoveries Prize this year, run by Curtis Brown Creative and the Women’s Prize? The deadline closed recently, and I thought it might be helpful to start a thread where entrants can share their experiences, thoughts, and maybe offer a bit of mutual support while we wait for the results.

I had a bit of a mad scramble to edit my entry last night but managed to get it in just before the deadline. I’ve entered a couple of times before without much luck, so I decided to write something completely new for this year.
Since the waiting period can feel a bit lonely, I figured it might be nice to hear from others who are also in the same boat. Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

I did! Second time entering. I entered the same work but had changed the chapters about and had removed/added from last year. Probably unlikely to have a different result to last year but you never know!

I entered! Second time for me too - although no joy last year, and know the odds of getting any attention at CB are poor, despite the funds sunk in CBC courses (which is obvs a diff thing).
Had a last min panic and got it in with 3 min to spare(!) But for once haven't been thinking of the all the likely typos and flaws, and instead am pleased with myself for giving it a good go. So I think that if we can all be positively hopeful and take our positive energy into keeping writing until our hopes are dashed on 1 May then its a win! Good luck both😊

How exciting. Good luck to both of you! I’ve also done a few of the short CBC courses. I’m sure there will be a lot of entries for the competition as most of the people who had studied with them will be going in for it too. Fingers crossed the judges will see something in our work 😊

I've only just discovered this forum on MN...I entered (deadline night too!). Never done any CB courses.

Has anyone here been notified of being longlisted? I imagine if they are announcing May 1 publicly, then the longlist will know by now. I entered this year as well, so curious to see if anyone else has been lucky.

Great point! I think you might be right sadly. I got the impression last year that they had asked for photos and bios in advance. Maybe we'll all get emails in the next 24 hours :D You never know (wishful thinking)

I haven’t heard anything either. Even checked my junk mail in the faint hope I’d missed an email 😂 but like you said, you never know.