Chanel and Women’s Prize Trust Announce ‘Originators’ Program to Support Emerging Writers

by · WWD
The Originators judging panel: A.M. Holmes, Virginia Evans, V.V. Ganeshananthan, Tayari Jones and Nicole Krauss.Courtesy

Chanel is writing the next chapter of its support for emerging female creatives.

The fashion house, in partnership with the Women’s Prize Trust, has announced a new annual initiative for female novelists in the U.S. Called “Originators,” the program will support emerging writers through a mentorship program and industry access. Each writer chosen will also receive a grant to help the development of their manuscript.

Five unpublished novelists will be selected through a public submission process based on a writing sample and synopsis. The inaugural edition will be judged by A.M. Homes, Virginia Evans, V.V. Ganeshananthan, Tayari Jones and Nicole Krauss.

Submissions are open Wednesday through Nov. 30 through the Women’s Prize website. Winners will be announced in spring 2027, along with a celebratory event.

You May Also Like

“Originators” expands Chanel’s literary initiatives, which include the Literary Rendezvous conversation series at Rue Cambon and the Nouvel Obs Literary Prize, awarded annually to a first-time female novelist. The Women’s Prize Trust, a U.K.-based charity, was established to champion female writers through awards, including the Women’s Prize for Fiction and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, and other educational programs.