Chanel and Women's Prize Trust Launched Originators Program
The new initiative offers mentorship and grants to five unpublished female novelists based in the United States.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Women’s Clothing
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Chanel has partnered with the Women's Prize Trust to introduce the Originators program, an annual initiative designed to foster emerging literary talent. The program will provide five selected novelists with dedicated mentorship, professional industry access, and financial support.
Why it matters
The program aims to address barriers to entry for emerging female creatives by providing structural support for manuscript development. By connecting writers with established figures in the industry, the initiative seeks to broaden representation and opportunity within the publishing landscape.
The inaugural edition of the Originators program will select five unpublished novelists from the United States. Selection is determined by a panel of judges following an evaluation of submitted writing samples and project synopses.
The players
Chanel
A luxury fashion house that frequently engages in philanthropic initiatives supporting arts and culture.
Women's Prize Trust
A charitable organization based in the United Kingdom that champions excellence and inclusivity in literature.
Tayari Jones
An award-winning American novelist and educator serving as one of the program's inaugural judges.
Nicole Krauss
A prominent American author and judge for the new literary program.
A.M. Homes
An acclaimed American novelist, short story writer, and essayist acting as a judge for the initiative.
The details
To participate, interested writers must submit a writing sample along with a project synopsis via the official Women's Prize website. A panel of five authors, including A.M. Homes, Virginia Evans, V.V. Ganeshananthan, Tayari Jones, and Nicole Krauss, will lead the selection process.
Timeline
Submissions for the Originators program open on September 30, 2026.
The application period closes on November 30, 2026.
Winners will be announced in spring 2027.
Culture Shift
This program reflects a growing trend of luxury brands investing in long-term artistic incubation to support diverse creative voices. It mirrors the precedent of the Women's Prize for Fiction by formalizing support systems for female authors who have historically faced systemic barriers to entry.
For aspiring writers, the initiative offers a structured pathway to gain industry recognition and financial support for their manuscripts. Readers should note that applications must be submitted through the official portal before the end of November to be considered for the 2027 cohort.
The takeaway
Emerging writers should prepare their manuscripts and synopses well in advance of the November deadline to ensure a competitive submission. Participating in structured mentorship programs can significantly shorten the path to professional publishing by providing critical industry access.
Further reading
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