Graphic novels, debut fiction and autobiographical works were awarded top prizes showcasing the versatility of female talent, as the CWIP judges praised an “excellent year for comic novels by women.” The winners drew from diverse inspirations such as class, coming of age, motherhood and race to slapstick surrealism!
The Awards ceremony took place online hosted from the garden of CWIP founder Helen Lederer, with Tony Slattery on canapé duty! Other celebrity guests included Jilly Cooper, Mary Berry and Judges Chair Marian Keyes.
The Published Comic Novel prize was presented to Nina Stibbe for semi-autobiographical Reasons to Be Cheerful. The runner up was Candice Carty-Williams for Queenie.
Judges chose to jointly award the inaugural prize for Humorous Graphic Novels in association with LDComics to Posy Simmonds for Cassandra Darke and Danny Noble for Was it… Too Much For You.
The Unpublished Comic Novel went to Faye Brann for Tinker, Tailor, Schoolmum, Spy. Ruth Jones received special acknowledgement for her contribution to the world of funny women writers with the first Witty Woman of the Year award. Mavis Cheek won the CWIP Recognition award in honour of her comedic writing and teaching which spans over 30 years.
For more information on the Comedy Women in Print Prize click here!
