Why is the Women's Prize still needed?

Join Louise Minchin and Irenosen Okojie as they consider ‘Why is the Women’s Prize still needed?’ as the Women’s Prize for Fiction celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The book world is populated with women – writers, readers, publishers, booksellers, and so on – yet the gender pay gap for women writers sits at 37% in comparison to the national average of 11%. Listen to Louise and Irenosen explore the issues of remuneration, consumer visibility and perception of women’s writing, and the role of books and creativity in striving towards gender equity, with the opportunity to pose questions.

Broadcaster, writer and triathlete Louise Minchin chaired the Women’s Prize for Fiction judging panel in 2023. Formerly one of the main presenters on BBC Breakfast for a decade, she recently published her debut novel, the gripping crime thriller Isolation Island. Louise will be joined by award-winning author and director and founder of Black to the Future festival, Irenosen Okojie. Irenosen sat alongside Louise on the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction judging panel. Vice Chair of the Royal Society of Literature, she was awarded an MBE For Services to Literature in 2021. Her new novel, Curandera, is out now.

Chester Literature Festival is partnering with the Women’s Prize Trust to present a special day of events at Storyhouse on Sunday, 10 November. Marking the 30th anniversary of the renowned Women’s Prize for Fiction — celebrated as one of the world’s most prestigious honors for female creativity — the day will feature a series of panels, talks, and workshops under the banner of ‘Women’s Prize Day’.