Edinburgh-based writer Cherise Saywell won the BBC National Short Story Award for her tender and taut story “Ditto,” which follows a young boy caught in domestic violence in a rural Australian town. Announced at a ceremony on Tuesday evening at BBC Broadcasting House, the prize comes with a £15,000 cash award run in collaboration with the University of Cambridge.
Ceremony Details and Award Background
Saywell received the £15,000 prize at the BBC Broadcasting House event. The competition, now in its 21st year, pairs with the University of Cambridge to raise the profile of the short story form. Judge Di Speirs, chair of the judging panel and a judge since the award’s inception, praised Saywell’s work as assured and true. Speirs evaluated the entries alongside 2022 winner Saba Sams, former shortlisted writers Tahmima Anam and Will Eaves, and Costa best first novel award winner Andrew Michael Hurley.
Did you know? Cherise Saywell was born and raised in Australia before moving to the United Kingdom in 1996. She now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she works for the Royal Literary Fund and has authored two novels, Desert Fish and Twitcher.
Plot of “Ditto” and Inspiration from Rural Australia
Set in an isolated Australian town inspired by Saywell’s childhood surroundings, “Ditto” centers on a young boy nicknamed Ditto as he grapples with what to do when his mother is threatened. The narrative tracks his mounting tension as a neighbor encourages him to use a public telephone box to call the police. Saywell explained that she wanted to explore how children experience violence when they lack the words for it. They feel love, fear, and responsibility simultaneously without names for their circumstances.
All-Female Shortlist and Competing Authors
Saywell triumphed over an all-female shortlist that included Irish writer Caoilinn Hughes for “A Second Opinion,” Lucy Caldwell for “Little Lands,” biographer and novelist Laura Beatty for “Two Minutes to Midnight,” and Merryn Glover for “Burning Bush.” Each shortlisted author receives £600. Their stories are collected in an anthology published by Comma Press and remain available to listen to on BBC Sounds. Dr Yvonne Battle-Felton, academic director for creative writing at the University of Cambridge, described Saywell’s winning piece as a moving reminder of the depth a short story can hold.
Young Writer’s Award Winner Eloise Barrett
Alongside the main prize, the ceremony recognized the winner of the young writer’s award, which is open to writers aged 14 to 18. Eloise Barrett, a 17-year-old sixth former from Birmingham, won the category for “Bloodshed in Rafah,” described as a heartwrenching story depicting the reality of a childhood affected by war.
Common Questions About the BBC National Short Story Award
Who won the BBC National Short Story Award?
Cherise Saywell won the prize for her short story “Ditto.”
What is the prize amount for the winner?
The winning author receives £15,000, while each shortlisted writer takes home £600.
Where can listeners hear the shortlisted stories?
The stories are available to stream on BBC Sounds and were broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
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