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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Emma Loffhagen

Cherise Saywell wins national short story award for ‘tender’ tale of a child facing violence – read an extract here

Ditto United States Australia domestic violence Lucy Caldwell Saba Sams BBC Sounds Edinburgh University of Cambridge
Cherise Saywell (credit Julie Tinton Photography) winner of the 2026 BBC short story award
‘Full of vivid descriptions, mounting tensions, and a compelling character’ … Ditto, by Cherise Saywell. Photograph: Julie Tinton Photography

Edinburgh-based writer Cherise Saywell has won this year’s BBC national short story award for a “tender” and “taut” story about a young boy caught in the midst of domestic violence.

Saywell was announced as the winner of the £15,000 award, run in collaboration with the University of Cambridge, at a ceremony held at BBC Broadcasting House on Tuesday evening.

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