Cherise Saywell

"A writer friend advised me never to take myself too seriously, but to take my writing very seriously indeed. I think it was the best advice anyone’s given me"

Cherise Saywell grew up in Casino and studied at the University of Queensland. She worked in television production and academic research in Australia and the UK. Cherise began writing fiction after settling in Scotland and has since won the Royal Society of Literature VS Pritchett Prize (2003) and received third prize at the Asham Awards (2009), the UK's top short story competition for women writers, and features in the collection published by Bloomsbury. Her stories have also been short-listed for the Raymond Carver Prize and have appeared in The London Magazine, New Writing Scotland and Carve Magazine. She has been awarded two Scottish Arts Council Bursaries (2003, 2007). DESERT FISH is her first novel and Cherise, with the benefit of a gold dust mentorship, is now working on her second, TWITCHER (a synopsis is below). She lives with her partner and two young children.

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What genres does Cherise Saywell write in?

She writes literary fiction and short stories, with work published in literary magazines and collections.

What books has Cherise Saywell published?

Her first novel is Desert Fish. She has also published short stories in outlets such as The London Magazine, New Writing Scotland and Carve Magazine, and has work in a Bloomsbury Asham collection. A second novel, titled Twitcher, is reported to be in progress.

Where should I start if I want to read her work?

Begin with the novel Desert Fish for a full-length introduction to her fiction. For shorter pieces, seek her stories in The London Magazine, New Writing Scotland, Carve Magazine or the Asham collection.

Is Desert Fish part of a series?

No. Desert Fish is presented as a standalone novel. A separate second novel is in development.

Has Cherise Saywell received any awards or recognition?

Yes. She won the Royal Society of Literature VS Pritchett Prize (2003), received third prize at the Asham Awards (2009), was short-listed for the Raymond Carver Prize, and received Scottish Arts Council bursaries in 2003 and 2007.