Professional Writing alumni’s debut novel shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Prize
02 July 2025
Describing his time at Falmouth as “exceptional” and “deeply insightful”, Professional Writing MA alumnus Foday Mannah has taken those insights to mould his craft and create his debut novel, The Search For Othella Savage.
Published in 2025, Foday’s debut, based on a true story, was named as a “sharp, evocative novel” by The Guardian. Now, the crime novel is shortlisted for this year’s Bloody Scotland Prize, an award that celebrates both new and established crime writers alike.
We caught up with Foday to learn more about the inspiration behind his novel, his advice for aspiring authors, and how his time at Falmouth built a foundation for his writing career.
What can you tell us about your debut novel, The Search For Othella Savage?
The book on the surface is a missing person’s novel that seeks to respect and stay dedicated to the tropes and methodology of the crime/thriller genre. However, it’s slightly different: it focuses on the lives of women from within the Sierra Leonean community living in Scotland. A writer friend of mine described it as “Diaspora Noir,” a classification that I find very appealing and apt!
Inspiration came largely from the harrowing case of a South African nurse; she was abducted from her house and locked in the boot of her car in 2008 in Scotland. I situated this event within the thematic context of the insidious nature of political and religious power, which I think has universal resonance.
How did your time studying Falmouth’s Professional Writing MA help to set you up for a writing career?
My time at Falmouth was exceptional and deeply insightful. Living in Scotland, I had naturally applied to study creative writing at a university within the country. I was however not granted entry, yet Falmouth on the contrary opened their doors to me. The lecturers and the modules were of a very high standard, providing me with invaluable advice and guidance which continues to inform and mould my writing to this day. Much appreciated indeed.
What other writing projects have you been working on?
I have produced a number of short stories and really enjoy the medium. I also still have the project that I started whilst studying at Falmouth. It’s a novel which examines the lives of a disparate collection of characters in the immediate aftermath of Sierra Leone’s civil war which I lived through whilst in high school and university. Hopefully now, I’ll be able to get it published after over a decade!
What advice would you give to someone looking to write and publish a novel?
Write from the heart and just throw words onto paper. I’m not really a fan of strict structure and method and believe that writing should be spontaneous and unfettered. Don’t be too precious about what you produce; enter as many competitions as possible as they provide context and direction. And have fun!
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