British-Ghanaian writer and photographer Caleb Azumah Nelson lives in Lewisham, in south-east London. Shortlisted for the Palm Photo Prize in 2019 and the BBC National Short Story Prize in 2020, and already published in The White Review and Granta, his debut novel appeared in 2021. “Open Water” movingly captures the coming together of two young Black creatives in London, falling in love while enduring systemic racism. Amid many accolades, it was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and Waterstones Book of the Year; won praise from Benjamin Zephaniah and Bernardine Evaristo; and was an editor’s choice in the New York Times: “an unforgettable debut ... it’s Sally Rooney meets Michaela Coel meets Teju Cole.” And, to cap it off, Caleb directed a trailer for the book and compiled a Spotify playlist (including Curtis Mayfield, Erykah Badu, and Lizzo, since you ask). For WePresent’s Literally series, he penned a beautiful and honest story about frustrated love, lost keys and Al Green.
Stories with Caleb Azumah Nelson