Black Bear to Rep Open Water Author Caleb Azumah Nelson

Black Bear has signed author and filmmaker Caleb Azumah Nelson, known for his debut novel Open Water, which the BBC is adapting, for representation.

Nelson is set to write and direct the upcoming BBC adaptation of Open Water. His second novel, Small Worlds, was recently optioned for the screen, and he is set to direct that as well. He previously directed a short film adaptation of his story Pray for B-Side Productions and BBC Films.

Nelson’s Open Water received a slew of awards after debuting in 2021, including the debut fiction book of the year at the British Book Awards in 2022. Small Worlds was long listed for the Chalk Prize and won the Dylan Thomas Prize.

In 2020, Nelson was shortlisted for the BBC National Short Story Award for Pray. The short film adaptation, starring David Jonsson (Industry), had its world premiere at the Locarno Film Festival.

In 2021, Nelson was named one of The Observer’s ten best debut novelists and was honored as a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 recipient. In April 2024, he was elected for the inaugural Sunday Times Young Power List.