Viking snaps up second novel by Azumah Nelson

Viking has snapped up a second novel by Waterstones Book of the Year shortlistee Caleb Azumah Nelson.

Isabel Wall, editorial director, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to Small Worlds following an exclusive submission from Seren Adams at United Agents. US rights were acquired by Katie Raissian at Grove Atlantic. It will publish in hardback, e-book and audio in May 2023.

Azumah Nelson's debut Open Water (Viking) about two Black British artists falling in and out of love in south-east London, was published in February this year and has been reprinted eight times since. The book was shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year, and longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Award and the Gordon Burn Prize. Rights sold in 10 territories and TV rights have been optioned.

His new novel, Small Worlds, will follow Stephen, a young British-Ghanaian musician from south-east London, over the course of three summers, exploring ideas of faith and belonging, fathers and sons, friendship and first love. The publisher said: "Central to the novel is Azumah Nelson’s idea that 'A world can be two people, occupying a space where they don't have to explain. Where they can feel beautiful. Where they might feel free'."

Wall said: "The response to Open Water has been nothing short of extraordinary – firmly establishing Caleb as one of Britain’s most exciting and ambitious new writers. His gorgeous, soulful writing is a rare joy. Caleb has many devoted fans who will love this rich and expansive second novel as much as I do, and I can’t wait to share it with readers."

Azumah Nelson said: "The reception for Open Water has been incredible — I'm so grateful to all who have supported. I'm excited to be working with Isabel and the wonderful team at Viking once more to bring Small Worlds into the world and can't wait for readers to meet Stephen and the community which has made him. In many ways, this book is about the community I come from, the making of me."