Stephen Kelman

Stephen Kelman (born 1976) is an English novelist. His debut novel, Pigeon English, was shortlisted for the 2011 Man Booker Prize.

Early life and education Born in 1976, Kelman grew up in Luton on the Marsh Farm council estate, and earned a degree in marketing at the University of Luton.

Career Kelman held a variety of jobs, in a warehouse, in marketing, in local government,

After writing several screenplays which were not picked up and a novel which he did not submit, It was rescued from a literary agency's slush pile and published in 2011 after a bidding war between publishers. It was a commercial success and was shortlisted for the 2011 Man Booker Prize, and was one of the Waterstones 11 in that award's first year. It is based on the killing of Damilola Taylor but its protagonist is an 11-year-old Ghanaian instead of a 10-year-old Nigerian.

Personal life Kelman and his wife, Uzma, married in 2011.