Karl Nova author page

Karl Nova biography

Karl Nova is a British hip-hop artist, performance poet, author and educator. He grew up in London and Lagos, Nigeria, and has released music as a rapper alongside his work in poetry. He delivers creative writing and performance poetry workshops in primary and secondary schools, using rap, rhythm and spoken word to introduce pupils to poetic techniques and encourage creative expression.

His debut book, Rhythm and Poetry, was published by Caboodle Books in July 2017, with illustrations by Joseph Witchall. The collection combines poems and short prose pieces drawn from Nova’s experiences and his work with young people in schools. It explores subjects including growing up, friendships, school life, peer pressure and personal identity. In June 2018, Rhythm and Poetry won the CLiPPA (Centre for Literacy in Primary Poetry Award), presented at the National Theatre in London. The judging panel was chaired by poet Grace Nichols.

In December 2020, Nova received the Ruth Rendell Award, presented by the National Literacy Trust and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society. The award recognised his contribution to improving literacy through school visits, writing workshops and online activities for children and young people. His work during 2020 included more than 75 visits to schools, organisations and festivals, delivered in person and virtually.

Nova’s second poetry collection, The Curious Case of Karl Nova, was published by Caboodle Books on 3 May 2021. The autobiographical collection combines poetry and prose to explore his childhood experiences, including moving between the UK and Nigeria, and the influence of those experiences on his writing. The book was subsequently selected for EmpathyLab’s 2022 Read for Empathy collection for readers aged 12-16.