Picture a storyteller who weaves tales of identity, love, and cultural crossroads with a touch of Hollywood flair—meet Abdi Nazemian! Born in Tehran in 1976, this Iranian-American author, screenwriter, and producer has carved a unique path in literature and film. From his award-winning debut novel to producing the Oscar-nominated Call Me By Your Name, Nazemian’s work resonates with heart and authenticity, making him a vital voice in contemporary storytelling.
With a knack for blending personal experience with universal themes, Nazemian’s stories explore the complexities of being queer, Iranian, and American. His light yet poignant style invites readers into worlds where characters grapple with secrets, heritage, and self-discovery, all while chasing love and belonging.
The Making of Abdi Nazemian
Born in Tehran during a time of political upheaval, Nazemian fled Iran with his family at age two, embarking on a global journey through Paris, Toronto, and New York. These moves shaped his perspective, infusing his work with a deep sense of displacement and cultural duality. As a child, he found solace in books, comics, and old movies, sparking a lifelong love for storytelling. At Choate Rosemary Hall, a Connecticut boarding school, Nazemian discovered his writer’s voice, inspired by an encouraging English teacher. He later studied English at Columbia University and earned an MBA at UCLA, blending creative passion with business savvy.
Nazemian’s career began in Hollywood, where he worked as a screenwriter and producer. His early gigs included writing for films like The Quiet and serving as Head of Development for Water’s End Productions. But it was his pivot to novels that truly defined his legacy, allowing him to tell deeply personal stories that Hollywood often overlooked.
Abdi Nazemian’s Unforgettable Stories
Nazemian’s debut novel, The Walk-In Closet (2014), is a sharp, heartfelt tale of a woman pretending to be the girlfriend of her gay Persian best friend, navigating the glamorous yet stifling world of a wealthy Iranian family in Los Angeles. The book won the Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Debut Fiction, praised for its vivid portrayal of cultural expectations and hidden identities.
His young adult novel Like a Love Story (2019) transports readers to 1980s New York during the AIDS crisis. Following three teens—a gay Iranian boy, his activist friend, and a fashion-obsessed dreamer—the story is a love letter to queer resilience and chosen families. It earned a Stonewall Honor and a spot on Time Magazine’s Best YA Books of All Time. Only This Beautiful Moment (2023) spans three generations of an Iranian family, weaving tales of queerness and heritage across decades. It clinched both the 2024 Lambda Literary Award and Stonewall Book Award. His 2024 novel, Desert Echoes, continues his exploration of identity and love, cementing his YA prowess.
Nazemian’s style is intimate and cinematic, blending humor, heartache, and cultural nuance. His characters—often queer, immigrant, or both—face societal pressures with courage, making his stories both specific and universally relatable. Whether in novels or screenplays, he champions diverse voices, drawing from his own journey to create authentic narratives.
Why Abdi Nazemian Matters
Nazemian’s work is a beacon for marginalized communities, especially queer Iranian-Americans who rarely see themselves in mainstream media. His novels offer visibility and hope, particularly for young readers navigating identity in a complex world. Despite facing book bans, Nazemian remains steadfast, telling CNN that such challenges break his heart but fuel his mission to uplift queer youth. His Hollywood contributions, including producing Call Me By Your Name, have elevated queer stories on the global stage, earning critical acclaim.
By balancing literary and cinematic storytelling, Nazemian bridges cultures and genres, inspiring a new generation of writers and filmmakers. His commitment to authenticity and emotional truth makes him a standout figure in both YA literature and film.
- Born: 1976, Tehran, Iran
- Key Works: The Walk-In Closet, Like a Love Story, Only This Beautiful Moment, Desert Echoes
- Awards: Lambda Literary Awards (2015, 2024), Stonewall Book Award (2024), Stonewall Honor (2020)
- Notable Film: Producer, Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Snag Like a Love Story or Only This Beautiful Moment and dive into Abdi Nazemian’s vibrant, soul-stirring world of queer identity and cultural pride!