What started as a 15-page short story for a class assignment has turned into a 200+ page labor of love. “Call Me Camella” follows two unlikely friends on a trip across the United States in 1963: Vito Russoli, a veteran and the son of Italian immigrants now working as a driver, and Camella Lawrence, a young Black jazz singer, estranged from her parents.

Their trip takes place during the height of the civil rights movement, intertwined with key moments from their pasts, providing additional insight into their lives. The story continues after their drive is concluded to show how each of their lives was changed by their short five-day journey with a stranger.

The first draft of “Call Me Camella” is finished and is currently in the editing and revision process. To be notified when it is released, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media. There is a form below for our newsletter, and links to our social media is at the bottom of this page.