American author Joy Williams: ‘The comfy story has got to change’

The novelist and short story writer on her new book about Azrael, the angel of death, her encounters with Raymond Carver and Richard Yates, and why fiction should be uncannyJoy Williams, 80, has written five novels and four story collections and is the recipient of numerous awards. Her most recent book of short stories, Concerning the Future of Souls: 99 Stories of Azrael (Tuskar Rock), was published earlier this year. Her work ranges from the philosophical examination of being, belief and morality to urgent engagements with environmental catastrophe; James Salter wrote of her that she belongs in the company of Céline and Flannery O’Connor. Born in Massachusetts, she now lives in the Sonoran desert.An earlier collection of yours was called 99 Stories of God, and now you’ve moved on to Azrael (the angel of death and transporter of souls) as the subject. What drew you to him?I read in a WS Merwin collection his translation of Hadrian’s deathbed poem to his soul – Animula vagula blandula – so sorrowful and succinct. The soul, a worthy subject. And Azrael has always fascinated me: he was death, but not death exactly. He was more a gorgeous creation of Islam. I picture him as responsible for all the souls of this ensouled Earth. Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2024-10-19 17:00:20 UTC ]
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They turned down Ulysses and Animal Farm, but still shaped 20th‑century literatureAll publishing houses have archives, but for anyone interested in 20th-century literature the archive of Faber & Faber is a fabled treasure house. This is the firm that was, as Toby Faber puts it, “midwife at... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2019-06-20 11:00:08 UTC ]
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Headline snaps up 'powerful and provocative' novel from US author Fowler

Headline has snapped up a "powerful and provocative" novel about warring families from US author Therese Anne Fowler. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-20 04:24:39 UTC ]
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Author Linda Holmes shares her D.C. Dream Day with a four-legged friend

The host of NPR's "Pop Culture Happy Hour" podcast has written her debut novel, the romantic comedy "Evvie Drake Starts Over." Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2019-06-19 22:05:02 UTC ]
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Hachette Children’s signs MG series by debut author L D Lapinski

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[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-19 18:47:30 UTC ]
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'There's no safety net': the plight of the midlist author

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[ The Guardian | 2019-06-19 16:23:43 UTC ]
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Cannes Briefing: Facebook wants to regain trust (and change the topic)

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[ Digiday | 2019-06-19 04:01:44 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-17 18:08:26 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-17 17:22:31 UTC ]
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This Finance Book Just Might Change Your Life

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[ The Huffington Post | 2019-06-17 15:11:03 UTC ]
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Gloria Vanderbilt, American Fashion Icon, Has Died

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[ The Huffington Post | 2019-06-17 14:28:03 UTC ]
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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-06-17 05:50:10 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-17 02:12:28 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-16 23:44:09 UTC ]
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The Strange Story of a Secret Literary Fellowship

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[ New Yorker | 2019-06-16 09:00:00 UTC ]
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The message of these ‘civic sermons’: Have faith in your fellow Americans

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[ The Washington Post | 2019-06-14 12:29:22 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-14 12:23:54 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2019-06-14 07:33:33 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-06-14 04:00:00 UTC ]
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