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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Retailer insists Authors Guild report that criticised the online giant for contributing to tumbling writers’ incomes used flawed figures, but Guild stands by findingsAmazon has called the conclusions of a recent report into US author earnings flawed, after the Authors Guild suggested that the... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2019-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hardback books benefitted the most from the uptick in trade book revenue, with 28.5-percent growth compared to November 2017. The post American Market StatShot Report: Double-Digit Trade Growth in November appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Andy Williams, formerly head of operations at Thames & Hudson, has joined Bristol University Press as its operations director, a new role at the press. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Recognizing the Brexit deadline that follows March's London Book Fair, the Author of the Day events include three writers from the Continent. The post London Book Fair Names Its 2019 ‘Author of the Day’ Lineup appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Once a ghost town, Facebook Stories has gotten increasingly more attractive to publishers. The post ‘Efficient’: Publishers are recycling their Instagram efforts for Facebook Stories appeared first on Digiday. Continue reading at Digiday
[ Digiday | 2019-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Profile Books has bought the "hilarious and soothing" Bedtime Stories for Worried Liberals by Guardian columnist Stuart Heritage. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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An "exposé" of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn from investigative biographer Tom Bower, Dangerous Hero: Corbyn's Ruthless Plot for Power, will be published by William Collins next month, with the publisher promising an “explosive and important” book. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The new Authors Guild survey, larger than in the past and with input from other writing organizations, brings into question how authors are compensated and how the issue is assessed. The post New, Larger Authors Guild Survey: Falling Incomes for US Writers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2019-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Transworld has acquired Jane Sanderson's latest novel, a "nostalgic and romantic" story called Mix Tape pitched as perfect for fans of David Nicholls and Laura Barnett, in a six-figure deal. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author of the Oscar-nominated film “45 Years” David Constantine has signed a deal for a collection of short stories, The Dressing-up Box, with Comma Press. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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John Burningham, the picture book author and illustrator whose books included Would You Rather and Mr Gumpy’s Motor Car, has died aged 82. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2019-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Burningham, who was married to fellow children’s writer Helen Oxenbury, created beloved picture books including Mr Gumpy’s Outing and Avocado BabyJohn Burningham, the children’s author and illustrator behind some of the 20th century’s most enduring children’s books, has died at the age of 82.The... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2019-01-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Haematologist Eileen Merriman describes herself as a doctor by day, and a writer by night â so she knows about the lack of sleep described in this story. Her young adult fiction novel Invisibly Breathing will be published in March this year. This story, The Singularity of Sleep was named... Continue reading at Stuff
[ Stuff | 2019-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A collection of recent releases celebrates the joy of connecting with a grandparent, remembering the Moon landing, and slowing down to appreciate life, and much more. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2019-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With 2018 in the rearview mirror, we take a look back at some of the biggest stories that captured headlines in the industry last year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2019-01-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Drag queen story hours at libraries have proven popular with kids and adults, but some conservatives have challenged the sessions in courts. Since debuting in San Francisco a little over three years ago, drag queen story hours—where performers read from children’s books to crowds of kids and... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2019-01-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The New York Times publisher was reportedly eager to appease the Chinese government because its operation in China was at stake. In her new book Merchants of Truth, former New York Times executive editor Jill Abramson claims that the news outlet’s publisher drafted a letter “all but apologizing”... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2019-01-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The last year was a great one for literature, and from early signs, 2019 could actually be even better. There's no shortage of anticipated books coming out over the next several months, from debut authors and from those who already have a few books under their belt. Here are 11 authors who look... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2019-01-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New agents and imprints, Northern Ireland’s first Man Booker winner … this year, the books world turned towards inclusivity and a broadening of perspectivesRead John Dugdale’s analysis of the 100 bestselling books of 2018“You brought it on yourself, longest friend. I informed you and informed... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-12-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lionel Shriver's controversial opinion piece on diversity, a publishing start-up offering aspiring writers a £24k salary and Waterstones' shock acquisition of Foyles all feature in the Top 10 most-read stories on The Bookseller website in 2018. But what's at number one? Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-12-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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