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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About 2,000 children’s and YA book authors and their supporters have signed onto a campaign to oppose President Trump's controversial family separation immigration policy under the name "Kid Lit Says No Kids in Cages." The campaign made its appearance Monday on Twitter with a statement signed by... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In the early weeks of January 1942, relying on an old World’s Fair guidebook to find his way, Reinhard Hardegen brought his German U-boat near the mouth of New York Harbor. A kapitänleutnant at the time, the equivalent rank of a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, he was close enough to shore that,... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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National Poetry Day and BBC Local Radio have commissioned 12 poems for each of the BBC regions in England to “celebrate the small changes that really matter to people”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Increasing pressure on sales and costs together with fewer customers on the shopfloor has created a challenging bookselling environment in Germany. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jack Martin, a 23-year-old carpenter from Devon, has won this year’s Big Idea Competition with an idea based on a story he wrote in primary school. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The great year of consolidation continues in the mass-market magazine space. National Enquirer publisher American Media Inc. announced Friday that it has acquired 13 celebrity and teen titles from Bauer Media USA—including In Touch, Life & Style, Closer, J-14, and the recently launched Teen... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2018-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The All Party Parliamentary Writers Group has launched an inquiry into authors’ earnings. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins Children’s Books has revealed the cover of Judith Kerr’s new picture book to celebrate the author’s 95th birthday. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Both BookExpo and BookCon organizers have committed themselves to scheduling panels meant to raise awareness of diversity and multiculturalism in literature. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Now’s the time for “American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin,” Terrance Hayes’ electric, new book. In his five previous poetry collections — “Muscular Music” (1999), “Hip Logic” (2002), “Wind in a Box” (2006), the National Book Award-winning “Lighthead” (2010) and “How to Be Drawn” (2015)... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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William Collins will publish the debut from the former New York Times chief book critic Michiko Kakutani, billed as "a clarion call for verity". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Russian children's publisher Clever Media Group is looking to publish English-language titles in US and Canadian markets this autumn, accelerating its international expansion plans. The post Russia’s Clever Media Group Now Talking of September for North American Launch appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Madison, Wisc.-based bookstore is changing hands. The bookstore's longtime co-owners announced yesterday that two current employees will become owner-managers of the 43-year-old business on July 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The second-newest imprint in Amazon Publishing’s portfolio offers both audio and ebook editions of works brought together in thematic collections. The first was released during BookExpo in New York City. By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson A First Collection Bundles Text and... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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SERIES Taken Mills (Clive Standen) tries to save his cousin from members of an underworld syndicate in a new episode of the series based on the Liam Neeson action franchise. Jennifer Beals and Adam Goldberg also star. 8 p.m. NBC The Crossing The now-canceled science fiction drama, about a group... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Authors Guild has announced an ambitious plan to open at least 14 regional chapters across the U.S. this year that will host variety of programs serving members in their local writing communities. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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An American debut author has secured a £1.5m advance for her "sensational" historical novel, with Hutchinson winning the UK rights after a 12-publisher auction. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Royal Society of Literature’s president Marina Warner has lamented the increasing pressure on authors to “win gold stars for conduct”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The oral tradition has been a part of the human condition for as long as we have been communicating. If you lost your audience after the first hour of “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” you could forget about a return engagement. Authors now sit in comfy studios and need not memorize their stories. But can... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-06-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At BookExpo, actor turned writer Chris Colfer spoke with 'NYTBR' editor Pamela Paul about the paperback release of the sixth and final book in his bestselling The Land of Stories series. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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