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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The winner of last year’s Financial Times and McKinsey Bracken Bower Prize for young authors has made deals well over six figures across five countries for a book about technology innovation, with William Collins scooping the book in the UK. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a decision handed down late last week, Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York denied a motion by an author requesting that a preliminary injunction be issued to prevent publication a number of books that include the word “cocky” in the title. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-published author Faleena Hopkins asserted her right to the word, but judge calls attempt to stop other authors using it ‘weak’ Romance writers around the world can breathe a sigh of relief after a US court ruled that they can continue to use the adjective “cocky” in their book titles, after... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookCon 2018 drew about 20,000 booklovers to the Javits Center this past weekend. While many attendees were there to see their favorite bestselling YA authors, others wanted to meet a debut novelist named Bill Clinton. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Orion has acquired the story of a 10-year relationship told in 24 hours, Our Life in a Day. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Four sci-fi authors—Charlie Jane Anders, Seth Dickinson, S.L. Huang, and V.E. Schwab—will appear in not one but two panel discussions. Riffing on the panel titles, we asked them how reality, identity, and fearless female characters influence their work. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a court case mounted with the Romance Writers of America, the Authors Guild has prevailed against Faleena Hopkins in the Southern District of New York: Authors can use the word 'cocky' in titles. The post Freedom to Publish Advocacy: Authors Guild Wins ‘CockyGate’ Court Ruling appeared first... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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De Montfort Literature will employ an algorithm ‘to identify career novelists’, and hopes to free its writers from second jobsEven the most revered authors held down day jobs, from TS Eliot’s time at Lloyd’s to Walt Whitman’s stint as a government clerk. Now a “successful hedge fund with a... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Books have been saving Steff Green since she was a child growing up in central Hawke's Bay. Continue reading at Stuff
[ Stuff | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HBO is developing a drama series based on Kristen Roupenian’s upcoming short story collection You Know You Want This. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It's hard enough getting John Dunmore to stop and sit down; getting him to talk about himself is almost impossible. Continue reading at Stuff
[ Stuff | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Emcee Jacqueline Woodson set the tone right away for Friday morning’s children’s book and authors breakfast at BookExpo, explaining, “Through our narratives, we’re trying to change this crazy world.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Original Stories, a new imprint dedicated to short digital fiction and nonfiction, released its first collection, 'The Real Thing,' yesterday. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo kicked off with the traditional adult book breakfast featuring three comedians, two novelists, and one history professor drawing laughs even while explaining how political and social upheavals inspire their writing. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk has described himself as being "close to broke" after an accountant at his literary agency was arrested for embezzling $3.4m (£2.5m) from the company. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Good public policy,' the Association of American Publishers says at BookExpo, includes "good copyright policy.' And the Authors Guild is producing a new, major survey of authors' earnings. The post At BookExpo, a Look at Copyright Issues: ‘It’s the Author Who Suffers’ appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bookouture has struck a deal for two new psychological thrillers with the author of number one ebook bestseller Silent Child. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Paula Hawkins, Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman and Robert Webb are among the authors donating thousands of books to Oxfam in a bid to boost sales in the charity's shops and raise money for its work. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Faber has acquired two titles by André Aciman, the author of Call Me by Your Name, upon which the Academy Award-winning film of the same name was based. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors have waded in to defend W H Smith after the retailer was named the worst shop on the UK high street. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2018-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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