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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Independent Bookstore Day 2018: Animals and Authors Inspire Sales

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Zoffness wins £30k Sunday Times Short Story Award

American writer Courtney Zoffness has won the 2018 Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award for her short story "Peanuts aren't nuts".  Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cassell buys Cregan-Reid on 'primate change'

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[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Last chance for UK authors to win European Book Prize before Brexit

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[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Artists Partnership to represent Bookouture authors

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[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild, Epiphany Magazine Partner on New Student Writing Prize

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-04-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Complaint upheld over Times story about girl fostered by Muslims

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[ The Guardian | 2018-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Virago to publish two new collections by Ballet Shoes author Noel Streatfeild

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[ The Guardian | 2018-04-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2018-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Fast Company | 2018-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Digiday | 2018-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors get animated in moving images at the Festival of Books

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[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Guardian | 2018-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Los Angeles Times | 2018-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2018-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Guardian | 2018-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2018-04-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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