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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Lesley Stahl Highlights an Author Who Always Makes Her Laugh

amazon.com It's fun to peruse New York Times chats with famous personalities about their favorite books, even more so when summer beach-reading season is just around the corner. A few weeks ago, for T magazine, actor Viggo Mortensen ran down some very heady choices. Now it is the turn of veteran... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2017-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Here Are the Changes Facebook Introduced for Video Metrics in Page Insights

Facebook Monday announced a host of updates to its video metrics in page insights. The social network said in a Facebook Media blog post that it made the following changes "based on feedback from our publisher partners": Adding aggregate minutes viewed. Simplifying aggregate video views. Making... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2017-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The UK’s Sunday Times / PFD Young Writer Competition Opens to Trade Authors and Indies

A rarity among major prize programs, the Young Writer of the Year Award welcomes the entries of work by self-publishing writers as well as trade authors. The post The UK’s Sunday Times / PFD Young Writer Competition Opens to Trade Authors and Indies appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-published authors encouraged to submit to Sunday Times/PFD Award

Self-published authors are being encouraged to submit to this year’s The Sunday Times/Peters Fraser + Dunlop Young Writer of the Year Award, along with traditionally-published writers. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Small Press Three Rooms Landed William Least Heat-Moon's Debut Novel

Heat-Moon, author of the bestselling 1982 travel memoir 'Blue Highways,' struck a deal with small New York press Three Rooms to publish his first novel. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Telling Trump’s Story to Children: For Book Publishers, It’s Tricky

“A True Book: President Donald Trump” describes Mr. Trump’s real estate career, as well as public perceptions of his opponent during the election, Hillary Clinton. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2017-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Society of Authors Scotland to host writing event with Creative Scotland funding

The Society of Authors in Scotland has been awarded a grant in the latest round of funding from Creative Scotland to host ScotsWrite, a three-day event for authors in Glasgow. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Manchester is 'an indie author hotspot' for Amazon

Amazon has revealed statistics from its Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) programme claiming Manchester as "an indie publishing hotspot". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two novels from William Boyle to No Exit

No Exit Press has acquired two novels from American author William Boyle: Gravesend and A Friend is a Gift You Give Yourself. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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OUP races to seal murderous motoring title by Boxtrolls author

Oxford University Press has signed the “Boxtrolls” creator for an illustrated gift book about a murder of crows who build a car in order to break the world speed record for birds. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors offered $5k to join Amazon's Prime Reading

Amazon US is offering authors $5,000 upfront in lieu of royalties to incorporate their books into its unlimited reading programme for Prime members. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Fiona Watt: the most ubiquitous author you’ve never heard of

Usborne editorial director Fiona Watt is one of the biggest-selling authors since records began and she’s probably the most ubiquitous author you’ve never heard of. But, as she tells Tom Tivnan, that’s exactly how she likes it—and a veil of anonymity has its advantages when it comes to book-fair... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Proposal from 'Hidden Figures' Author Making Rounds

Margot Lee Shetterly, whose 2016 nonfiction bestseller 'Hidden Figures' served as the basis for the unexpected box office smash of the same name, is currently taking meetings with the major publishers. Some insiders guessed that this new work could fetch well into seven figures. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jay Z to bring Trayvon Martin story to the big screen

Rapper and producer Jay Z has partnered with the Weinstein Company to produce a feature film and documentary series about Trayvon Martin, the unarmed African American teenager killed by George Zimmerman in 2012. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BAME writers pave way for change in Stripes' YA anthology

Stories from writers Phoebe Roy, Mary Bello, Aisha Bushby and Yasmin Rahman have been selected from over 100 submissions to be published in A Change Is Gonna Come (Stripes, Little Tiger Group). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dylan Thomas Shortlist of Authors 39 or Younger: UK, US, Australia, Sri Lanka

The Dylan Thomas Prize is unusual for its flexibility. The shortlist includes a book of poetry, two books of short stories, plus novels—two of them debuts. The post Dylan Thomas Shortlist of Authors 39 or Younger: UK, US, Australia, Sri Lanka appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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NEIBA Considers Funding Author Tours

At a March 24 gathering of the New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA), booksellers discussed ways for the organization to support author readings in underserved areas. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Phoebe Roy wins the Sceptre Loves short story prize

Phoebe Roy has won Sceptre's "Sceptre Loves" short story prize for "It Was Summer", a story charting a relationship between two men as it changes with the seasons. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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France Announces More Authors and Program Highlights for its Frankfurt Appearance

Organizers of France's Guest of Honor appearance at the Frankfurt Book Fair release a list of participating authors, as well as program and thematic highlights. The post France Announces More Authors and Program Highlights for its Frankfurt Appearance appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2017-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors show solidarity after Westminster attack

Authors have been reacting to the Westminster terror attack which took place in London yesterday afternoon (22nd March). Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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