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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OUP to cite Marlowe as Shakespeare's Henry VI co-author

Oxford University Press is crediting one of Shakespeare's rival contemporaries, Christopher Marlowe, as his co-author in a New Oxford Shakespeare edition it is publishing of the bard's plays this month. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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West Marin's Point Reyes Books Changes Hands

Out of 27 serious letters of interest, Carol Levinson and Steve Costa chose Stephen Sparks and Molly Parent as new owners. The pair will begin running the store in January 2017. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Millions for Williams as Blink inks biography deal

Bonnier Publishing imprint Blink has splashed a seven-figure sum acquiring the rights to a second authorised biography of pop star Robbie Williams. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2016: Bonnier CEO Touts Stories, People

Jacob Dalborg, CEO of Bonnier, was the featured speaker during the CEO panel where he talked about the plans the Swedish publisher has for the future. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth love story to be published next year

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[ The Guardian | 2016-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Most UK authors' annual incomes still well below minimum wage, survey shows

Report finds average earnings for British authors are just £12,500, with legal protections among the worst in EuropeAs publishing prepares for the Christmas rush, with a blizzard of titles due for launch this week on “Super Thursday”, a European commission report has shown that life is less than... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-10-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Teamwork, and Kickstarter, Get Late Author's Book to Shelves

How the husband and daughter of food writer and historian Joy Santlofer helped complete Joy's book, 'Food City,' after she died suddenly in 2013. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2016: At Opening Event, Change—and Politics—Loom Large

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Guadalajara’s Book Fair Takes Wide-Angle Latin American Focus

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-10-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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MPIBA 2016: Kids' Booksellers, Authors Get Primed for Fall

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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C&W signs 'heartbreaking' story by PEN International president

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[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Heartland Fall Forum 2016: Children's Authors Create Magic

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Adds Membership Level for 'Emerging Writers'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Earnings: Sharp Downturn in US Indie Ebook Share

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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‘Jesus Calling’ Author Pens a Second 365-Day Devotional

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vivek Tiwary: Telling Stories Any Way You Like

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-10-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Agents of change

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[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HarperCollins UK and William Morrow buy editor's debut thriller

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[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt: women-centric stories dominate

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[ The Bookseller | 2016-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Snapchat's Big Changes Impact Advertisers and Publishers

Snapchat is a little different today, going back to its roots with a retooling that boosts personal messages and lowers visibility for its publishing partners in Discover.The reconfiguration is seen as a sign that Snapchat doesn't see the need to keep putting Discover in users' faces. A few... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2016-10-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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