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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Controversial Africa memoir draws fire for Louise Linton, actress, self-published author and Trump dining companion

Until last week, Louise Linton was a little-known Scottish actress living in California, whose most prominent roles were guest spots in the television shows "CSI: NY" and "Cold Case" and the movies "Intruder" and "Cabin Fever." Now, thanks to a self-published memoir she wrote about her... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-07-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Future Shock author Toffler dies

Amercian writer and futurist Alvin Toffler, the celebrated author of prophetic 1970 bestseller Future Shock (Bantam), has died, aged 87. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Story of 'little boy who becomes a little girl' to Headline

Headline Publishing Group has acquired Laurie Frankel’s This is How it Always Is, a book about "a little boy who becomes a little girl". Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Seven Ways Facebook's Big Algorithm Change Will Affect Marketers And Publishers

The social network is a fact of life for any company that creates content. And the new reality will require lots of adjustment.The day many marketers and publishers have dreaded has arrived: Facebook is changing its algorithm to send less traffic to content sites.Read Full Story Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2016-07-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The winners and losers of Facebook’s news feed change

With its latest algorithm tweak, Facebook said it will favor posts from friends and families over publishers. That's generally bad for publishers, which have been increasingly building their distribution strategies around the social behemoth. Within them, the ones with the most shareable content... Continue reading at Digiday

[ Digiday | 2016-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook’s Latest News Feed Change Sounds Like Bad News for Publishers

The modified algorithm will place higher value on posts by friends, family, and colleagues — at the expense of media brands. The post Facebook’s Latest News Feed Change Sounds Like Bad News for Publishers appeared first on Folio:. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2016-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Social Media Has Changed the Camera—and Photography—Forever

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Facebook news feed changes to rank posts from friends and family above 'liked' pages

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[ Stuff | 2016-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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SoA vows to fight for authors' rights with European partners

The Society of Authors has vowed to continue its fight for authors’ rights by continuing its work in Europe to ensure UK authors' voices are heard in wake of the outcome of the EU referendum. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook changes the News Feed to favor friends and family over publishers

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[ Digiday | 2016-06-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook Is Changing Its News Feed Algorithm to Focus Less on Publishers' Content

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'No immediate changes to HE' minister says

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[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What Makes a Bestseller? Two SMP Authors Say They Know the Formula.

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Keep calm and expect change

Philip Jones reacts to the result of the EU referendum and considers its impact on the publishing industry. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-06-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Katherine Flynn Named Partner At Kneerim & Williams

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Covers story: why are there so many new publishing imprints?

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Spotlight on Jim Hylton, Author of ‘Being at Ease’

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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