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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Author publishes missing Hong Kong booksellers' title online

The author of a controversial book on China's president, believed to be the reason five booksellers from the Mighty Current publishing house in Hong Kong went missing between October and December 2015, has released the title online. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HK booksellers 'author' attacks China

A Chinese writer tells the BBC he published a provocative book about President Xi Jinping, linked to five missing Hong Kong booksellers, as a challenge to China. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2016-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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International Author Buzz: Leena Krohn, Boualem Sansal, Peter Wohlleben

Sci-fi author Leena Krohn, political fiction writer Boualem Sansal, and nonfiction bestselling author Peter Wohlleben are on the global publishing radar these days in our Author Buzz. The post International Author Buzz: Leena Krohn, Boualem Sansal, Peter Wohlleben appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sourcebooks’ ‘Put Me In the Story’: B&N Puts It In the Stores

Dominique Raccah's popular Put Me In the Story line of personalized kids' books from Sourcebooks is picked up by Barnes & Noble. The post Sourcebooks’ ‘Put Me In the Story’: B&N Puts It In the Stores appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Story Of Mark Zuckerberg's TheFacebook.com, As Told By The Harvard Crimson In 2004

Profiling an Internet phenomenon and its quirky creator, a few months into its existence.Facebook turned 12 today. It's been part of everyday life for long enough that an infinite number of articles have been published about its phenomenal success and the vision of its inventor and CEO, Mark... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2016-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Gets Support in Google Case

Malcolm Gladwell and Ursula K. Le Guin, are among those supporting the Authors Guild’s bid to have the Supreme Court review its case against Google. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors call on governments to resettle more Syrian refugees

Victoria Hislop, Caitlin Moran, Mark Haddon and Tracy Chevalier have called on wealthy governments to resettle more Syrian refugees as Waterstones hits its £1m Buy Books for Syria fundraising target. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA Adult Author Breakfast Speakers Announced

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook's latest News Feed overhaul puts stories you want to see at the top

Facebook knows everything about you, from who your friends and family are to what you like and where you’ve been. It even knows the posts you draft but never publish. Combine all that information with the power of the like button, which signals to Facebook that a post should be shared more... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2016-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Winter Institute 2016: Children's Authors, Presses, Books Share the Stage

While the focus was primarily on the offerings for adult readers among the 625 booksellers attending this year's Winter Institute, children's publishers and authors also took their turns in the limelight at the annual gathering of publishers' reps, authors, and booksellers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-02-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild's Paul Aiken Dead at Age 56

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Kitty-in-Boots: New Beatrix Potter story starring Peter Rabbit found

A story by much-loved children's author Beatrix Potter, written more than a century ago, is to be published for the first time after the rediscovery of the tale which features some of her best-known characters, including Peter Rabbit. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2016-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Seminary student arrested in California en route to Mexico to have sex with child, authorities say

Federal authorities say an Ohio seminary student has been arrested in California on suspicion of intending to travel to Mexico to have sex with a toddler or baby. See more of our top stories on Facebook >> Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement that 23-year-old Joel Wright... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2016-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Changed retail landscape' pushed sales growth in 2015

A revitalised bricks and mortar offer, new routes to readers and healthy exports are among the key elements that combined to create “a new landscape” for the trade in 2015, with publishers saying last year’s market growth is sustainable—despite a drop in digital sales. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Pushkin buys novel by Danish author Nors

Pushkin Press has acquired the UK and Commonwealth rights to a novel by Danish author Dorthe Nors. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At Authors United Event, a Call to Bust Amazon 'Monopoly'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lost Beatrix Potter story becomes bestseller months ahead of publication

The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots, which remained unseen for a century, is already a bestseller – eight months before it reaches shopsBeatrix Potter’s long-lost story about “a well-behaved prime black Kitty cat, who leads rather a double life” has shot to the top of Amazon’s book charts months ahead of... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2016-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PRH to publish 'lost' Beatrix Potter story

Frederick Warne & Co, an imprint of Penguin Random House Children’s, will this September release a previously unpublished children’s story by Beatrix Potter, with new illustrations by Quentin Blake. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bonnier Publishing Fiction changes its name to Bonnier Zaffre

Bonnier Publishing Fiction is changing its name to Bonnier Zaffre, effective immediately. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Winter Institute 11: Authors United Still Wants DoJ Probe of Amazon

“The central problem is still with us,” Authors United founder Douglas Preston said, referring to Amazon, at a Winter Institute session called Authors, Agents, and Booksellers--United for a Fair Marketplace. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-01-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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