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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Warren Mundine: Fairfax Media to apologise over Indigenous mining story

Fairfax and Warren Mundine have reached an out-of-court settlement over ‘inflammatory allegations’ Mundine says were made against himWarren Mundine says Fairfax Media will apologise to him over an article that claimed a company he had an interest in lobbied for an Indigenous body to drop... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-07-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Training for author events in schools

In regards to the current debate on whether authors should be paid for events in schools, the question, of course, is not should children’s authors and illustrators be paid a fee? Of course they should. In the words of a school librarian, quoted in this week’s Times Educational Supplement: “You... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Diversion Adds Print Program for Self-Pubbed Authors

Diversion division EverAfter Romance has launched a print program for its self-published romance authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jaipur Lit Festival Expands to Colorado, Marginalized Americans

The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival comes to Boulder, Colorado this September and will focus on on Native American, Latino literature and more. The post Jaipur Lit Festival Expands to Colorado, Marginalized Americans appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Top editors at Gawker resign over deleted story

Two of Gawker's top editors resigned Monday after management deleted a story about an executive at Conde Nast who allegedly tried to book an escort. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-07-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author, Publisher Join Forces to Give Away Cookbook Contract

As part of the publication of Kimberly Yorio's 'The Joy of Writing a Great Cookbook,' Yorio and her publisher, Page Street, have launched a contest featuring a cookbook contract with Page Street as the main prize. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Yellow Jersey buys Fifa story

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[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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US: authors ask DOJ to investigate Amazon

Author protest group Authors United is asking authors to sign a letter to the US Justice Department, asking it "to examine Amazon's control of the book market." The letter has been drafted with the help of the Authors Guild. Meanwhile both the American Booksellers Association and the Association... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PP Call for Stories: Leadership, Europe, Asia and Frankfurt

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Group to Fight Bias Against Older Debut Authors

Authors can debut at any age — even after 40, the de facto cut off for young writers — and in the UK a new group is fighting the ageist bias. The post UK Group to Fight Bias Against Older Debut Authors appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Leading authors call for government probe of Amazon's 'damaging' power

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[ The Guardian | 2015-07-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Society of Authors Advises “Always Compare Contracts”

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-07-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors call on the US to investigate Amazon's book business

Just because Apple is on the hook for allegedly anti-competitive book sales doesn't mean that Amazon is above reproach. As promised, groups representing both authors and booksellers are calling on the US Department of Justice to investigate Amazon fo... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2015-07-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors, Booksellers & Agents Call for DoJ to Investigate Amazon

Days before Amazon celebrates its 20th anniversary, Authors United is asking authors to sign a letter to the DoJ for an investigation of Amazon, and ABA submitted a similar request on Monday. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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As 'Watchman' Hits Stands, Authors Reflect on 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-07-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'The Seven Good Years' collects quirky, touching family stories by Israeli writer Etgar Keret

Etgar Keret presents his memoir: a series of raw and witty stories that document seven years of a father-son relationship. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-07-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Virago to publish Aiken’s Armitage stories

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[ The Bookseller | 2015-07-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Changing Landscape: Landlords Helping Indies

Not all landlords want a bookstore so much that they’ll forego market rates, but there are a growing number who do. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Slams 'Inadequate' E-book Royalty

The Authors Guild is asking bestselling authors to push back against the industry's reigning 25% ebook royalty rate "on behalf of all authors, as well as themselves.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-07-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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