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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Authors and Illustrators to Meet at CI3: Children's Institute 2015

Below is a list of the most recent books by writers attending the author reception, the Scholastic Meet & Treat party, and/or the opening reception with members of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, cosponsored by PW. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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William Heinemann signs two by Baume

William Heinemann has acquired two books by Sara Baume. Publisher Jason Arthur bought UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, to Spill Simmer Falter Wither and an untitled second novel from independent Irish publisher Tramp Press via Lucy Luck of Aitken Alexander Associates. Spill Simmer... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sara baume #william heinemann #lucy luck #windmill paperback


TV review: Netflix's dark 'Daredevil' takes the superhero origin story to new heights

Daredevil can't see you, but he knows you're coming. His new show is so good, it might catch comic book fans by surprise. Continue reading at Baltimore Sun

[ Baltimore Sun | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Removing import restrictions would impact Australian authors, say publishers

Local book industry argue changes proposed in Harper Review will impact their bottom line and may see less long-term investment in Australian writersAustralian publishers would be less likely to support, nurture and develop talented writers like Tasmania’s Richard Flanagan if the Australian... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bottom line #richard flanagan #import restrictions


Authors on the Air April 7, 2015: Dan Buettner

Dan Buettner, author of 'The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People' (National Geographic, 9781426211928), will appear on NBC's 'Nightly News' on Tuesday, April 7. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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GCP Signs Indie Author Wild to 7-Figure Deal

In the third major deal for an indie author in the run-up to next week's London Book Fair, Grand Central's Forever imprint has inked Meredith Wild to a five-book, seven-figure deal. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cookbook Turned Memoir Stirs Up Family Stories in 'Three Many Cooks'

When the team behind the popular blog Three Many Cooks submitted their cookbook proposal to Ballantine, executive editor Pamela Cannon had a different vision for the project, and a collaborative food memoir was born. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air April 6, 2015: Gene Baur and Lorraine Bracco

Gene Baur, author of 'Living the Farm Sanctuary Life' (Rodale, 9781623364892) will appear on 'The Daily Show' on Monday, April 6. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Twitter and Hachette partner on author videos

Hachette UK is working with Twitter to launch a series of videos featuring its authors talking about what they are writing live from their location using Twitter’s new Periscope app. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

Magazine media continues to do what we have done for hundreds of years. The post The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same appeared first on Folio:. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Author School to launch during LBF

Writer Abiola Bello and publicist Helen Lewis will launch The Author School, a “creative and innovative new community for aspiring, self-published and published authors”, during London Book Fair. The school will involve classes, workshops, one-to-one tutorials and online courses, with the first... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors sign protest letter against baseline tests

Authors including Philip Pullman, Michael Rosen, John Dougherty, and Alan Gibbons have signed a letter saying baseline assessment tests should not be brought in to primary schools. The tests, to be introduced in September 2015, will take place in the first few weeks after a child starts in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bologna 2015: Authors in the Aisles and on the Town

Meg Cabot, Sophie Kinsella, Malorie Blackman, and Dav Pilkey were among the authors celebrating new books and meeting international publishers in Bologna. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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SuperAwesome: 'authorship is changing'

Publishers should realise that the idea that authors are writers coming up with stories in their garden shed is no longer true, says Dylan Collins, c.e.o. of SuperAwesome, a digital company that bills itself as the “biggest kids’ marketing platform in the world”. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK Authors Force Clean Reader App to Stop Some Book Sales

Creators of the Clean Reader app will no longer sell books after receiving complaints from authors that their works were being altered without permission. The post UK Authors Force Clean Reader App to Stop Some Book Sales appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bonnier in Talks to Buy Men's Fitness From American Media

Bonnier Corporation, publisher of dozens of special-interest publications including Saveur and Popular Science, is in talks to buy Men's Fitness magazine from American Media Inc., according to two people with knowledge of the conversations.One person said the expected sale price is "just shy of... Continue reading at Advertising Age

[ Advertising Age | 2015-03-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Survey Says Median Author Advance in UK under £6,600

The Bookseller reports that the median advance for traditionally published UK authors is less than 6,600 pounds, based on the early results of a new survey The post Survey Says Median Author Advance in UK under £6,600 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air March 27, 2015: Annie Cohen-Solal

Annie Cohen-Solal, author of 'Mark Rothko: Toward the Light in the Chapel' (Yale University Press, 9780300182040) will appear on PBS's 'Charlie Rose' on Friday. March 27. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Median author advance under £6,600

The median advance for traditionally published authors is “well under £6,600”, according to early findings of a survey into authors’ attitudes towards their publisher. The survey also found that bigger publishers pay more. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Politicians vie for author votes at lively hustings

Copyright, fair contracts for authors, and libraries were among the points addressed by politicians at a hustings hosted by the Society of Authors (SoA) and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) last night (24th March). The event saw writers given the opportunity to question... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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