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 ]
News tagged with: #uncannyjoy williams #story collections #numerous awards #published earlier #work ranges #philosophical examination #urgent engagements #environmental catastrophe #sonoran desert #earlier collection #ve moved #deathbed poem #gorgeous creation #ensouled earth #recent book

Other Publishing stories related to: 'American author Joy Williams: ‘The comfy story has got to change’'


Spirituality and Religion Update: Meet the Authors

This rich category embraces a plethora of topics, as evidenced by the writers of five new books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #religion update


Wimbledon BookFest to pay authors

Wimbledon BookFest is to start paying a fee of £150 each to all participating authors. This will be the first year the 10-day book festival has paid authors for appearing. Previously it only paid chairs of events. The announcement follows a story in The Bookseller in which a number of authors,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pay authors #participating authors #wimbledon bookfest #start paying #linda grant


The VéroK Literary Agency on Kids Book Biz Changes

The VéroK Agency represents children’s book publishers across Europe and the English-language markets and is seeing changes in who buys what where. The post The VéroK Literary Agency on Kids Book Biz Changes appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishers #english-language markets


Bestselling author Alice Hoffman's children's book, 'Nightbird,' receives mostly positive reviews

Hoffman's book tells the story of a girl whose family had a curse placed upon them and whose town is fearful of what they believe to be a monster living in their midst. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-03-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book tells #positive reviews


Authors demand festival appearance fees

Authors should be paid for festival appearances, writers have told The Bookseller, because “authors are professional and deserve professional treatment”. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Robert Kirkman explains why there's room for new stories in The Walking Dead's universe

Skybound Entertainment has had success with The Walking Dead across all mediums. Robert Kirkman’s comic book company has expanded into television with the AMC series, which is now the most popular show in the world. They’ve also enjoyed the same level of critical and commercial success through... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2015-03-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #skybound entertainment #robert kirkman #commercial success #walking dead #popular show


Elizabeth McCracken Wins 2014 Story Prize

McCracken won the $20,000 prize for 'Thunderstruck,' her first short story collection in more than 20 years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Bestselling author Erik Larson garners rave reviews for his upcoming book 'Dead Wake'

'Wake' centers on the sinking of the British ship the Lusitania in 1915. The book will be released on March 10. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #upcoming book


'J.K. Rowling Bibliography' reveals behind-the-scenes 'Harry Potter' stories

'Bibliography,' which will be released in the US in April, includes details about alternate titles considered and also tells readers which 'Harry Potter' book Rowling got 'sick' of reading after many edits. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harry potter #includes details #tells readers


Authors call for PLR to be applied to remote e-loans

Authors have called for Public Lending Right (PLR) to be extended to all ebook loans from libraries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #authors call #public lending #ebook loans


Divergent author Veronica Roth is writing TWO new books

Newsflash! Divergent fans, sit down, take a deep breath and get ready to read Veronica Roth’s new duologyAttention all you Divergent fans! Put down your books, pick up your calendars and rejoice at some really exciting news.It has been announced that Veronica Roth, author of the bestselling... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #veronica roth #two-book series


Women dominate Sunday Times Short Story Award shortlist

Five women have made the shortlist for the £30,000 Sunday Times EFG Short Story Award. British newcomer Rebecca F John, whose first book will be published by Parthian this year, has been nominated for her story "The Glove Maker's Numbers", about a woman grieving over her brother, alongside... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sheltered woman


True story of survival to Pan Mac

Pan Macmillan has acquired the account of fisherman Salvador Alvarenga who survived 14 months at sea, written by journalist Jonathan Franklin. UK and Commonwealth rights in the book, titled 438 Days: A Fisherman's True Survival at Sea, were acquired from Annabel Merullo at PFD. The book tells... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book tells #true story #pan mac #pan macmillan #annabel merullo


Coram Williams Named Pearson CFO

Coram Williams, global and U.S. CFO of Penguin Random House, has been promoted to CFO of PRH parent company Pearson, effective July 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Unnamed Press Creating Home For Contemporary Authors

Unnamed Press, a new publishing house based in Los Angeles, started out with a completely different name. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #contemporary authors


'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' stays strong on bestseller lists (+video)

'Tidying Up,' which gives readers a one-time solution to de-cluttering their home, has been a mainstay on bestseller lists since its publication. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #life-changing magic #stays strong #one-time solution #bestseller lists


'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' stays strong on bestseller lists

'Tidying Up,' which gives readers a one-time solution to de-cluttering their home, has been a mainstay on bestseller lists since its publication. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #life-changing magic #stays strong #bestseller lists #one-time solution


Edinburgh debates author earnings

Low advances, deep discounting and the problem of author earnings were on the agenda at a Trade Question Time discussion panel at the Scottish Book Trade conference in Edinburgh yesterday (24th February).  A return to a limited Net Book Agreement and a cultural change in publishers' attitudes... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #author earnings #cultural change


Indies First Goes North: Canadian Authors for Indies Day is May 2

Nearly 100 independent bookstores and 270 authors throughout Canada have signed up for the first annual Canadian Authors for Indies Day on May 2. The post Indies First Goes North: Canadian Authors for Indies Day is May 2 appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #canadian authors #indies day


First-Ever Canadian Authors for Indies Day Set for May

After hearing about the Indies First campaign in the U.S., Canadian author Janie Chang decided a similar initiative should be brought to Canada. The result is Canadian Authors for Indies Day, which will take place May 2, 2015. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #indies day #canadian authors