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’'

Harper Lee 'Mockingbird' sequel greeted with joy – and skepticism

Harper Lee's second novel 'Go Set a Watchman' was discovered by her attorney. The new novel – a sequel to 'To Kill a Mockingbird' – is due to be published July 14, 2015. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #sequel greeted #harper lee

The Mobile Story for Publishers: Told in Key Stats

Thad McIlroy offers some statistics and key data on smartphones and tablets to help book publishers figure out how to address mobile technology. The post The Mobile Story for Publishers: Told in Key Stats appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |

Changes to HBG Sales Unit; Epstein Named V-P

Dave Epstein has been promoted to v-p of retail sales, and will oversee sales of both adult and children's books to all traditional retail accounts. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #retail sales

Faber buys 'lost' horror from William Gay

Faber and Faber will publish a "lost" horror novel by the late American writer William Gay. Editorial director Angus Cargill bought the UK rights from Clare Conville at Conville & Walsh. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #faber buys #uk rights #clare conville #conville walsh

Harper Lee, author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' to publish second novel

The AP reports that Harper Lee will publish her second novel this summer, a sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird. The book, entitled Go Set a Watchman was completed in... To view the full story, click the title link. Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2015-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harper lee

Granta buys Lacey story collection

Granta Books editor Anne Meadows has acquired a “darkly funny, whip-smart” novel and a collection of short stories from Catherine Lacey, whose debut novel Nobody is Ever Missing will be published - also by Granta - this week. Meadows acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, including Australia New... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #darkly funny #short stories #including australia #wylie agency #5th february #young woman

Terry Wogan pens short story collection

Pan Macmillan is to publish a collection of short stories by television and radio presenter Sir Terry Wogan. Editorial director Trisha Jackson acquired UK & Commonwealth Rights from Luigi Bonomi at LBA. Jackson said: “I’ve been a huge fan of Terry’s for many years and these incredibly... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pan macmillan #short stories #luigi bonomi #huge fan

Changes on Board for NCIBA

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association president Calvin Crosby has resigned his position, now that he has joined McSweeney's as marketing director. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #marketing director

ABA Winter Institute 2015: Authors and Books to Watch For at WI 10

More than 80 writers will participate in the Tuesday and Wednesday evening author receptions (February 10 and 11). Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |

'American Sniper' Rules Bestseller List

As the cultural debate over the film American Sniper continues to swirl, the book on which it is based held the top three spots on the print bestseller list last week, according to Nielsen BookScan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #american sniper #nielsen bookscan

iBooks Bestsellers: ‘American Sniper’ Still Leads

The enhanced ebook of Chris Kyle’s memoir held firm at the top of Apple’s bestseller list for the week ended January 26. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ibooks bestsellers #american sniper #enhanced ebook #chris kyle #bestseller list

Review of the Year: Authors - A broad spectrum

The robust children’s market in 2014 has been the main theme of The Bookseller’s Review of the Year features, and it is driven home in our look at last year’s bestselling authors. The top 50 writers are once again eclipsed by the shadow of the Gruffalo, with the mighty Julia Donaldson taking... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #year features #consecutive year #authors - #broad spectrum #robust children #driven home #bestselling authors

How Alliances Bolster Latin American Indie Publishing

A quintet of editors from Argentina and Mexico discuss the boom and future of independent publishing in Latin America. The post How Alliances Bolster Latin American Indie Publishing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #independent publishing #latin america

So You Want to Be a Famous Self-Published Author?

Veteran author Warren Adler offers a reality check for would-be authors who believe fame and fortune is just a book away. The post So You Want to Be a Famous Self-Published Author? appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #reality check

Amazon Kindle Textbook Creator turns authors into teachers (and vice versa)

While ebooks are everywhere, electronic textbooks never really caught on, despite their potential to bring immersive learning at a lower cost. Amazon is trying to change that with the Kindle Textbook Creator, a free app from its newly formed Kindle ... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #vice versa #electronic textbooks #lower cost #free app

Many authors’ earnings fall below $500pa, survey finds

Research shows median income for all authors is now below $5,000, though ‘hybrid’ authors who use both traditional and self-publishing are doing bestAlmost a third of published authors make less than $500 (£350) a year from their writing, according to a new survey, with around a half of writers... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #survey shows #earnings fall #traditionally published #financial rewards

Biblical Scholar, Author Marcus J. Borg Dies

Marcus J. Borg, author of key books on the historical Jesus and champion of progressive Christianity, has died. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |

Authors on the Air January 22, 2015: Brian Krebs

Brian Krebs, author of 'Spam Nation' (Sourcebooks, 9781402295614), will appear on the 'Diane Rehm Show' on Thursday, January 22. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #brian krebs #spam nation

American Book Critics Pick Finalist for NBCC Awards

The National Book Critics Circle has selected its finalist for this year's annual book prizes, as well as awards for lifetime achievement and reviewing. The post American Book Critics Pick Finalist for NBCC Awards appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-01-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nbcc awards #lifetime achievement