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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Writers believe that the publishing industry still views them largely through a prism of ethnicity, but industry insiders say that there is no pigeonholing based on race. Authors told The Bookseller they are still defined by their racial identity for marketing purposes and receive more success... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The identities of the finalists for the Costa Short Story Award 2014 have been announced, with writers from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland making the shortlist. The shortlist was chosen by a panel of judges including writers Patrick Gale and Victoria Hislop; Richard Beard,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nick Higham meets Kate Saunders who has won the Costa children's book award for Five Children on the Western Front. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2015-01-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A good book is all you ever used to need on the beach but data-use figures show we're still reaching for our cellphones even when we're on holiday. Continue reading at Stuff
[ Stuff | 2015-01-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Madeline McIntosh, who was named president of the Penguin Publishing Group last September, put her own stamp on the division last week. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Booksellers have criticised the Man Booker Prize's change of stance on the print availability of longlisted titles as “disappointing”. However others have applauded the ruling, saying publishers must be able to set publication dates as they wish. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Guidelines for writers have come to light telling them to avoid mention of anything which might offend overseas marketsStringent guidelines from educational publishers, that warn textbook authors off touching on topics from pork to horoscopes to avoid offending students in other countries, have... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Michel Houellebecq has said that "even an inattentive reading" of his latest novel Submission would show it was not Islamophobic, and that he has changed his views on the religion since the 2001 interview in which he called it the most stupid one in the world. The novelist made the comments in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'American Sniper,' the memoir by the former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, ousted Laura Hillenbrand’s 'Unbroken' from the top spot on Apple’s iBooks bestseller list, for the week ended January 12. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Scandals, shake-ups, sticky scholars, and best books—here are the top ten religion stories of 2014 from publishersweekly.com. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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E-publishing solutions provider Semantico has made two changes to its senior management team, with co-founder Richard Padley moving up into the role of chairman and c.e.o., and Rob Virkar-Yates becoming c.o.o. In his new role, Padley will establish an innovation centre within Semantico, which... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cornerstone's William Heinemann imprint has confirmed that its plan to publish Michel Houellebecq's new novel Submission this autumn is "unaltered". The controversial novel, newly released in France by Flammarion, imagines a future France with a Muslim president, and has come into sharpened... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-01-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After suffering two major defeats in its legal battle with Google’s library scanning partners, the Authors Guild this week finally ended the litigation. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nicholas Carlson, author of 'Marissa Mayer and the Fight to Save Yahoo!' (Twelve, 9781455556618), will appear on Bloomberg Radio 'Taking Stock' on Thursday, January 8; and MSNBC's 'The Cycle' on Friday, January 9. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After the attack at 'Charlie Hebdo,' PEN called for renewed efforts to protect "those working on the front lines of free expression.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The 10 most popular stories about graphic novel and comics published on publishersweekly.com in 2014. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Peláez, author of 'The Cuban Table: A Celebration of Food, Flavors, and History,' talks about what might happen to Cuban cuisine after the embargo is lifted. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Trends, milestones, roundups, and recipes—here are PW's top 10 cookbook stories of 2014. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A Monitor book critic recalls seven of his favorite author interviews from 2014. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-12-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Best books, bestsellers, and the most-anticipated new titles—here are the 10 most popular stories on publishersweekly.com in 2014. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-12-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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