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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[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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William Shatner explores new worlds of self-publishing and Kickstarter

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[ The Guardian | 2014-11-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Int’l Voices, NBA Authors Star at Miami Book Fair

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-11-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Britain's Next Bestseller signs real-life stories

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[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Angry Robot signs Strange Chemistry author

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[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air November 21, 2014: James Patterson

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ ABC News | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Guardian | 2014-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2014-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Fast Company | 2014-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Digiday | 2014-11-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-11-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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