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 Guild Names New Executive Director

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette Launches Author & Agent Portal

The portal will provide self-service, updated information for agents on authors, including confidential sales data, for all titles published by HBG. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air October 8, 2014: Yochi Dreazen

Yochi Dreazen, author of 'The Invisible Front: Love and Loss in an Era of Endless War' (Crown, ISBN 9780385347839), will appear on NPR’s 'Diane Rehm Show' on Thursday, October 9. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Canadian Authors Hit by Hachette-Amazon War

Canadian authors say the Hachette-Amazon fight is hurting U.S. sales, particularly for writers looking to break into the American market. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Frankfurt Book Fair 2014: Spanish Author’s Short Novel Causes Stir

Amid a flurry of seven-figure deals igniting this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair—many for books by first-time American authors—a short Spanish novel has generated buzz, and some hefty advances. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air October 7, 2014: Katha Pollitt

Katha Pollitt, author of 'Pro: Reclaiming Abortion Rights' (Picador, 9780312620547), will appear on NPR’s 'Diane Rehm Show' on Wednesday, October 8. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors ask the government to investigate Amazon

The Authors Guild met with Justice Department officials to ask the agency to launch an investigation into Amazon, expressing concern that the retail giant might be violating antitrust law in its fight with Hachette over ebook terms. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Stories Keep Coming: PW Talks with Lauraine Snelling

Novelist Lauraine Snelling has authored 80 books since she began her writing career in 1982, has more than two million books in print, and has just published the first in her fifth historical series set among Norwegian immigrants to North Dakota, where her mother was born and raised: “Strong... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Americas Authors Guild presses US justice department to get aggressive with Amazon

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[ The Guardian | 2014-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Guild Calls for Antitrust Scrutiny of Amazon

In a message circulated to members, and shared with the public, the Authors Guild today confirmed that it hosted a meeting on August 1 between a group of authors and the Department of Justice, in an effort draw antitrust scrutiny of Amazon's practices. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Howard Books Signs 'Shack' Author to New Deal

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air October 2, 2014: Charles M. Blow and Ron Perlman

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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HC Offering Authors Direct Sales Option, Higher Royalty

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-10-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Shriver wins BBC National Short Story Award

Lionel Shriver has won the BBC National Short Story Award 2014 for her story “Kilifi Creek... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-09-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Omidyar, other billionaires with Hawaii ties, on Forbes list of richest Americans: Slideshow

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[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2014-09-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Brazil in Focus at Göteborg Book Fair, Authors React

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-09-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ellora’s Cave Files Libel Suit Against Dear Author Blog

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air September 29, 2014: Joel Osteen

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors will fire back at Amazon with calls for a government investigation

If you've been following the protracted war between Amazon and Hachette, you know that Amazon's been stymieing sales of certain books by making it impossible to pre-order them, and pushing back delivery of others all over a ebook contract dispute.... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2014-09-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lee Child On Why He Signed with Authors United

The reason the author of the Jack Reacher novels weighs in on Amazon-Hachette dispute has nothing to do with the "protection money" that Amazon is demanding from publishers. Child signed with thriller writer Douglas Preston's Authors United, a group of writers who want to take authors out of... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-09-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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