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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Amazon vs Hachette: readers and authors take sides in publishing dispute

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[ The Guardian | 2014-08-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Returns Fire: The Battle With Hachette and Authors United Continues

Amazon has responded to an open letter by Authors United, signed by 900-plus authors in support of Hachette, with their own open letter, Readers United. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon ebook pricing battle intensifies after 'Authors United' ad

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[ The Guardian | 2014-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon Urging Authors, Others to Email HBG's Pietsch

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Children's Authors at the Fall 2014 Regionals

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Copyright Changes Hit Canadian Publishers Hard

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Engadget | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Bestselling authors take out full-page New York Times ad against Amazon

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[ The Guardian | 2014-08-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Bookseller | 2014-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air August 7, 2014: Judy Melinek

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Wikipedia Publishes First-Ever Transparency Report--And There's A Funny Story About A Monkey

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[ Fast Company | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Game of Thrones' author George R.R. Martin's children's book will be republished this fall

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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-08-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-08-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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