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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First-time cookbook authors Kimberley Hasselbrink and Anya Kassoff describe what “vibrant” food means to them and suggest perfect height-of-summer meals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In his new book, 'Lincoln's Bishop,' former New York Times religion correspondent Gustav Niebuhr tells the compelling tale of Henry Benjamin Whipple, who spoke out loudly against injustice toward Native Americans during the 19th century. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The typical income for a professional author in 2013 was just £11,000, more than £5,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Monitor contributor Danny Heitman enjoys reading a children's book series about a wealthy elephant named Uncle to his son. What's surprising about that? His son is a teenager. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-07-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Business author says bad manners can tank your careerBusiness author Richie Frieman has studied fine arts at the University of Maryland, launched a music-focused Internet magazine, written children's books, invented a device that keeps shirt collars crisp and created a pop culture-inspired... Continue reading at Baltimore Sun
[ Baltimore Sun | 2014-07-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hard on the heels of his 2014 Kate Greenaway award, Jon Klassen has picked up a second UK... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Novelist Chris Cleave has called on his fellow authors to exercise a "profound attitude... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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One one side are established authors including Stephen King, John Grisham and James Patterson. On the other side are self-published authors. They're taking sides in the weeks-old dispute between Amazon.com Inc. and Hachette Book Group. King, Grisham and Patterson have signed their names to a... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal
[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2014-07-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Myers, author of such books as 'Hoops' and 'Monster,' recently published an essay lamenting what he saw as a lack of diverse characters in children's literature. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-07-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The book world is mourning Matt Richell, killed yesterday in a freak surfing accident in Sydney. Continue reading at The Sydney Morning Herald
[ The Sydney Morning Herald | 2014-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The book world is mourning Matt Richell, killed yesterday in a freak surfing accident in Sydney. Continue reading at The Sydney Morning Herald
[ The Sydney Morning Herald | 2014-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two weeks ago bestselling author Douglas Preston began quietly circulating a letter to other writers that encourages readers to write to Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A second petition about the Amazon Hachette dispute has been launched - this time a pro-Amazon... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More than a thousand readers have signed a petition in support of Amazon in its dispute with Hachette. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In spite of news stories citing a rift between Tyndale House Publishers and controversial pastor Mark Driscoll, the publisher stated on Tuesday that the relationship is still intact. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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William Heinemann has acquired a non-fiction title about “desk killers” by Dan... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It's been rumored for years and now coming to pass: Neil Gaiman's beloved fantasy novel American Gods has a network ready to go all-in on a long-rumored TV adaptation. HBO took a pass on adapting the complex book last month; now the show is headed to independent premium network Starz, which has... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2014-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ron Capps, author of "Seriously Not All Right: Five Wars in Ten Years, A Memoir" (Schaffner Press, 9781936182589) will appear on PBS's "Tavis Smiley" on Monday, June 30. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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And whoever comes out on top, you can bet the poor old writer won't be any better offA few weeks ago, we published a book called Denglisch for Better Knowers, a (hopefully) humorous book about how the English language could be improved by taking new words and concepts from German. Like "ear... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2014-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors Jacqueline Wilson and Alan Gibbons have spoken out in defence of libraries as part of a... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-06-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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