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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Bookshop memories: share your photos and stories

As Foyles closes the doors of its world famous, 111-year-old London store and opens a new one share words and images that stir your memories of independent bookshopsShare your photos and stories via GuardianWitness With Amazon still throwing its considerable weight into the ongoing dispute... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Change Comes to Mysterious Galaxy

Mysterious Galaxy, one of the leading independent bookstores in Southern California, is transforming its Redondo Beach location into a special events business, and relocating its San Diego location. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S Adds InkedIn to Author Portal

Simon & Schuster has launched InkedIn, a new online community for S&S authors that lets them hold one-on-one or group discussions on publishing related topics. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air June 5, 2014: Thom Shea

Thom Shea, author of "Unbreakable: A Navy Seal’s Way of Life" (Clovercroft Publishing, 9781940262376), will appear on the "Sean Hannity Show" on Thursday, June 5. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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One Direction fanfic author inks worldwide book deal

Following the success of Anna Todd's After series, the wildly popular stories starring the boy band will be published at the end of the year Is fan fiction something to be feared? And where did it all begin?Simon & Schuster have inked a deal for worldwide rights to One Direction fanfic.... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2014-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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“A Footprint on the Convention Floor”: BEA’s Author Hub

BookExpo America's uPublishU Author Hub created self-published authors' own 'footprint on the convention floor' for the first time, setting a strong precedent. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2014-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' author Jeff Kinney says he will open a bookstore

Jeff Kinney says he plans to open a bookstore in his town of Plainville, Mass., aimed at breaking even within five years. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2014-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air June 2, 2014: A.J. Baime

A.J. Baime, author of "The Arsenal of Democracy: FDR, Detroit, and an Epic Quest to Arm an America at War" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780547719283), will appear on NPR’s "The Takeaway" on Tuesday, June 3. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-06-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: American History: Brought to You by Snoopy And the Peanuts Gang

Ever since Regnery launched its children’s publishing program three years ago, the publisher has been looking for a way to celebrate American history and American heroes in a way that would engage, inspire, and entertain young readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BuzzFeed Changes Labels on Promoted Content

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[ AdWeek | 2014-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Stan Lee: From Comic Book Legend To Children’s Author

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: New Opportunities for Agents and Authors in Today’s Publishing

A panel of veteran literary agents discussed the ways in which they now approach their jobs in the Thursday BookExpo panel “Beyond Authors: Self-Publishing & the 'New' Agents.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 30, 2014: Jessye Norman and Joseph Hallinan

Jessye Norman, author of "Stand Up Straight and Sing!" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544003408) will appear on "PBS Newshour" on Friday, May 30. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Authors Will Want to Be ‘Binked’

The terminology is fresh because the concept is fresh: “curated, additional content” on an ebook. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: Neil Patrick Harris, Anjelica Huston Speak at Author Breakfast

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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BEA 2014: The Search For Identities in Stories: Michael Coffey

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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More exam boards drop US authors

Two further exam boards have omitted American novels and plays from their lists of proposed set... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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LinkedIn Tells Member Stories in New Campaign

Looking for a new career? LinkedIn thinks you don't need to look any further than the success stories of its members for motivation. The company's latest digital campaign, Picture Yourself, focuses on telling the career tales of select people, including One Kings Lane chief merchandising... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2014-05-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hachette US: Amazon actions 'affect authors' lives'

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[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Authors on the Air May 28, 2014: Michael Waldman

Michael Waldman, author of "The Second Amendment: A Biography" (Simon & Schuster, 9781476747446), will appear on the "Diane Rehm Show" on Thursday, May 29. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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