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 National Literacy Trust (NLT) and Bloomsbury Children’s Books are launching a prize to... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Just as attitudes toward homosexuality have shifted greatly in the wider culture, change is coming in Christian churches too, though at a relative snail’s pace. Churches worry today about stemming the tide of young refugees from the pews, and intolerance toward gays is cited as a key issue for... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Nicholas Belardes, author of "A People’s History of the Peculiar A Freak Show of Facts, Random Obsessions & Astounding Truths: A Treasure Trove of Freaky Facts and Strange Stories" (Viva Editions, 9781936740833), will appear on "Coast to Coast AM" on Friday, May 23. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dystopia in teen fiction can be a vehicle to help teenagers explore feminism, according to three... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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On May 21, the social network launched its "Ask the Author" function, a feature that allows readers to submit questions to their favorite authors. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sue Conley and Peggy Smith, authors of "Cowgirl Creamery Cooks" (Chronicle Books, 9781452111636) will appear on NPR’s "Morning Edition" on Friday, May 23. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Changes coming to the Chinese education system are aimed at increasing creative activities and broader curricula in lieu of old-school testing and homework. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Elizabeth Warren, author of "A Fighting Chance" (Metropolitan Books, 9781627790529), will appear on the "Colbert Report" on Monday, May 19. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The former publisher of literary imprint Flamingo, and later Portobello and Granta Books, has... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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There is “no scope” to change the 20% VAT rate on ebooks, the UK government said... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW contributing editor Peter Brantley talks with UC Berkeley law professor Pamela Samuelson, founding member of a new author advocacy group, the Authors Alliance. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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On Wednesday, Sam Kean published one of Slate’s most popular stories of 2014, “Phineas Gage, Neuroscience’s Most Famous Patient.” The piece extends from Sam’s work on his latest book, The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma,... Continue reading at Slate
[ Slate | 2014-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Dari Alexander, author of "The Quick and Clean Diet: Lose the Weight, Feel Great, and Stay Lean for Life" (Globe Pequot/Skirt, 9780762791934), will host a special called “Body and Soul with Dari Alexander" on Fox News on Friday, May 9. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cathy LaGrow, author of "The Waiting: The True Story of a Lost Child, a Lifetime of Longing, and a Miracle for a Mother Who Never Gave Up" (Tyndale Momentum, 9781414391908), will appear on NBC's "Today" on Friday, May 9. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jessye Norman, author of "Stand Up Straight and Sing!" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544003408) will appear on Katie Couric's "Katie" on Wednesday, May 7. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Virgin Soldier author Leslie Thomas has died aged 83. Thomas, who was brought up in a... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2014-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Scribner, which publishes the iconic cookbook "The Joy of Cooking," has gone digital with the title. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lisa Lillien, author of "The Hungry Girl Diet: Big Portions. Big Results. Drop 10 Pounds in 4 Weeks" (St. Martin's Griffin, 9780312676797), will appear on NBC’s "Today Show" on Wednesday, May 7. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How a rooftop ritual turned into a “men’s grilling and lifestyle community” with chapters around the world and a brand new book, "ManBQue!: Meat. Beer. Rock and Roll." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The parties have submitted a proposed pretrial schedule that would likely not have fraud claims against the self-publishing service provider ready for trial until after 2015. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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