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 ]
News tagged with: #uncannyjoy williams #story collections #numerous awards #published earlier #work ranges #philosophical examination #urgent engagements #environmental catastrophe #sonoran desert #earlier collection #ve moved #deathbed poem #gorgeous creation #ensouled earth #recent book

Other Publishing stories related to: 'American author Joy Williams: ‘The comfy story has got to change’'


Authors on the Air May 2, 2014: Anne Geddes

Anne Geddes, author of "Anne Geddes Little Blessings" (Sourcebooks, 9781402298189), will appear on "CBS This Morning" on Monday, May 5. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Authors on the Air May 1, 2014: Jennifer Esposito

Jennifer Esposito, author of "Jennifer’s Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease—What Doctors Don’t Tell You and How You Can Learn to Live Again" (Da Capo Lifelong, 9780738217109) will appear on Katie Couric’s "Katie" on Thursday, May 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-05-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #katie couric


F+W Media Changes Company Name

F+W Media is rebranding itself and will change the company’s name to F+W, a Content + eCommerce Company. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Changes Coming to Frankfurt Book Fair

The biggest change, set to take effect in 2015, is that English-language and American exhibitors will move from their longtime home in Hall 8.0, closer to “the heart of the action” in Halls 6.0 and 4.0. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #biggest change


Staffing Changes at UC Press

The University of California Press has announced changes to three primary positions--editorial director, marketing director, and deputy director--resulting in promotions for long-time staff members. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #california press #marketing director


Authors on the Air April 29, 2014: Max Brooks

Max Brooks, author of "The Harlem Hellfighters" (Broadway Books, 9780307464972), will appear on "Conan" on TBS on Tuesday, April 29. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #max brooks #harlem hellfighters #broadway books


William Heinemann buys new Duhigg

William Heinemann is to publish a book looking at productivity and why “some people seem to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #william heinemann


Authors on the Air April 25, 2014: Annabelle Gurwitch, Norman Van Aken, Ron Capps

Annabelle Gurwitch, author of "I See You Made an Effort: Compliments, Indignities, and Survival Stories from the Edge of 50" (Blue Rider, 9780399166181), will appear on "Real Time with Bill Maher" on Friday, April 25. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #annabelle gurwitch #ron capps #survival stories #blue rider #real time #bill maher


Hodder acquires Tad Williams trilogy

Hodder and Stoughton has acquired three books that are sequels to a series “which inspired... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


MacAdam Cage Authors Look to Resolve E-book Dispute

Despite complaints from former MacAdam Cage authors about ebook royalties and statements, Mark Pearce, publisher of MP Publishing, the ebook distributor that controls their ebook rights, claims all royalties have been paid and all statements are up to date. Pearce is urging former MacAdam Cage... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ebook royalties #mp publishing #ebook distributor #ebook rights


Authors on the Air April 23, 2014: Jason Padgett

Jason Padgett, author of "Struck by Genius: How a Brain Injury Made Me a Medical Marvel" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 9780544045606) will appear on "CBS This Morning" on Thursday, April 24. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Authors on the Air April 21, 2014: Douglas Whynott

Douglas Whynott, author of "The Sugar Season: A Year in the Life of Maple Syrup—and One Family’s Quest for the Sweetest Harvest" (Da Capo, 9780306822049) will appear on "CBS This Morning" on Tuesday, April 22. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #da capo


Savannah Book Festival to Offer Year-Round Author Events

The Savannah Book Festival announced plans to offer year-round author events, starting with Tami Hoag set to headline the Spring 2014 event. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


FarFaria App Offers kids’ Stories for $3.99 Per Month

Offering a colorful and fanciful interface with more than 600 digital stories for kids, FarFaria is a subscription app for the iPad, providing unlimited access to its content for $3.99 a month. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #subscription app


Authors Guild Hits Back at Google Ruling

Late Friday afternoon, the Authors Guild filed its appeal in its copyright infringement lawsuit against Google. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Authors on the Air April 11, 2014: Robert Dawson

Robert Dawson, author of "The Public Library: A Photographic Essay" (Princeton Architectural Press, 9781616892173), will appear on "Weekend Edition Saturday" on Saturday, April 12. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #public library


Authors on the Air April 10, 2014: Martin Goldsmith

Martin Goldsmith, author of "Alex’s Wake: A Voyage of Betrayal and a Journey of Remembrance"(Da Capo, 9780306823220) will appear on MSNBC TV's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on Thursday, April 10. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #martin goldsmith #da capo #msnbc tv #chris matthews


Authors on the Air April 8, 2014: Barbara Ehrenreich and Martin Goldsmith

Barbara Ehrenreich, author of "Living with a Wild God: A Nonbeliever’s Search for the Truth About Everything" (Twelve, 9781455501762) will appear on MSNBC’s "Morning Joe" and NPR’s "Fresh Air" on Tuesday, April 8. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #martin goldsmith #morning joe #fresh air


Sphere buys Holocaust survivors' story

Sphere has acquired an "incredible" true Holocaust story "about three pregnant... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2014-04-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


In Bars and in Books, American Whiskey Is on the Rise

“I’m for anything that gets you through the night – be it prayer, tranquilizers, or a bottle of Jack Daniel’s,” said the great American singer Frank Sinatra about one of the great American whiskeys. Or so say the ads on Jack Daniel’s new line of whiskey, Sinatra Select. And just as the American... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2014-04-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |