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 United States needs to strike a balance between respecting individual freedoms and protecting national security, says everyone from the director of national intelligence to the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It's the standard reaction to the stream of revelations about the extensive... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2013-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Two more books drawing buzz at the fair include a debut novel by Joshua Ferris's wife, and a co-authored book about friendship and the Iraq war. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sarah Hall has won the £15,000 BBC National Short Story Award with her story "Mrs Fox... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-10-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart dominated headlines a decade ago. Now 25, Smart tells of her experiences in "My Story," a memoir published this week by St. Martin's.The disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart dominated headlines a decade ago. Now 25, Smart tells of her... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-10-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Berg's memoir chronicles the death of his brother and the aftereffects of the crime. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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When I moved to Paris in 2010, I’d already begun doing the majority of my reading on my Kindle. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Most small newspapers would be happy with an online publishing system that solves more headaches than it creates. Finding software that makes digital revenue and reader traffic skyrocket seems like the stuff of dreams. But that’s precisely ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hey there, Engadget's main news feed will soon be changing over to a new version featuring excerpted content. You'll still get the headlines and a good chunk of each post, but for those wanting the full story, you'll need to click through to the site (which has been the industry standard way of... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2013-10-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Lord Sebastian Coe has been longlisted for the £25,000 William Hill Sports Book of the Year... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-10-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish writer William Trevor has been named winner of the inaugural Charleston & Chichester... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The good news: According to a new report from the National Endowment for the Arts, more than half of American adults read books for pleasure in 2012.The good news: According to a new report from the National Endowment for the Arts, more than half of American adults read books for pleasure in... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-09-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A panel of industry experts gathered to discuss the state of publishing’s ever-changing jobs market at a Publishers Weekly Discussion Series on September 25, at Random House’s offices in midtown Manhattan. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-09-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Cornerstone has signed a six-figure deal for a début novel about a Mormon family in... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-27 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Our Authors Guide to the Frankfurt Book Fair is now available in Spanish, thanks to Dosdoce, The Spanish Digital Link, and Actualidad Editorial. Download it here. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It's 1969 and James Bond wakes up in The Dorchester in London. It’s his 45th birthday.... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author Bill Bryson calls on publishers to give away ebooks with printed copies in order to tempt readers back to buying physical books. Continue reading at BBC World
[ BBC World | 2013-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Our look at the week's web buzz including hotbutton issues around reader reviews, at questions of print vs. ebooks, and at Amy Tan's new book cover. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-09-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, has voted to retain its... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Barbara Ehrenreich tackles "the truth"; Arianna Huffington tackles success; Elizabeth Gilbert tackles fiction; Alice McDermott tackles being ordinary; and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-09-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Man Booker Prize submission rule changes will have a negative impact on small publishers,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-09-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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