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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Several publishers and authors have told The Bookseller that they are in the process of changing... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Since Google News began, publishers have complained that it scrapes their content and offers little in return, letting readers get vital parts of stories as short snippets. In late 2012, the site settled with Belgian publishers after a six-year-long ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher
[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-06-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Vice Magazine's newest fashion spread depicted models dressed like Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, and others in the act of committing suicide. The photos were taken down after a public outcry. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sally Gardner, a dyslexic author once branded "unteachable" at school, wins the prestigious Carnegie Medal for her book Maggot Moon. Continue reading at BBC News
[ BBC News | 2013-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Twenty-two published and unpublished authors last night (18th) shared the £40,000 prize... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The relaunched Commonwealth Book Prize continues to be a key conduit of exchange between underrepresented countries and regions to the UK publishing community. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The next ebook you buy might not exactly match the printed version. And those changes are there to make sure you're not a pirate. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2013-06-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Craig Chappelow has written about how leaders can be more successful. But he'd crack One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest before the latest business book any day. Here's why he thinks you should, too. Read any good leadership books lately? Me either. It seems like popular books about leadership... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2013-06-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In the UK, authors are paid by the government when their physical books are borrowed (around 6p per loan), but digital titles are not yet a part of that agreement. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Writers Grace McLeen, Anne Somerset and Alison Moore were among the 24 authors given Society of... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Few people understand the magic of libraries better than Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials, but all is not well when it comes to digital lending. As the soon-to-be president of the Society of Authors, Pullman is leading the charge against publishing houses that may be shortchanging... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2013-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Porter Anderson takes on the distraction of publishing non-controversies, a new guide for self-publishing, BEA chief Steve Rosato's response to last week's critique of BEA and more. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New! For the July 1, 2013 issue (reservation deadline June 17, 2013): Some call it multicultural, some call it Africana, some call it a “special collection”; but whatever it’s called, the procurement of materials that reflect black culture is a part of a librarian’s job, and we wanted to hear... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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It is "so American": actress Scarlett Johansson is suing French author Gregoire Delacourt for describing a character in his novel as her "doppleganger" -- or exact double. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Atlantic Books has signed a non-fiction book detailing the crimes of a nurse dubbed “The... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The literary community has long believed that Agee's work 'Let Us Now Praise Famous Men' was rejected by Fortune magazine for its cryptic narrative, but a newly discovered typescript indicates that may not be the case. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-06-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Porter Anderson looks back on BEA 2013 through the prism of the self-published indie author and finds the show out-of-touch with the realities of the industry. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-06-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jack Vance, prolific author of science fiction, mystery and epic fantasy, died Sunday at 96, his son John told the Associated Press. He had written more than 60 books during his long life.Jack Vance, prolific author of science fiction, mystery and epic fantasy, died Sunday at 96, his son John... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-05-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Porter Anderson previews this week's BookExpo America and ponders how changes at the fair reflect the ongoing transformation of "the industry, the industry!" Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-05-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Samuel Johnson famously said “no man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.” Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-05-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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