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’'


'American Born Chinese' began as a photocopied comic. For its creator, the journey has been 'surreal'

Gene Luen Yang's award-winning graphic novel started as a self-published comic. Now it's a Disney+ series featuring Oscar-winning actors Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-05-24 19:26:40 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #graphic novel


The High-Risk Feat of Bringing ‘American Born Chinese’ to TV

For years, Gene Luen Yang was convinced a single character in his groundbreaking graphic novel would doom any attempt at an adaptation. What changed? Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-05-24 09:00:29 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #graphic novel


U.S. Book Show: B&N CEO Says Chain Is in Midst of Significant Change

As Barnes & Noble continues to put its troubled past behind it, CEO James Daunt outlined the "process of change" at the company, which includes renovating stores to make them more appealing, empowering employees, adding sidelines, and renewing the browsing experience both offline and on. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #significant change #book show #bn ceo #troubled past #browsing experience


PJ Library Expands Outreach to Authors

The non-profit organization that mails millions of books a year to families with connections to Judaism, has relaunched and added online seminars to a program that takes 20 authors and illustrators for eight days in Israel. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #non-profit organization


William Boyd on his friend Martin Amis: ‘He was ferociously intelligent – and very funny’

He saw the world’s cruel absurdities through a comic lens, writes Boyd, who recalls his very first meeting with Amis – and explains why his unmistakable voice will never be forgotten• John Self on Amis: ‘He stamped his style over a generation’• Geoff Dyer on Amis: ‘Mick Jagger in literary... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-05-22 07:00:49 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #avid reader #charles dickens #james joyce #vladimir nabokov #elite group #first novel


Hello Sunshine’s CEO shares the questions her team asks to catalyze change

Sarah Harden says, “If there’s one word we talk about over and over again, it’s shifting from judgment to curiosity.” The morning I spoke with Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden I revisited Cheryl Strayed’s book, Tiny Beautiful Things. A compilation of letters from Strayed’s advice column, Dear... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2023-05-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #reese witherspoon #advice column #daisy jones #production company #advancing women #book club


Pastor and Bestselling Author Tim Keller Dies at 72

Rev. Tim Keller, a pioneering pastor of the multi-site megachurch phenomenon and who wrote 28 books on every aspect of Christian life and theology, died on May 19. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #tim keller #christian life #bestselling author


PW Cover Reveal: 'Ways to Build Dreams: A Ryan Hart Story'

In this exclusive cover reveal, PW takes a look at Ways to Build Dreams, the latest installment in the bestselling A Ryan Hart Story series, by Newbery Honor- and Coretta Scott King Award-winner Renée Watson. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #pw takes #latest installment


A Nobel Prize-winning French author looks at a shopping mall. Magic ensues

In 'Look at the Lights, My Love,' an extended essay about a Parisian superstore, Annie Ernaux proves she can master any subject by melding experience and recollection. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-05-19 13:00:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #french author


Book Review: ‘American Childhood,’ by Todd Brewster

From the 19th century to the present, the photos collected in Todd Brewster’s latest book offer glimpses into the lives of our nation’s youngest members. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2023-05-19 09:00:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book review #19th century


London Public Library refuses to rent space to event featuring author of How Woke Won

The London Public Library in southwestern Ontario is standing by its decision to block The Society for Academic Freedom from holding an event featuring controversial British author Joanna Williams. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-05-18 08:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #academic freedom #british author


Quantum physics could offer a new way to study biology—and the results could change our understanding of life itself

There’s a chance our understanding of biology is radically incomplete. Imagine using your cellphone to control the activity of your own cells to treat injuries and disease. It sounds like something from the imagination of an overly optimistic science fiction writer. But this may one day be a... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2023-05-18 01:04:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #science fiction


20 Must-Read Short Stories on Audio

These must-read short stories on audio will help you break out of reading slumps and give you a taste of an author's style, like Some People Have Real Problems by Brit Bennett. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-05-17 10:36:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #brit bennett #short stories


Here are the guest editors (and covers!) for the Best American Series 2023.

Do you like the Best American series? Of course you do! Each book in the annual series showcases of best short fiction and nonfiction in a given year, from short stories to essays, science and nature writing, to food writing. Each volume’s series editor selects notable works from hundreds of... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-05-16 15:00:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #guest editors #american series #short fiction #nature writing #food writing #short stories


Life-Changing Books for Every Reader: PW Talks with Laura Schreiber

The executive editor at Union Square & Co. looks to nurture the work of both debut and seasoned authors. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-16 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #union square


Screenwriter and Author Ahmed Mourad: Abu Dhabi Congress Interview

The Egyptian screenwriter Ahmed Mourad will speak in an Abu Dhabi International Book Fair Congress session on Arabian fantasy. The post Screenwriter and Author Ahmed Mourad: Abu Dhabi Congress Interview appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-05-15 18:09:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


New Leaf Literary & Media Faces Backlash After Dropping Authors

After New Leaf "amicably" parting ways with literary agent Jordan Hamessley on May 12, authors affected by the agent's departure took to Twitter to express concern over how the transition was handled as the agency defends their actions. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #parting ways #express concern #literary agent


U.S. Book Show 2023: Authors in Conversation

In a series of intimate discussions, authors, comics creators, and artists will give readers an inside look at their latest titles and forthcoming books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #give readers #latest titles #forthcoming books


U.S. Book Show 2023: Debut Authors in Conversation

First-time authors Alice Carrière, Tereh Shelton Harris, and Kelsey James will discuss their forthcoming books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-05-12 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #debut authors #forthcoming books


Sorry, Swifties: BTS revealed as authors of mystery book that intrigued the internet

Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS will be out on 9 July, ending feverish speculation that the previously untitled book was a Taylor Swift memoirThe guessing game began this week when a mysteriously untitled book, scheduled for publication in July and known only as “4C Untitled Flatiron... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-05-12 01:34:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #mystery book