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 ]
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Authors Guild Applauds Arrest, Indictment of Major E-Book Pirates

Two Russian nationals are now facing criminal charges in the U.S. for their role in running Z-Library, one of the world's most notorious e-book pirate sites before its domains were seized by U.S. officials earlier this fall. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Beneath Its Pink Cover, ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ Offers a Story About Power

The best-selling debut author Bonnie Garmus created Elizabeth Zott, a chemist battling a sexist 1950s establishment, as the role model she craved — and found that readers wanted the same. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-11-16 14:07:21 UTC ]
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10 Picture Book Biographies of Authors to Show Kids How to Use Their Words

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[ Book Riot | 2022-11-15 11:31:00 UTC ]
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England’s Usborne and HarperCollins Announce American Distribution Deal

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-14 21:10:20 UTC ]
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Sheikh Zayed Award Names Longlists: Literature, Children’s Literature, Young Authors

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-10 20:55:04 UTC ]
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These famous authors are expressing solidarity with the striking HarperCollins workers.

As you may have seen on Book Twitter today, the unionized workers of HarperCollins are striking to secure a fair contract, livable wages, and a more equitable publishing industry. Some 250 employees—across the editorial, publicity, sales, marketing, legal and design departments—agreed to go on... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-11-10 19:23:57 UTC ]
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'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Alters How Superhero Stories Handle Death

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[ Wired | 2022-11-10 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Shanghai’s Children’s Book Fair Changes Venue Amid COVID Constraints

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[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-11-09 18:16:05 UTC ]
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Julie Powell, bestselling author of 'Julie & Julia,' dies at 49

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[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-11-01 18:39:54 UTC ]
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[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-11-01 14:00:17 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-11-01 04:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Literrary Hub | 2022-10-31 08:57:03 UTC ]
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Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #11 with Malinda Lo, author of 'Last Night at the Telegraph Club'

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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-10-20 13:00:51 UTC ]
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[ Electric Literature | 2022-10-20 11:05:00 UTC ]
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[ Book Riot | 2022-10-19 10:40:00 UTC ]
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Virago founder Carmen Callil was a powerhouse who changed the publishing world for the better

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[ The Guardian | 2022-10-18 15:06:43 UTC ]
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[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-10-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
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