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’'


The Best Short Stories about Friendship

Friendship is such a universal and central theme to all of our lives, that picking just a small number of the best short stories about such a broad theme is always going to be a challenge. However, the following stories are by some of the finest masters of the short […] Continue reading at Interesting Literature

[ Interesting Literature | 2022-09-21 14:00:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #central theme #small number #short stories


UAE: Sharjah Book Authority’s New Awards Honor Rights Professionals

During this year's Sharjah International Book Fair Publishers Conference, rights professionals will win two new awards. The post UAE: Sharjah Book Authority’s New Awards Honor Rights Professionals appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-09-21 00:42:21 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #post uae #rights professionals


At 9, Javier Zamora walked 4,000 miles to the U.S. At 29, he was ready to tell the story

Javier Zamora talks about "Solito," his harrowing memoir about journeying from El Salvador to the U.S. as an unaccompanied 9-year-old. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-09-15 14:00:30 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #harrowing memoir #el salvador #memoir


Meet Alex Aster, The TikToker Changing The Publishing Industry For The Better

The Colombian-American author's new book "Lightlark" was rejected numerous times — until she went directly to her readers for support. Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2022-09-15 09:45:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing industry


Ling Ma’s surreal stories explore the absurdity of labels

The "Severance" author returns with a collection of stories that are uncanny and haunting. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-09-14 14:00:57 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ling ma #author returns


Javier Marías, celebrated Spanish author, dies at 70

His books sold nearly 9 million copies around the world with intricate and multilayered plots of crime, espionage and moral quandaries. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-09-13 23:18:42 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #books sold


Whiting Introduces Changes to Literary Magazine Prizes

The Whiting Foundation's 2023 Literary Magazine Awards will feature a new grant schedule, eligibility requirements, and total number of prizes. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #whiting foundation #eligibility requirements #total number #literary magazine


‘Maus’ Author Art Spiegelman Honored by US National Book Foundation

Art Spiegelman, whose 'Maus' is an example of his groundbreaking work, is to be introduced at the National Book Awards by Neil Gaiman. The post ‘Maus’ Author Art Spiegelman Honored by US National Book Foundation appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-09-12 04:09:42 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #art spiegelman #groundbreaking work #neil gaiman #national book foundation


Morgan James Publishing: Supporting Authors and Building Community from Page One

Since founding Morgan James Publishing in 2003, entrepreneur David Hancock has helped launch the careers of thousands of authors. Whether it’s a business- or faith-based title, a novel, or a children’s story, the books’ accolades speak for themselves. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-09-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #helped launch


Possible copyright changes could mean more money for Inuit artists

Whatever price artists get from their initial sale is, currently, all the money they'll ever receive from their art — though that could change if the federal government reforms Canada's copyright law to give artists a cut of resales. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-09-10 08:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #copyright law


In one memoir, stories of two outsiders in small-town Louisiana

Casey Parks, a gay journalist, weaves her own family story with her efforts to track down the enigmatic Roy Hudgins, said to be a woman who lived as a man. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-09-09 10:00:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #casey parks #family story


William Kent Krueger is BFF With His Most Famous Character

The best-selling author of 19 novels starring Cork O’Connor opens up about their relationship. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-09-08 09:00:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #famous character #best-selling author


Why American Novelists Need to Not Just Keep Up With But Also Overtake Reality

Hosted by Andrew Keen, Keen On features conversations with some of the world’s leading thinkers and writers about the economic, political, and technological issues being discussed in the news, right now. In this episode, Andrew is joined by A.M. Homes, author of The Unfolding. Find more Keen On... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-09-06 08:56:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #american novelists #features conversations #leading thinkers #technological issues #lit hub #novelists


Wattpad gave authors a boost. TikTok launches them to new heights.

On Wattpad, authors retain a lot of the control, but on TikTok, it’s hard to know when and how a story will go viral. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-09-03 13:00:59 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Leadership Changes at HarperCollins Publishers

Abby West has been named v-p and editorial director at Amistad, with promotions for Tara Parsons and Laina Adler to v-p and deputy publisher of their respective imprints. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #named v- #harpercollins publishers #deputy publisher #harpercollins


The Best Short Stories about School and Schooldays

What are the best short stories which are set in school, or which focus on school and one’s schooldays? There are plenty of stories which are ‘set in schools’ in the sense of being set reading for schoolchildren, but it’s harder to find some canonical and classic short stories which […] Continue reading at Interesting Literature

[ Interesting Literature | 2022-08-29 14:00:36 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #short stories


What is at Stake as the Forests Change Around Us?

Emergence Magazine is an online publication with annual print edition exploring the threads connecting ecology, culture, and spirituality. As we experience the desecration of our lands and waters, the extinguishing of species, and a loss of sacred connection to the Earth, we look to emerging... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-08-29 08:52:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #emerging stories #emergence magazine #online publication #sacred connection #narrated essays


Register Today for AAPI Communities in Conversation #9 Featuring Andrea Wang, Author of 'The Many Meanings of Meilan'

Wang is set to appear in conversation with Crystal Chen of the New York Public Library. The live stream is set for Tuesday, September 6 at 1 PM ET. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-08-29 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #register today #aapi communities #live stream


Poison pens: leading writers call for overhaul of UK’s Society of Authors

Literary world riven by conflict as trade union is accused of inappropriately taking sides in culture warIt is a literary row that threatens to consume the very organisation set up to protect authors’ rights. And, in spite of the involvement of three prominent names in children’s books, it has... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-08-21 09:00:05 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #protect authors #trade union #jk rowling #philip pullman #dark materials #cast members #management committee #literary world


Ali Hazelwood’s sort-of-secret life as a best-selling author

“Love Hypothesis” author Ali Hazelwood didn’t intend to keep her scientist identity separate from her author identity. She didn’t intend to become an author. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-08-20 12:00:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #best-selling author