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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Germany’s World Book Day: ‘I’ll Give You a Story’ of a Secret Lake

The 26th iteration in Germany of the 'I'll Give You a Story' project brings reading and environmentalism to schoolkids this year. The post Germany’s World Book Day: ‘I’ll Give You a Story’ of a Secret Lake appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-20 18:49:10 UTC ]
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Very Short Stories to Devour in Record Time

Very short stories–also known as flash fiction, micro fiction, drabbles, and the like–are a delightful form of fiction. Start with these. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-19 10:34:00 UTC ]
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AAPI Communities in Conversation #4: Sheldon Simeon, author of 'Cook Real Hawai’i'

If you missed the livestream, check out the recording of Sheldon Simeon, author of 'Cook Real Hawai’i' in conversation with Michelle Young of the Waimea Public Library. And register today for the next discussion, featuring Jai Chakrabarti, author of 'A Play for the End of the World.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #aapi communities #michelle young #register today


How Los Angeles transformed American literature

L.A.'s authors, from 19th century novelists to Wanda Coleman to Steph Cha, have always pushed genre boundaries and dissected California myths. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-04-14 13:00:55 UTC ]
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The winner of this year’s Story Prize is Brandon Taylor’s Filthy Animals.

Tonight, The Story Prize announced that the 2021 winner is Brandon Taylor for Filthy Animals. The Story Prize’s $20,000 top prize is among the largest first-prize amounts of any annual U.S. book award for fiction. Now in it’s 18th year, The Story Prize annually honors the author of an... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-04-14 01:11:02 UTC ]
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Shannon Bream's Bible stories are turning Fox News Books into a publishing force

The HarperCollins imprint has four straight bestsellers, thanks in large part to the cable news channel's promotional pop. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2022-04-13 15:00:58 UTC ]
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10 of the Best Novels and Short Stories about Monsters

Literature is full of monsters whose names and appearance have passed into general circulation: we all recognise Frankenstein (even if, as pedants will be quick to point out, Hollywood has made us confuse the ‘monster’ with his creator), Dracula, and the Minotaur, among many others. But what are... Continue reading at Interesting Literature

[ Interesting Literature | 2022-04-13 14:00:46 UTC ]
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Authors and Booksellers Mobilize for Midterm Voters

Writers for Democratic Action, an organization of some 2,600 authors, is mobilizing its membership in a campaign called Book the Vote. WDA will facilitate nonpartisan voter registration for the 2022 midterm election, working with authors, bookstores, and libraries to educate voters about their... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Brandon Taylor's 'Filthy Animals' Wins 2022 Story Prize

Taylor's second book, published by Riverhead, won the $20,000 prize honoring an outstanding story collection published in 2021. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-13 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Patricia MacLachlan, ‘Sarah, Plain and Tall’ Author, Dies at 84

A best-selling children’s book writer, she focused on family life and its difficulties, earning acclaim for her gentle, spare prose. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-04-12 18:33:17 UTC ]
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‘Memphis’ traces decades of Black Americans’ trauma and triumph

"Today" show book club pick "Memphis" traces the lives of three generations of Black women. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-12 14:16:05 UTC ]
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Jack Higgins, best-selling author of ‘The Eagle Has Landed,’ dies at 92

The British thriller writer's 85 books have sold more than a quarter of a billion copies. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-11 17:59:46 UTC ]
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Su Tong and His Stories on Women’s Lives

Phoenix Publishing and Media Group features Another Life for Women and Three Lamps in its newly launched Jiangsu Literature Translated series. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-11 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Henry Patterson, author of The Eagle Has Landed, dies aged 92

The bestselling novelist wrote 85 books, mostly thrillers and spy stories, using the pseudonym Jack HigginsHenry Patterson, the bestselling novelist who wrote the The Eagle Has Landed, has died aged 92.The writer died at his home in Jersey surrounded by his family, his publisher HarperCollins... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-04-09 20:18:44 UTC ]
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At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations

In London Book Fair's Literary Translation Center, one session was about how author-translator relationships aren't always easy. The post At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-07 20:28:50 UTC ]
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The 100-year-old story of South Africa's first history book in the isiZulu language

Magema Fuze’s book was a radical act of publishing. It contained histories of chiefdoms and kingdoms - from the Zulu to the Ngcobo. Continue reading at The Conversation

[ The Conversation | 2022-04-07 14:10:22 UTC ]
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Beloved Children’s Author Patricia MacLachlan Has Died at 84

Patricia MacLachlan, author of beloved children's literature including Sarah, Plain and Tall, died on March 31. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-06 10:54:45 UTC ]
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Colin Kaepernick talks about his new venture: Children’s book author

The activist-quarterback discusses the defining moment that sparked his new children’s book, ‘I Color Myself Different.' Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-06 09:00:00 UTC ]
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The Best Short Stories of All Time

If you're in search of more of the best short stories of all time, start with this list to build your to-read list! Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-04-05 10:32:00 UTC ]
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Patricia MacLachlan, author of ‘Sarah, Plain and Tall,’ dies at 84

Millions of young people read her Newbery Medal-winning novel about two motherless farm children and the gentle woman who comes to the prairie to make them whole. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-05 04:20:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #patricia maclachlan #newbery medal-winning