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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The UK's Save Our Libraries campaign, spearheaded by librarians and authors, began nearly 10 years ago - but has it achieved its goal of stopping closures? Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-06-08 10:31:39 UTC ]
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This year's Comedy Women in Print Prize shortlists have been revealed, and feature Candice Carty-Williams, Jeanette Winterson and Beth O'Leary. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-08 04:36:56 UTC ]
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An open letter to the Poetry Foundation signed by more than 1,800 individuals issued in response to the organization's recent statement on the killing of George Floyd and other current events calls for significant change at the organization, including the resignations of its president and board... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-06-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A new hashtag campaign aims to highlight the disparity in book advances between white and black authors and has garnered well over 1,000 submissions. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-06-08 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Louise Kennedy has made the six-strong shortlist for this year's Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award for the second year running. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-07 17:27:57 UTC ]
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In his new collection, longtime author Roger Rosenblatt calls writing an “adventure.” Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-06-05 12:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers and authors have continued to share reading lists and offers of help following the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-05 10:41:41 UTC ]
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Observers in recent years have argued that if public libraries didn’t already exist in America, we wouldn’t be able to invent them. In the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, the question now is: Can we reinvent them? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-06-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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As the sounds of helicopters and the chants of protesters rang in the distance, I couldn’t help but think about how I can make an impact. I was shocked—and frankly saddened—to see very little acknowledgement of the Black Lives Matter movement in the event industry, and even fewer actionable... Continue reading at Folio Magazine
[ Folio Magazine | 2020-06-04 20:29:21 UTC ]
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Puffin has acquired The Bear in the Stars by debut author and print-maker Alexis Snell. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-04 13:19:07 UTC ]
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The proportion of authors reporting a drop in income since the coronavirus pandemic began has increased, with almost 60% now seeing a decline in their income following the outbreak according to the Society of Author's latest poll, up over a third from a month ago. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-04 06:12:06 UTC ]
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The regional winners of the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize have been announced, with 20-year-old Reyah Martin taking the title for Europe and Canada. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-03 23:09:53 UTC ]
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Seven Dials has acquired a book by the stars of the Channel 4 series "Escape to the Chateau" that will be hitting shelves in October 2020 as "a superlead release". Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-03 18:59:08 UTC ]
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More than 50 Janklow & Nesbit authors have contributed pieces to a project on the importance of storytelling in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-06-03 01:56:10 UTC ]
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While many readers have understandably found refuge from pandemic anxiety with thick biographies and door-stopping classics, others have had trouble focusing for long periods. With work laptops constantly open and homeschooled children orbiting, the solution to our short attention spans might be... Continue reading at Literrary Hub
[ Literrary Hub | 2020-06-02 08:48:22 UTC ]
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William Collins has scooped an “era defining” history of contemporary Britain from broadcaster and author Andrew Marr. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-31 22:20:47 UTC ]
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Jojo Moyes has written a story featuring the heroine of her bestselling novel Me Before You, Lou Clark, and exploring how the character may be coping in lockdown. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-05-31 14:08:36 UTC ]
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It’s been just over 45 years since the publication of Aiiieeeee!, a groundbreaking and trailblazing anthology that established the category of Asian American literature. Since then, we’ve seen the amalgamation of great organizations centering around Asian American Pacific Islander literature,... Continue reading at Electric Literature
[ Electric Literature | 2020-05-29 11:00:00 UTC ]
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BookExpo helds its first Adult Book and Author Dinner, in lieu of a breakfast, on Wednesday night, showcasing five of the big books of the year, in wide-ranging forms and styles, via Zoom. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-05-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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The Academy of American Poets has announced its 2020 Poets Laureate Fellows. The 23 fellowships are intended to help the poets lead civic poetry programs in their communities over the next year. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-05-28 04:00:00 UTC ]
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