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’'

Nicole Chung Talks Anthologies and the Nerdy Joys of Structure

In this episode of Reading Women, Kendra talks with Nicole Chung about the anthology she co-edited, A Map Is Only One Story out now from Catapult. From the episode: Kendra: Today, I’m talking to Nicole Chung, the editor in chief of Catapult Magazine and also one of the co-editors of the... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-02-26 09:47:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #nicole chung #anthology

New Ottolenghi cookbook slated for September with author tour

Penguin Random House is publishing a new cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi in September, written alongside Ixta Belfrage: Ottolenghi Flavour. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-26 00:45:48 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #yotam ottolenghi #penguin random house #cookbook

5 Short Story Collections for Your Audiobook TBR

A roundup of audiobook short story collections, with a single narrator or a full cast, that give listeners an incredible audiobook experience. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2020-02-25 11:31:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #full cast #audiobook

What you can do about climate change, today

The authors of the new book ‘The Future We Choose,’ which outlines possible outcomes of the climate crisis, explain how you can make the choices today that will create the best possible world in 2050. A new book called The Future We Choose lays out two scenarios for the future: what 2050 looks... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2020-02-24 06:01:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #climate change #climate crisis #current trajectory

David Nicholls joins Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award 2020 judging panel

Bestselling author and screenwriter David Nicholls has joined the Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award 2020 judging panel. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-23 22:37:04 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bestselling author

Not a Cult, a new bookstore in Los Angeles, puts authors of color at the forefront.

The door of Los Angeles’ newest bookstore is propped open on a quiet section of Hollywood Boulevard, the front window displaying books on a handmade wooden bookshelf. Inside the front room, you’ll find more books and merchandise below a neon light thought bubble and a sign that reads, “I still... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-02-21 15:00:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bookstore

Victoria Chang on the Self and Its Many Deaths

For the next installation in our interview series with contemporary poets, Peter Mishler corresponded with Victoria Chang. Victoria Chang’s books include OBIT (April 2020), Barbie Chang, The Boss, Salvinia Molesta, and Circle. Her children’s picture book, Is Mommy?, was illustrated by Marla... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-02-21 09:48:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #victoria chang #interview series #contemporary poets #picture book #books include

A climate for change

As floods swamp Britain in yet another reminder of the weather extremes engendered by climate change, this week’s announcement from German media giant Bertelsmann, parent of Penguin Random House, that it has set a 2030 target to become “climate neutral” comes as a welcome marker for the... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-21 00:16:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #climate change #climate neutral

This author wrote a book based on a Florence and the Machine album.

Have you ever listened to one of your favorite albums on repeat, gotten lost in the sweeping, cinematic feel of it, knew it so well that you began picturing it as a narrative, filled in the details missing from the music, and then realized the story you were telling was almost fully independent... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2020-02-20 20:20:20 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #author wrote #book based

Dan Brown … Children’s Book Author?

For his latest project, the writer best known for “The Da Vinci Code” is turning his attention to a younger audience. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2020-02-20 14:15:06 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book author #latest project #younger audience #children’s book

American journalism is dying. Its survival requires public funds | Victor Pickard

Maintaining public media infrastructure should be non-negotiable for a democratic society. We have to be boldThe McClatchy newspaper chain’s recent filing for bankruptcy is one more data point showing that US journalism is dying. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the newspaper... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2020-02-19 13:34:47 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #american journalism #democratic society #newspaper industry #rural communities #local news

Faber pre-empts Ross' 'rare' love story 15 years in the making

Faber has pre-empted Leone Ross' "lightning bolt of a novel", about two star-crossed lovers finding their way back to one another over a single day. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-18 18:09:43 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #lightning bolt #single day

HQ signs Williams' business manifesto Millennial Black

HQ has signed a "fresh and original" business manifesto for black women by marketing consultant Sophie Williams. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2020-02-18 13:05:24 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #black women

Judy Blume to Headline BookExpo’s 2020 Children’s Book & Author Breakfast

ReedPop announced the author lineup for BookExpo’s 2020 Children’s Book & Author Breakfast, which will be held on Friday, May 29, at the Javits Center in New York City, and hosted and moderated by renowned children's author Judy Blume. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-02-18 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #renowned children #judy blume #javits center #children's author #children’s book

Luis J. Rodriguez on changing lives through poetry

Luis J. Rodriguez shared his new book, 'From Our Land to Our Land,' with the Los Angeles Times Book Club Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-02-17 00:49:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #times book

On #DignidadLiteraria and American Dirt, Old and New

Below is a collection of articles that respond to American Dirt, consider the injustices of the publishing industry’s Big Five, and highlight books by Chicanx and Latinx writers. ¤ A reading list assembled from these articles: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Heart Like a Window, Mouth Like a... Continue reading at Los Angeles Review of Books

[ Los Angeles Review of Books | 2020-02-14 19:23:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #highlight books ##dignidadliteraria #american dirt #publishing industry #latinx writers

Faith’s Changing Role In Politics

Religion publishers explore the numerous ways faith and social issues overlap in today's political climate. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-02-14 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #changing role #political climate

#DignidadLiteraria invites Oprah 'on a mission to repair' after 'American Dirt' fracas

Critics of "American Dirt" invited Oprah Winfrey on Wednesday to discuss "#DignidadLiteraria and other Latinx groups and the publishing industry that has systematically erased us." Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-02-13 04:43:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #american dirt ##dignidadliteraria #publishing industry