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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“I wished someone slightly browner than me would write it,” said Jeanine Cummins, the author of the highly anticipated book. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-01-22 12:23:18 UTC ]
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Jeanine Cummins' book has been lauded by Stephen King and Lauren Groff, but also lambasted as "problematic," "harmful" and "brownfacing." Continue reading at HuffPost
[ HuffPost | 2020-01-21 23:31:13 UTC ]
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Oprah Winfrey chose "American Dirt" as her latest book club selection. Author Jeanine Cummins' novel has sparked a backlash for its portrayal of immigrants. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2020-01-21 20:14:23 UTC ]
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A young writer wrote a controversial bit of military science fiction about sexual politics. The fallout was nuclear. Continue reading at Wired
[ Wired | 2020-01-17 14:00:00 UTC ]
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Essayists recount the abuse, rejection, extremism or disillusionment that led them to leave the church. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-01-17 01:13:49 UTC ]
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The sequel to “The Peripheral” is full of cultural commentary, plus imagination and suspense. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-01-16 19:59:44 UTC ]
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Since its release in 1974, the provocative literary anthology ‘Aiiieeeee!’ has been discussed far more often than it’s actually been read. Continue reading at The Paris Review
[ The Paris Review | 2020-01-15 16:00:28 UTC ]
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On the heels of the hygge craze, a rush of new books delve into fika, ichigo ichie and other lessons from around the globe. Continue reading at The Washington Post
[ The Washington Post | 2020-01-15 14:00:00 UTC ]
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From bestsellers to textbooks, stolen content is easily found on a 14-year-old hosting service operated by Microsoft’s social network. Mid-level writers are hurt the most. If you want to purchase a copy of The Institute, Stephen King’s latest novel about supernatural kids, you could find it at... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2020-01-15 13:00:52 UTC ]
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When one book series door closes, another book series window opens. Check out new series from your favorite authors hitting shelves this year. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-01-14 11:33:37 UTC ]
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Pushkin Press has sold North American rights to Penguin Books US for How to be a Fascist by Italian author and politician Michela Murgia. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2020-01-14 03:52:42 UTC ]
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A ghostly figure from Mexican folklore haunts the pages of Mejia’s debut middle grade novel. (Sponsored) Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
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He didn’t publish his first novel (which he illustrated himself) until he was 46. But his impact, as both a writer and an artist, has lasted. Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2020-01-11 01:15:42 UTC ]
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Investor J.D. Vance, author of the bestselling memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” has launched a venture capital firm based in Cincinnati, according to multiple media reports. The Ohio native’s firm, Narya Capital, will invest in startups in the Raleigh, Durham and cities such as Salt Lake City,... Continue reading at Silicon Valley Business Journal
[ Silicon Valley Business Journal | 2020-01-10 12:20:00 UTC ]
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More than 130 adult and children’s authors and illustrators will be attending this year’s Winter Institute. Here are authors coming this year who serve as proof that kids’ and YA books and authors continue to be key to the fair. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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In this conversation with a featured speaker, PW checks in with W. Paul Coates, who will participate in a keynote panel entitled “Bookselling and Liberation: Black Bookstores in America, from the ’60s to the Present” on Friday, January 24. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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More than 130 adult and children’s authors and illustrators will be attending this year’s Winter Institute. Here are well-known and up-and-coming adult authors who will be signing at the conference. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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The new online bookstore intended to benefit indies is nearly ready to go, and will launch January 28. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2020-01-10 05:00:00 UTC ]
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We're in a new golden age of science fiction, especially science fiction short stories. These are some of the best stories you can read right now online. Continue reading at Book Riot
[ Book Riot | 2020-01-09 11:35:44 UTC ]
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“Alternate history, in my opinion, is a more demanding game,” says the author of “Agency” and other science fiction novels, “if only because conventional historical fiction, like history, is itself highly speculative.” Continue reading at The New York Times
[ The New York Times | 2020-01-09 10:00:07 UTC ]
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