River Street's exclusive POWER Q & A with author Mark Foss!

Get ready for a novel that intertwines love, loss, and the quest for identity. "Borrowed Memories" is a poignant tale that spans continents and generations, exploring how our past shapes our futures.

Read the full interview with Mark Foss and get a sneak peek into the making of this captivating story: Full Interview Here

Set against the backdrop of an Ontario couple in their winter years and the vibrant, tumultuous Arab Spring, this novel brings together the old and the new in a touching narrative. Follow Ivan Pyefinch as he navigates the complex terrain of family memories and personal identity, with an unexpected twist brought by Mia Hakim, a passionate filmmaker with a story that could change everything.

Borrowed Memories by Mark Foss

Coming June 2024 | 228 pages | ISBN 978-1-926716-78-7

#BorrowedMemories #MarkFoss #UpcomingNovel #LiteraryJourney #BookLaunch

Stay tuned and mark your calendars for a journey of memory and discovery!

Borrowed Memories 

In a world where identities are in flux, and memories hold the power to shape destinies, "Borrowed Memories" by Mark Foss emerges as a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the search for self. This captivating novel, set to launch in June 2024, promises readers a literary journey that transcends borders and time.

Finalist for the 2020 Guernica Prize for Fiction

"An Ontario couple in the depth of their winter years is juxtaposed against the rage and hope of the Arab Spring. Ivan Pyefinch, a freelance translator, becomes the custodian of family memory as he cares for his aging parents in the Thousand Islands. His father, a World War II pilot, fights for his driver’s license, while his mother wages a losing battle against Alzheimer’s. Their lives take an unexpected turn with the arrival of Mia Hakim, an immigrant filmmaker with dreams of her Sephardic roots and a scenario that binds their stories in ways they never anticipated."

COMING SOON...

"Perestroika" at the 2024 American Legacy Book Awards!

We are proud to announce that "Perestroika" was a finalist in the Multicultural Fiction category! This recognition highlights the novel's rich exploration of diverse cultural narratives set against a transformative European backdrop.

Join Lia Kirchner and a cast of poignant characters as they navigate the tides of change, seeking justice and truth in a newly reshaped world. "Perestroika" offers a unique blend of history and humanity, inviting readers to reflect on the universality of struggle and triumph. 

Thank you to the American Legacy Book Awards and all our supporters. 

See the full list of winners here.

#Perestroika #AmericanLegacyBookAwards #MulticulturalFiction #LiteraryExcellence

Exciting news from the 2024 Creator Awards!

Joao Cerqueira's "Perestroika" has triumphed with multiple accolades, showcasing the depth and power of its narrative:

• Outstanding Creator Award for Political Fiction
• 2nd Place in Historical Fiction
• 2nd Place in Dystopia
• 3rd Place Overall
• Plus, honorable mentions in Best Villain, Best World Building, and Best Character!

Set against the backdrop of a changing Europe, "Perestroika - An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth" invites readers to explore themes of power, revenge, and the quest for truth. Join us in celebrating these well-deserved recognitions and delve into a story where history meets the complexities of human nature. 

Thank you to all our readers and the panel at the Creator Awards for this incredible honor! 

#Perestroika #PoliticalFiction #CreatorAwards2024 #AwardWinningBooks

Discover more about the awards and "Perestroika" here

We're thrilled to announce a double victory for "Perestroika" at the 2024 BookFest Awards! 

1st Place in Women's Historical Fiction
2nd Place in Historical Fiction

As the spirit of Perestroika reshapes Europe, dive into a tale of political intrigue and personal vendettas through the eyes of Lia Kirchner. Discover a world echoing the fall of the Berlin Wall and mirroring the rise of leaders like Putin and Trump.

This remarkable journey is not just about history, but a profound exploration of truth in the tumult of change. Thank you for your incredible support, and here's to many more stories that challenge, entertain, and inspire! 

#Perestroika #BookFest2024 #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #AwardWinning

Learn more about the awards and "Perestroika" here

Perestroika - Finalist for the Book Excellence Award in Europe

Joao Cerqueira's "PERESTROIKA - An Eye for an Eye a Tooth for a Tooth"  Finalist for the Book Excellence Award in Europe

We are thrilled to announce that Joao Cerqueira's captivating novel "Perestroika - An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" has been declared a Finalist for the prestigious Book Excellence Award in Europe adding this accolade to its long list of awards.

Congratulations to Joao Cerqueira for this well-deserved recognition! His gripping narrative has captivated readers and critics alike, weaving together a tapestry of intrigue, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. "PERESTROIKA" takes readers on a gripping journey through the complexities of justice, morality, and retribution, offering a compelling exploration of human nature and society.

EDITORAL REVIEWS

The author skilfully intertwines personal struggles with the broader political landscape, creating a compelling story of resistance in the face of oppression. ...an engaging exploration of power dynamics, dissent, and the human spirit in a society grappling with its tumultuous past. ...Perestroika not only delights with a well-crafted story but also prompts
reflection on the human condition in the face of the pressures of tumultuous history.

 HISTORICAL FICTION COMPANY

Erudite, eloquent and perspicacious, Perestroika has a Solzhenitsyn/Kafka/Pasternak/Dostoevsky flavor.

REEDSY

What makes "Perestroika" particularly resonant is its relevance to the present day. As Putin's invasion of Ukraine looms large and populist leaders and neo-Nazi movements gain traction across the globe, the novel serves as both a reflection of the past and a stark warning for the future. In this sense, "Perestroika" transcends its historical setting to become a powerful commentary on contemporary politics and society.

A LOOK INSIDE BOOK REVIEWS

... a sobering tale of a regime that controls all aspects of life. Citizens are indoctrinated and fiercely punished for the smallest of infractions.... Perestroika delivers a story of survival and revenge against a regime pushing for ultimate control.

NOVELS ALIVE BOOK BLOG

 ... wonderfully written, with a nicely woven plotline and twists and turns that will keep you looking forward to the subsequent chapters. The novel is very effective in passing on the intended message... The author describes things vividly, which captures the imagination of the reader, and the prowess in narration adds to the overall appeal of the book. I am looking forward to reading something else by this author.

 READERS' FAVORITE

...a well-written narrative that's fast paced.

INDIE READER

Perestroika is an ambitious novel that has no comparison with other political novels. In fact, it is unique in Portuguese, and even European, letters. Perhaps the authors who have most in common with João Cerqueira are George Orwell and Michel Houllebecq, as he shares with them their dystopian vision, brutal frankness, and black humor.

Garry Craig Powell, writer

#BookExcellenceAward #Finalist #JoaoCerqueira #PERESTROIKA #Congratulations #BookLovers #MustRead #EuropeanLiterature #AuthorAchievement

Disquiet Literary Prize Fiction Panel longlists "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane"

We are thrilled to share that Steve Schlam's novel "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane" has been longlisted by The Disquiet Literary Prize Fiction Panel and recognized for its melodic prose, intimate storytelling, and richly dramatic tone. 

Get your copy today!

"...melodic, intimate and rich.  We were especially impressed by the high pitch of language and its resonantly dramatic tone."

--2024 Disquiet Literary Prize Fiction Panel

"All the fireworks of James Joyce's Ulysses its sleight of hand, and the streaming consciousness of Faulkner are at play..."

"...recalls the whimsy of Jerome Charyn's novels, and the laughter of Bruce Jay Friedman, and Stanley Elkin's' work."

"...a unique roller coaster, and it's not one you want to get off."

--Author Mark Jay Mirsky

#DisquietLiteraryPrize #Longlist #SteveSchlam #TheHarvestingofHaystacksKane #Congratulations #LiteraryExcellence #MustRead #Fiction #AuthorAchievement

Now Available!!

PERESTROIKA: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth by João Cerqueira 398 pages | 5.5 x 8.5 | ISBN 978-1-926716-77-0(pbk.)  In the turbulent landscape of an alternate Europe lies the captivating tapestry of "Perestroika," a literary masterpiece that weaves together the threads of revenge, redemption, and catharsis against the backdrop of an imaginary country called Slavia. With a masterful narrative, this novel stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of humanity in the face of political upheaval. Finalist for the 2021 Eyland Awards, Finalist for Fiction Factory Chapter Novel Competition 2022, finalist in the 2023 Latino Book Awards, and winner of the 2023 HFC European Book of the Year.  Get your copies today!	THE HARVESTING OF HAYSTACKS KANE by Steve Schlam 348 pages | 5.25" x 8" | ISBN 978-1-926716-70-1 607-lb, open-hearted, lepidopterist Herschel "Haystacks Kane", is a professional wrestler who just wishes to be left alone with his butterflies. Now laid out in a hospital bed in a coma after a match, they come to him one by one and thinking him deaf and oblivious on what is most probably his death bed, they pour out their confessions, their secrets and gripes. Get your copies today!	AN ANTHOLOGY OF EAST AFRICAN LITERATURE edited by Beatrice Lamwaka & Joshua Mali 344 pages | 6" x 9' | ISBN 978-1-926716-61-9 "This is not just a collection of poems and short stories; it is a granary of artistic abundance! For here, will you find a rich variety of masterfully crafted pieces in a range of style, including those that draw from the African oral storytelling tradition. It is a montage of pieces of literary art, curated in a manner that allows for the ‘strict grammarian’ forms of expression to coalesce with those given to poetic licentiousness." 300+ pages, 50+ contributors, 10+ countries Whichever your favourite genre is, this anthology of East African literature has delivered something that has not been served to readers in many years. It is a fitting gift to the lovers of literary art in this first quarter of the 21st century. Get your copies today!
WOMEN IN JAZZ - Special edition by Sammy Stein 372 pages | 6.5" x 9.5' | ISBN 978-1-926716-71-8 (hardcover.) | US $59 UK £48 Dive into the captivating world of jazz with "Women in Jazz" by Sammy Stein, a groundbreaking book that shines a spotlight on the incredible contributions of women in this beloved genre. This special edition book containing both "Women in Jazz: The Women, the Legends & their Fight" and "In Their Own Words" by Sammy Stein in one hardcover volume, takes readers on an inspiring journey through the lives and stories of female agents, arrangers, composers, musicians, PR professionals, radio hosts, record label managers, singers, writers, and more. ORDER IT TODAY...	SITHANA BURNING by Somsy Camvan 196 pages | 5.25" x 8" | ISBN 978-1-926716-74-9 In a remote village of Laos, rival gangs plot to seize control of the land and exploit its resources for their own gain. But when their plans are threatened by Sithana's appearance, a deadly chain of events is set in motion that will test the limits of loyalty, courage, and love. As tensions rise and alliances shift, a web of corruption and deceit is revealed, and the villagers must band together to fight for their way of life.  BUY NOW!	DON'T EXPECT THE SUN TO SHINE - A Wake for Robin Blaser by Richard Rathwell & Harold Rhenisch 178 pages | 203mm x 203mm | ISBN 978-1-926716-64-0 (pbk.)  "A fitting tribute to Robin Blaser, his life’s work, and his influence on Canadian poetry. “Don’t Expect the Sun to Shine: A Wake for Robin Blaser” is a must-read for poetry enthusiasts and those interested in the intersection of literature and art." This book is a response to ongoing literary trends: the treatment of words as images in art writing; the evolution of criticism as a form of creativity; and contemporary literary narrative that treats fiction as the greatest truth. In Don’t Expect the Sun to Shine, Rathwell and Rhenisch turn time back into space: We want readers to wander around wherever they like. We don’t control their hike. Their biological history does that. We are just hosting a party, so they can meet. — Harold Rhenisch BUY NOW!

"The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane is a unique roller coaster, and it’s not one you want to get off." - Mark Jay Mirsky

Available now - Get your copy today (Ships March 4, 2024)

"All the fireworks of James Joyce’s Ulysses its sleight of hand, and the streaming consciousness  of Faulkner are at play..."

"...recalls the whimsy of Jerome Charyn’s novels, and  the laughter of Bruce Jay Friedman, and Stanley Elkin’s’ work."

"...a unique roller coaster, and it’s not one you want to get off."

Author Mark Jay Mirsky reviews Steve Schlam's upcoming novel slated for release March 4, 2024. Read the review here:

Steve Schlam’s novel, The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane opens with a slam bang mystery. His protagonist, Herschel or Haystacks, is an astounding 607 pounds and we are kept guessing through the first chapter whether he has won a match in the wrestling ring, or his antagonist, The Heart Breaker. One of them has shot into the air, flying over the ropes. Don’t imagine though that this is a conventional Jewish novel about an overweight boy from Brooklyn. All the fireworks of James Joyce’s 'Ulysses' its sleight of hand, and the streaming consciousness of Faulkner are at play in Schlam’s gripping (pardon the pun) first chapter. The cocky dialogue of his handler, Maury, streaked with Yiddish, recalls the whimsy of Jerome Charyn’s novels, and  the laughter of Bruce Jay Friedman, and Stanley Elkin’s work. Later on in the novel we will learn that Herschel’s mother has planted the consciousness of her first male child, whom she truly loved, Stevie, but lost in a crib death, in Herschel, a son she reluctantly gave birth to.  Herschel, she declares angrily will forever be to her a “stranger,” only tolerated  because she believes he cradles in his flesh his dead older sibling, Stevie. This demented Jewish mother, contemptuous of her husband, Hyman Cain, her son Herschel, her daughter, Myrna, almost takes over the chapter, but the wild doings in the hospital to which Herschel is rushed in the aftermath of the match, overcome her dark force. Haystacks Kane, swollen to 607 pounds has landed, in the recovery wards where he has been bound to his mattress sheets, caught and held in a net of intravenous tubes. In the chapter’s last roller coaster pages, the reader is in the same state of suspense as when its pages first exploded. Joy, appetite, incest and sex compete in Haystacks’ head. The creamy center of the blonde nurse who tends Heschel in the hospital, memories of his sister Myrna naked with him as a child in the bathtub; all leak into the intravenous tubes. Herschel dreams they will stream alongside liquid marshmallow of Yankee Doodles and Mallomars into his ravenous body. Tortured, hungering, Haystacks is pinned on the sheets of his hospital bed, like the butterflies his absent father taught him to collect; yet still up on the air, wondering, who won the match?

     "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane" is a unique roller coaster, and it’s not one you want to get off.

-Mark Jay Mirsky, Author

Mark Jay Mirsky is the author of thirteen books, among them five novels and a book of stories and novellas, Thou Worm Jacob, Proceedings of the Rabble, Blue Hill Avenue, The Secret Table, The Red Adam, and Puddingstone. He has also published three critical studies, The Absent Shakespeare, Dante, Eros and Kabbalah. Blue Hill Avenue was listed by the Boston Globe in 2009 as “One of the Essential Books of New England.” His last book A Mother’s Steps is a search for his mother in dreams and photographic albums. The editor of the Diaries in English translation of Robert Musil (Basic Books) and co-editor of Rabbinic Fantasies (Yale University Press) and Volume 1 and 2 of The Jews of Pinsk, 1506-1941 (Stanford University Press) he has been the editor of Fiction since its founding in 1972. Professor Mirsky has taught at Stanford University and Bar Ilan as well as serving first as director of the City College M.A., and then as chairperson of its English Department. He has published in numerous periodicals, the New York Times Sunday Book Review, the Washington Post, Partisan Review, and received a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship and a New York Foundation for the Arts Award.

"Perestroika" is the 2024 Independent Press Award Winner in the category of World Literature

Perestroika: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth by João Cerqueira adds the 2024 Independent Press Award in the category of World Literature to its long list of awards and accolades.

Announcements begin February 26th, with official press releases starting on March 20th. 

JOIN US AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY

June 24, 2024: 7pm - 10pm at Doubletree by Hilton 128 Frontage Road, Newark, NJ 07114

https://www.independentpressaward.com/awardsdinner

Hotel Discounted Rates & Reservations here:

https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=EWRNADT&arrivalDate=2024-06-23&departureDate=2024-06-25&groupCode=TT2&room1NumAdults=2

More on the book:

João Cerqueiro's latest work "Perestroika" isn't just a novel; it's a resonant exploration of the human condition set against the canvas of recent European history. It challenges readers to ponder the very essence of truth, revenge, and the quest for redemption. Unique in its fusion of historical and literary fiction, it stands as a singular work in a league of its own.

For readers who revel in the rich tapestry of historical and literary fiction, and those with an interest in the intersections of politics and human rights, "Perestroika" is an intellectual and emotional odyssey. At its core, the novel confronts the crises facing today's world – from the European upheavals to Russian aggression, Far Right leaders, and global power shifts.

This is more than a book; it's a call to contemplate the delicate balance between political freedom and humanitarian values. Dive into the pages of "Perestroika" and experience a narrative that transcends borders, ideologies, and genres.

PERESTROIKA: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth by João Cerqueira

398 pages | 5.5 x 8.5 | ISBN 978-1-926716-77-0(pbk.)

Get your copies today!

Spillwords features an excerpt of Joao Cerqueira's "PERESTROIKA"

Check out the latest from Spillwords featuring  an excerpt of Joao Cerqueira's "PERESTROIKA - An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth" here: 

https://spillwords.com/perestroika/

PERESTROIKA: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth by João Cerqueira

398 pages | 5.5 x 8.5 | ISBN 978-1-926716-77-0(pbk.)

Get your copies today!

About the Book

As the specter of Perestroika sweeps across Europe, communist regimes crumble, and a new era dawns in the People's Republic of Slavia. In the corridors of power, former leaders grapple with the harsh reality of change, while those who suffered under their rule seek justice and revenge.

Amidst the chaos, the central figure emerges – Lia Kirchner, a woman driven by the shadows of her father's tragic fate in a re-education camp. As the daughter of a painter who perished, Lia embarks on a quest for truth that intertwines with the larger tapestry of political intrigue and personal vendettas.

President Alfred Ionescu, once an influential leader, finds himself confined in an asylum of his own making. Zut Zdanov, the head of culture, faces the haunting specter of his dark past in an encounter with allegations of child abuse. Helena Yava, fueled by the grief of losing a lover, seeks vengeance by any means possible. Igor Olin, the steward of the economy, battles for the dignity of his disabled son in a world grappling with change. Meanwhile, art historian Silvia Lenka delves into the mysteries of her own parentage.

Drawing inspiration from Pilate's eternal question – "what is truth?" – "Perestroika" is a kaleidoscope of history, politics, arts, tragedy, and humor. In a world echoing the fall of the Berlin Wall and mirroring the rise of leaders inspired by figures like Putin and Trump, the novel transcends conventional genres, offering a unique blend of entertainment and intellectual depth.

Finalist for the 2021 Eyland Awards, Finalist for Fiction Factory Chapter Novel Competition 2022, finalist in the 2023 Latino Book Awards, and winner of the 2023 HFC European Book of the Year. 

João Cerqueiro's latest work "Perestroika" isn't just a novel; it's a resonant exploration of the human condition set against the canvas of recent European history. It challenges readers to ponder the very essence of truth, revenge, and the quest for redemption. Unique in its fusion of historical and literary fiction, it stands as a singular work in a league of its own.

For readers who revel in the rich tapestry of historical and literary fiction, and those with an interest in the intersections of politics and human rights, "Perestroika" is an intellectual and emotional odyssey. At its core, the novel confronts the crises facing today's world – from the European upheavals to Russian aggression, Far Right leaders, and global power shifts.

This is more than a book; it's a call to contemplate the delicate balance between political freedom and humanitarian values. Dive into the pages of "Perestroika" and experience a narrative that transcends borders, ideologies, and genres.