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.

See what they're saying about "PERESTROIKA" on Goodreads

Joao Cerqueira's "PERESTROIKA - An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth" is a favorite with readers with a 4.42 star rating on Goodreads so far.

Read Amanda Taft's 5-star review: “Perestroika" is a historical fiction novel that provides thrilling insights into the late Communist era. The book opens in 1978 and introduces citizens of Slavia like artist Ludwig Kirchner, struggling to survive in concentration camps, whilst the terrifying elites of the regime live in luxury and moral depravity. It all changes in 1989, with Perestroika. In the revolutionary turmoil, former crime boss Ivan Fiorov leads the newly formed 'Freedom Party', heralding a wave of insecurity that resembles the previous dictatorship.

Revenge, redemption and catharsis collide head on with recent European history. With Putin's invasion of Ukraine, alongside a resurgence of populist leaders and neo-Nazi movements across the world, Perestroika is as much a lens into the present as an exciting epitome for the past.”

I read this book on the Pigeonhole app, one stave per day over 11 days, commenting along with other readers. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, my first ever novel on this subject. It’s hard to imagine living through such brutally hard times and even when ‘democracy’ arrived it was really much of the same. I loved the author’s writing style which reminded me of Ken Follett’s with its many characters and interlacing storylines.

Peruse readers' comments here.

Get your copies today!

A Writer's Journey with Steve Schlam:  An Interview

Massiel Valenzuela-Castaneda & Blackhearted Studios interview Steve Schlam on the process of writing, the lyrical power of language, the writer's journey and the artist's plight. 

In this insightful episode featuring author Steve Schlam, he shares his journey through writer's block, describing it as both an enemy and a healer. The conversation with Massiel explores the emotional nuances, touching on guilt, anguish, and the gradual process of overcoming creative obstacles. Steve reflects on the existential themes in his novel, "The Harvesting of Haystacks Cain," emphasizing the writer's desire to leave a lasting mark. The discussion delves into the challenges of releasing creative work into a crowded literary landscape and the importance of feedback. Listeners can look forward to the pre-launch period starting in mid-January, leading up to the official book launch in March. 

Episode Name: Breaking Chains and Nurturing Creativity: A Writer's Journey with Steve Schlam

Episode Number: 240

Listen to the full episode here.

"Many villains, no hero..." - Casey Walsh on "Perestroika"

"Perestroika, eye for an eye; tooth for a tooth, is a striking work of historical literary fiction, a fable-like political satire.  
Cerqueira paints a vivid, if terrifying picture of a brutal regime and the characters who struggle against it are drawn with great pathos. He manages to render even the most odious, self-serving among them as vulnerable, human. The author expertly weaves each narrative into a tense fabric of despair and asks, finally, if there is any redemption in revenge or is true forgiveness the only way to peace, both for individuals and a nation.  
A surprise plot twist ties each of the separate, yet intersecting lives of the main characters together in a beautifully poetic way. Readers of political intrigues and Cold War dramas will enjoy this. "

--Casey Walsh – author of the Downs series.

NOW AVAILABLE!! Winner of the 2023 HFC European Book of the Year. Get your copy today! 

The Galway Review features an excerpt of "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane"

Galway's Leading Literary Magazine features an excerpt of Steve Schlam's upcoming novel "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane" in their latest "Best of the Month" selection.
Read the excerpt here.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Steve Schlam's debut novel, "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane," is set to captivate readers with its unique storytelling approach and exploration of profound existential themes. Scheduled for release in March 2024 by 8th House Publishing, this literary work follows the story of Herschel Cain, aka Haystacks Kane, a reluctant 607-pound professional wrestler and passionate butterfly collector. Exploited by ruthless promoters, managers, and even his own ex-wife, Haystacks' life takes a dramatic turn when a severe injury in the wrestling ring leaves him on a hospital bed, immobile and unable to speak. Faced with his own mortality, he searches the deeper truths of his existence while he dreams of Greece, Rhodes, and the Petaloudes Valley, where he can live in peace amid the "sound of butterflies."

Schlam's unique narrative technique provides readers an intimate look into Haystacks' psyche as we delve deeper and deeper into the existential aspects of Haystacks' life, his quest for meaning, identity, and liberation. Here the author’s exceptional talent shines through as he skillfully weaves together a tapestry of voices, perspectives, and emotions, promising readers a powerful and unforgettable literary journey into the depths of the human condition.

“The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane”: Wrestling with butterflies and existential meaning: A literary masterpiece that explores the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of the human experience.

About the author: Steve Schlam, born in New York City, has lived across the United States and Mexico. In addition to his writing, he is an accomplished actor and holds a Master's Degree in Creative Writing and English under the tutelage of “Catch-22” author Joseph Heller. "The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane" marks his debut novel, showcasing his prowess in storytelling and profound exploration into the complexities of human existence.

Perestroika: "a tour de force of historical fiction"

JamReads reviews Joao Cerqueira's "PERESTROIKA - An Eye for an Eye, a Tooth for a Tooth" calling it a "tour de force of historical fiction."

Read the full review here. 

Order your copy today!

ABOUT THE BOOK

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. 
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.