FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONTREAL, QC — May 22, 2026 — 8th House Publishing proudly announces the release of The Ballroom, the new literary dystopian novel from award-winning Montreal author Abraham Boyarsky.
"We'll do our best today and every day until we win the jackpot."
In a near‑future Quebec, years after separation from Canada has plunged the province into economic collapse, Montreal is a city of shuttered storefronts, skeletal grocery shelves, and huddled figures warming themselves over barrel fires. The Imperial Meridian Hotel — once a jewel on Sherbrooke Street — stands as a monument to bygone grandeur, its grand ballroom reborn as a gambling hall where the desperate gather.
Here, Walter, a war veteran haunted by his tours in Afghanistan, and his sixteen‑year‑old daughter Bella spend their days in an arcane ritual of survival. For ten dollars a day, they enter the Ballroom with programmed tablets slung around their necks and join hundreds of others in a strange game of calculation and chance: counting one another, tracking movement, searching for patterns in chaos — all to guess the exact number of players when the whistle blows. The jackpot is almost never won. The game is a "ballet of reckoning and despair." But it is the only job Walter can find.
As father and daughter navigate this world of Brownian human motion, fleeting alliances, and the cold arithmetic of hope, the Ballroom becomes something more than a gambling den. It is a crucible where resilience is forged and where the bond between a father and his daughter is tested against the weight of a collapsing world.
The Ballroom is a work of quiet devastation and luminous humanity — a portrait of people who refuse to surrender even when every system around them has failed. With the precision of a mathematician and the soul of a poet, Boyarsky delivers a dystopian vision that is at once distinctly Montreal and urgently universal.
"It's about inference. About knowing how people move when they're hungry. About subtracting the ones who ghost out. It's as much about what you don't see."
Abraham Boyarsky is a Canadian novelist and mathematician whose literary career spans more than four decades. His novel Schielber (1982) received the Canadian League of Poets' Gerald Lambert Memorial Award, and The Number Hall won the Toronto Jewish Literary Prize in 1992. His 2019 novel Through Shadows Slow was awarded the national CJLA 2020 Award for Best Work of Fiction. He is also the author of The Chassidic Trauma Unit (2016, 8th House Publishing), The Ratcatcher (2006), A Gift of Rags (2015), and the short‑story collection A Pyramid of Time.
A professor of mathematics at Concordia University until his retirement, Boyarsky has authored or co‑authored over 145 research papers and the graduate‑level text Laws of Chaos. He lives and works in Montreal, where he continues to bridge the worlds of science and literature.
Find more from Abraham Boyarsky at 8th House Publishing: The Chassidic Trauma Unit and Through Shadows Slow.
| Title | The Ballroom |
| Author | Abraham Boyarsky |
| Genre | Literary Fiction / Dystopian / Jewish Fiction / Psychological Fiction |
| ISBN | 978‑1‑926716‑83‑1 |
| Pages | 232 |
| Price | $25.00 CAD |
| Format | Paperback |
| Publisher | 8th House Publishing |
| Release Date | May 22, 2026 |
BISAC Categories: FIC028010 (Dystopian) · FIC019000 (Literary) · FIC046000 (Jewish) · FIC066000 (Psychological)
The Ballroom will be available through all major online retailers and directly from the publisher:
Advance review copies (eARC) are available to accredited press, reviewers, and booksellers. For interview requests, excerpt permissions, or review copies, contact:
1‑888‑936‑3668
8th House Publishing publishes exemplary fiction, philosophy, esoterica, and other earnest works. Based in Montreal and New York, the press is distributed worldwide through Ingram, with a catalogue spanning literary fiction, philosophy and critical thought, esoteric and occult works, music and jazz studies, poetry, and non‑fiction.
Website: www.8thHousePublishing.com
Shop: shop.8thHousePublishing.com
Facebook: @8thHousePublishing
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Cover art: "The decaying ballroom's last dance." Author photo: Abraham Boyarsky, February 2020.
Montreal, April 1, 2026 — 8th House Publishing is delighted to announce that Steve Schlam's debut novel, The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane, has been reviewed by The Seaboard Review of Books, receiving thoughtful recognition for its ambition, lyrical prose, and innovative structure.
In a review published this week, critic John Oughton describes the book as "a promising and ambitious first novel" that "takes risky experiments with the novel’s conception and style." He notes that Schlam, an American actor and author, "writes some fine prose" and "gives credit for researching and depicting the era when pro wrestling became popular entertainment, its oversized heroes and villains serving up Punch and Judy shows on steroids. His descriptions of actual wrestling bouts, and the complicity between the competitors… are well conveyed."
The review also highlights the novel's homage to Faulkner's As I Lay Dying and its connection to the real‑life wrestler Haystacks Calhoun, whose legend inspired the protagonist's stage persona. Oughton observes that "the structure of the book is a homage to Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying," with narrative shifts that mirror the Mississippi master's technique.
The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane follows Herschel, a gentle, Jewish professional wrestler known as Haystacks, who lies comatose after a mysterious accident. The story unfolds through a stream‑of‑consciousness opening and subsequent chapters that alternate between the perspectives of his friends, family, and manager, all while returning to his hospital bed. At 348 pages, the novel explores themes of identity, memory, and the blurred line between dream and reality.
"We're thrilled to see Steve Schlam's work receive such a considered and appreciative reading," said a spokesperson for 8th House Publishing. "This review captures exactly what we admire in the book—its daring, its heart, and its deep engagement with literary tradition."
Readers are encouraged to read the full review on The Seaboard Review’s website:
https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the‑harvesting‑of‑haystacks‑kane‑steve‑schlam.
The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane (ISBN 978‑1‑926716‑70‑1, 348 pages, softcover) is available for purchase directly from the 8th House Publishing online shop at:
https://shop.8thhousepublishing.com/104‑the‑harvesting‑of‑haystacks‑kane.html, as well as through select retailers.
About 8th House Publishing
8th House Publishing publishes exemplary fiction, philosophy, esoterica and other earnest works from its offices in Montreal, Canada and New York, USA. For more information, visit https://8thhousepublishing.com or contact
Media Contact
8th House Publishing
1‑888‑936‑3668
We're proud to share that Steve Schlam, author of The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane, is the subject of an exclusive interview in the latest issue of Breakaway Magazine.
Titled “Steve Schlam: Life Lived Between Pages & Stages,” the feature explores Steve’s lifelong relationship with words, from his early days in the public libraries of Brooklyn to his work as both an author and actor. The interview highlights the influences that shaped his writing — including his time studying under Joseph Heller — and offers insight into the themes of his debut novel, The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane.
The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane follows a 607-pound professional wrestler in the final phase of his life as he revisits moments that defined him and searches for meaning, with motifs of hope, transformation, and transcendence evinced throughout.
Read the full interview:
https://breakawaydaily.com/steve-schlam/
8th House Publishing is pleased to announce that Gandhar K. Chakravarty, author of Kolkata Dreams and Maple Vedas, will be reading at the Accent Open Mic Series in Montréal.
Established in 2019, Accent Open Mic is a long-running bilingual poetry series and open mic, held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at Bar Le Record (7622 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal). The series brings together poets, writers, and performers from across the city in an inclusive and community-driven literary space.
Gandhar K. Chakravarty’s work explores themes of migration, memory, spirituality, and cultural identity. His poetry collections Kolkata Dreams and Maple Vedas reflect a transnational literary voice that bridges personal history and contemporary experience.
Event Location:
Bar Le Record
7622 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2R 2N6
For more information about the Accent Open Mic Series, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/accentopenmic
or https://accentopenmic.com
Sharjah, UAE – January 14, 2026 — 8th House Publishing is delighted to announce that Beatrice Lamwaka, celebrated editor and contributing author of An Anthology of East African Literature, will participate in the inaugural Sharjah Festival of African Literature taking place from January 24 to 27, 2025, at Sharjah University City in the United Arab Emirates.
Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and guided by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, the festival celebrates the breadth and diversity of African literary traditions. Themed “The Tale of Africa”, the four-day event will offer a rich programme of panel discussions, book talks, children’s workshops, music, cultural showcases, and opportunities for dialogue across literary communities.
Beatrice Lamwaka joins a remarkable roster of African and international writers at the festival, which brings together authors, intellectuals, and artists to explore the role of storytelling in cultural exchange and global understanding. Her presence highlights An Anthology of East African Literature in conversation with contemporary African voices and marks a significant moment for East African letters on the international stage.
We are proud to see Beatrice representing 8th House Publishing and our anthology at such a dynamic platform. Her participation underscores our commitment to amplifying literary voices that shape African and global narratives.
For more information about the Sharjah Festival of African Literature and the full programme, visit the official festival page:
https://www.theafricainstitute.org/institute-program/sfal2025/
https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bhs9weu-sharjah-african-literature-festival-begin-january
8th House Publishing is pleased to share that Authority Magazine has published an in-depth interview with Steve Schlam, author of The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane.
Titled “Steve Schlam On The 5 Things You Need to Know to Become a Great Author,” the interview explores Schlam’s approach to writing, the realities of the literary life, and the principles that continue to shape his work. The conversation offers insight not only for aspiring writers, but for readers interested in the thinking behind one of contemporary fiction’s most distinctive voices.
The full interview transcript is available on Medium and can be read here:
https://medium.com/authority-magazine/steve-schlam-on-the-5-things-you-need-to-know-to-become-a-great-author-fa3c331dc7c3
8th House Publishing is delighted to announce that The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane, the acclaimed novel by Steve Schlam, has been shortlisted for the 2025 Somerset Long List for Literary & Contemporary Fiction.
The Somerset Awards recognise outstanding contemporary writing, and inclusion on the long list places The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane among some of the most compelling literary work of the year. Since its publication, the novel has drawn praise for its originality, psychological depth, and fearless exploration of identity and power.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Steve Schlam and our thanks to the Somerset judges for this recognition. See the full list here.
We are thrilled to announce the publication of Estuaries, Tiago Silva’s powerful English translation of Soeiro Pereira Gomes’s Esteiros — one of the defining works of Portuguese neorealism.
“They were the sons of men who were never children…”
First published in 1941, Esteiros (Estuaries) is a haunting and poetic portrayal of child labor, poverty, and resilience in the industrial outskirts of Portugal. Written under a dictatorship, Soeiro Pereira Gomes’s novel gave voice to “the sons of men who were never children” — the working-class youth whose lives embodied both struggle and dignity.
Now, through Tiago Silva’s vivid and faithful translation, this masterpiece reaches the English-speaking world for the first time. Estuaries revives Pereira Gomes’s lyrical prose and unwavering social conscience, offering modern readers a story that feels as urgent today as it did more than eighty years ago.
With its blend of poetic realism and political courage, Estuaries reintroduces a forgotten Europe — and a timeless call for justice — to a new generation of readers.
“A lost gem of Portuguese resistance literature enters the English canon.”
“Essential reading for students of European history, literature of resistance, and post-colonial studies.”
“Tiago Silva brings this forgotten European classic into English with boldness, clarity, and compassion.”
Soeiro Pereira Gomes (1909–1949) was a leading voice of Portuguese neorealism — a literary movement that gave voice to workers, peasants, and the marginalized under Portugal’s dictatorship. His work blends poetic beauty with sharp political insight.
Tiago Silva is a literary translator and scholar of Lusophone literature. His translation of Estuaries brings to life the rhythm, resilience, and revolutionary spirit of Pereira Gomes’s original.
Estuaries is available now wherever books are sold.
Rediscover a classic that continues to speak truth to power — across languages, across generations.
Get your copy today!
We’re thrilled to share that The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane has been named a 2025 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite in the category of Literary Fiction!
New York, NY – September 2025 — The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane has been named a Distinguished Favorite in the category of Literary Fiction by the 2025 NYC Big Book Awards. This recognition places the novel among an elite group of titles celebrated for their creativity, storytelling, and contribution to the literary landscape.
In The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane, readers are introduced to Haystacks Kane, a 607-pound professional wrestler. He has been preyed upon, handled, his innate kindness and gentle good nature harvested by unscrupulous promoters, his conniving manager, an ex-wife, fellow denizens of the seamy netherworld he inhabits and the ravenous crowds with a thirst for violent cheap thrills--and even for blood. With prose both lyrical and unflinching, this novel is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant.
The NYC Big Book Awards annually recognize outstanding works from independent and mainstream publishers around the globe. Winners and Distinguished Favorites are selected across more than 100 categories, celebrating excellence in literature and publishing.
Join us and fellow honorees at the NYC Big Book Award Dinner as we celebrate this distinguished award in Newark on April 25, 2025. The event brings together authors, publishers, and literary professionals to celebrate the year’s most impactful works.
Award Listing: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2025-favorites/9781926716701
Awards Dinner Info: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/awardsdinner
This recognition affirms The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane as a work that not only entertains but endures, resonating deeply with readers and critics alike.
About the NYC Big Book Awards
The NYC Big Book Awards celebrate books from around the world that exemplify excellence across a wide range of categories. The program highlights works from independent authors and publishers alongside those from large, established houses, fostering recognition for diverse voices and perspectives.
Steve Schlam, author of The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane, has been featured in Shepherd’s series, The Best Books You’ve Never Read. In his curated list, Schlam highlights underappreciated literary novels that push boundaries and challenge convention, celebrating works that deserve a wider audience.
Read his selections here: Shepherd Feature
Shepherd’s Best Books project is dedicated to helping readers discover extraordinary books recommended by authors who know and love them. By pairing readers with titles that resonate on a deeper level, Shepherd fosters meaningful connections between authors, their inspirations, and new audiences.
Schlam’s own novel, The Harvesting of Haystacks Kane, was recently named a 2025 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite in Literary Fiction, further establishing him as a powerful voice in contemporary literature.
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