David Shams is a writer and photographer currently based in Warsaw. Topics and genres of interest include narrative non-fiction, soccer, Liverpool FC, street photography, food, wine, beer, nature, and cultural nuances. His debut novel, A Thousand Touches, is set to be published on November 24, 2026.
A Thousand Touches
David’s debut coming-of-age novel officially launches this November. Visit the dedicated novel page at the link above. Read the synopsis, watch for dedicated updates, and sign up for launch alerts.
Be the very first to get behind-the-scenes updates on David’s upcoming novel, including cover reveals, release dates, and exclusive excerpts. Once a week, David will send fresh essays from his Substack, along with a curated list of his latest articles and interviews.
Early Reviews for A Thousand Touches
“David Shams’ new novel is a rich portrayal of what it was like to grow up as the hyphenated child of an Iranian immigrant and a local woman in a small southern town…The relationships, particularly between the hero and his immigrant dad, are portrayed with nuance and will resonate for millions of other 'hyphenated' people…There are also insights into Iran, the country the hero's father fled and that has unfortunately been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons.”
—Barbara Slavin, Author of Bitter Friends, Bosom Enemies
“I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel that so accurately captured what it feels like to live a hyphenated life. Entire passages felt less like fiction and more like someone had somehow transcribed conversations from my own childhood.”
—Elly Shariat
“A story driven by the drama of young love and a father character who is impossible to ignore. Dr. Soltani annoyed me and entertained me in equal measure, making him one of the most compelling figures in the book. I hope thousands of people out there get to enjoy this narrative like I did.”
—Lex Sonne, Author and Writing Coach
“A bittersweet, witty and human story of a hyphenated teenage life, offering an intimate window into the experience of growing up Iranian-American, a very different experience from my own of moving to the States just before turning 30. It took me a little while to get on the ride, but once I did, I couldn’t put the book down. We come away with a touching sense of the many lives and experiences that make up the American story. And, of course, you’ll need to tolerate the constant temptation of bourbon along the way, for obvious reasons!”
—Hadi Nili, Host and Producer for BBC Persian