Dustus' Blog

High School Asylum

High School Asylum is my first novel, and I am extremely proud of it. I believe that my “writing voice” clearly emerged while creating this story. I’d like to think that it is a novel that both adults and kids can enjoy, for totally different reasons of course. While it takes a raw unfiltered look at some of the worst aspects of the American educational system, one will also find the very best of human qualities in a teenager struggling to find his own identity in a place that he doesn’t want to be, Skyview High School. Asylum is a story of teenage redemption, overcoming of self-blame and loss, and finding yourself during your darkest hours of pain. A fellow writer whom I respect defined H.S. Asylum as “an experimental, artistic rendering of a teenager’s life at the onset of the 21st century.” I think that sounds like an apt description.

H.S. Asylum is about the life of freshman Arthur Newman, a precocious teenage who returns to public school after being home schooled for his 8th grade year due to family tragedy and surviving a near-death experience. Through his battle with depression and readjustment to the chaos of Skyview High, Arthur comes to understand more than just the realities of social cliques and alienation. His determined resilience begins to emerge out of his creative spirit, as well as his longing to break free of the insanity he perceives in the suburban New Jersey city that he reluctantly wants to call his home.

About the Cover

The cover illustration is by Keven Lupien, a Toronto artist who specializes in amazing print and web design. So if you like the Asylum cover as much as I do, go check out some more of Keven’s work @ http://www.2pitch.com

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In & Out of Line poetry by Adam Dustus

Over the last few years, I‘ve gone through many changes as an artist, as well as in my personal life. More than being a collection of my first poetic pieces, this book is a personal triumph for me. I was able to bare my soul in musical flow all my own, maintaining a unique theme of immersing myself in literary form and then breaking from tradition, thus writing “In & Out of Line” in the sense of form. This book is a balance of free form, sonnets, villanelles, and experiment.

About the Cover

With some help along the way, I am happy to say that I designed this cover myself. The art department at Infinity Publishing reassembled my mock-up to fit their printing specifications. However, I owe a debt of gratitude to greater Lansing area artist Chad Bennett. Chad came up with a pretty cool typographical concept, which Infinity added to my overall design.

Check out Chad Bennett’s artist profile and work @ http://www.absolutearts.com/portfolio/i/illusions

The Official Website of Chad Bennett: http://www.illusions-art.com

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Sounds From A House (unpublished novel)

It is my sincere pleasure to announce the completion of my second novel entitled Sounds From A House.

It is an epic saga of a Ukrainian refugee family who survives slave labor. In essence, Sounds From A House is the story about the triumph and tragedy of humanity, becoming “an American,” and finding peace after living through a personal hell. It is also a story about a succeeding generation.  Sounds From a House is a novel about discovering peace, both personal and societal.

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