Books by Adam Dustus
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. (read reviews)
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 discover his identity in a place he doesn’t want to be, Skyview High School. Asylum is a story of teenage redemption, overcoming of self-blame and loss, and finding peace after the darkest hours of pain.
H.S. Asylum reveals 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 emerges 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 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 while immersing myself in literary form; and then broke from tradition. 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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My Books can now be ordered through Amazon.com
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Dustus Blog 
February 16, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Dear Adam,
I applaud you for your determination and strength in following your dreams. Too many of us fail to. Life is often harsh, so many dissappointments. We can only hope that we survive and learn from them, hopefully, never to make the same mistakes over and over.
It seems you have found your path—follow it. There will be a rainbow at the end, I truly believe it. You make me proud.
February 17, 2009 at 1:29 am
Thank you for your kind words.
–Adam
August 25, 2009 at 3:52 pm
[…] August 18, 2009 by Michael DuvallFiled under: Gadgets The following is a guest post by Adam Dustus who reviews his experience of reading his novel on Paperback vs. on the Amazon […]
August 28, 2009 at 4:45 pm
[…] Having a slightly pointed nose makes Jenny’s cheekbones appear higher. Also, she has long eyelashes. (excerpt from my first novel High School Asylum) […]
September 23, 2009 at 3:08 pm
[…] Books by Adam Dustus […]
September 25, 2009 at 1:17 am
[…] Adam Dustus guest blogs on WriteLikeCRAZY and is offering his new novel, High School Asylum, to one lucky random winner! Please read the rules at the end of this post for your chance to […]
November 7, 2009 at 8:33 pm
[…] poem upon the completion of my second novel. So this post will always be sentimental to me. Sounds from a House is about the vindication of a tortured people. This manuscript is currently unpublished. […]
November 15, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.
December 29, 2009 at 8:33 am
That is very true. Appreciate your comment 🙂
December 23, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I am not new to blogging and really treasure your web site. There is much original subject that peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your internet site and keep checking you out.
January 2, 2010 at 10:00 am
That’s nice of you to say. Thank you.
March 9, 2010 at 10:54 am
You’ve published a few books? Great! I’m still working on my first. I always think I’m almost done, then I find there’s something it’s missing. Now, from a few people I trust, it’s my characters that need dusting. I can do everything else, plot’s great, concept’s great, now someone had the courage to tell me this. I wish someone had sad something for the last three years. The same person also said I need to put the same passion from my poetry blog into the characters. I can’t think of how to do that. Any suggestions?
March 9, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Hi Michele. Awesome, thanks for leaving a comment. Well, I think that’s good advice you received. How to do that? It has to do with one’s overall artistic intention and how you approach it; which varies. However, I see writing fiction as a creative balance of passion and perceptions. But there has to be a bigger goal, perhaps allegory, something to point out through subtle use of language. Write like your perceiving everything you describe with new eyes. Experiment with sensory phrases. The work itself can be secondary to the joy of creating. I love the challenge of stretching the meaning of seemingly mundane expressions. That keeps things fresh for me. I hope that energy shows in my work lol More so, I hope this ramble made sense. Cheers 🙂
April 13, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Hi Adam,
Are there any copies of this book in England? The summary looks extremely interesting and I’d love to read the story, but my debit card doesn’t allow me to order goods in dollars, unfortunately.
June 12, 2010 at 11:03 am
Wow, must have missed this comment. Sorry, Lawrence. At this time, the best way to order my books is through Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Adam%20Dustus
June 13, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Good, I’ll look into it. Would really like to read High School Asylum.
June 13, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I appreciate your support. Let me know what you think of the book, Lawrence.
cheers
January 6, 2011 at 6:01 am
In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own weblog now.
January 6, 2011 at 9:56 am
Thank you. Best of luck with your new blog 🙂
January 14, 2011 at 4:56 pm
Great site! I come here all of the time! Keep up the great work!
January 27, 2011 at 2:34 am
I really like your writing style : D