Susan Wojnar
Singer - Songwriter - Poet
White Darkness
Poetic Tales of the Schizophrenic Experience
By Susan Wojnar
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
White Darkness: Poetic Tales of the Schizophrenic Experience offers readers a profoundly human window into the experience of Schizophrenia. With raw honesty and stark imagery, White Darkness invites readers—Behavioral Health Specialists, Doctors, Caregivers, Family Members, those struggling with mental health issues and anyone interested in behavioral health, schizophrenia, psychosis and recovery—to learn about a fragmented but beautifully defiant world. The book is intended to build bridges of understanding and compassion for those that struggle with Schizophrenia, hallucinations, thought disorders, psychosis, paranoia, disruptive behaviors, medication Russian Roulette, and navigating behavioral health facilities. Though living a full and active life, Susan still struggles with episodes and symptoms. However, armed with her deep spirituality, dedication to overall wellness and staying motivated, support of family and friends and a very compassionate doctor, she keeps on keeping on. There IS life after schizophrenia!
Starz On the water
By Susan Wojnar
Cutting her musical teeth in such notable all-girl bands as the pop-oriented The Heartbeats, the hard rock Pranksters, the bluesy harmonica & guitar duo PixE, and Susan and the R&B group Cold Sweat, Susan Wojnar is a singer-songwriter who has come into her own. Starz on the Water is Susan Wojnar’s 3rd CD release. She is backed by the air-tight and inspiring musicianship of Sam Orrico, on drums, Bill Fischer on lead guitar, and Tom Meckling on bass. Her songs address social issues, “slices of life,” and of course, matters of the heart. Susan’s powerful and soulful voice has been described as “strong enough to light up an entire neighborhood.” Ms. Wojnar’s diverse musical influences can be heard on the jazzy, “Show Me,” the flat-out rock anthem, “Right Love Wrong Time,” the folksy “Seeing Everything at the Same Time,” the down and dirty bluesy “Underground Winter Blues,” and the ephemeral “Lilo’s Dream.” Out of such diversity, she creates her unique voice.
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Reviews:
“Susan Wojnar and Company have that “vibe” that few groups possess. Cool songs, beautiful vocals, and great chemistry. Start on the Water is exactly what your ears have been searching for.”
- Cornel Bogden, Host of Tangled Up in Blues, Y103
“From the disorienting (White Darkness) opening, the reader is plunged into a world that can't be trusted--voices, apparitions, and snapping social bonds.”
- Karen Shubert, author of The Compost Reader
“Dark and Magnetic imagery (White Darkness).”
- Jim Villani, Poet, Publisher at Pig Iron Press
“Starz on the Water, by Susan Wojnar and Company is anything but passive music. Delivered with a voice and musicianship that grab the listeners by the ear.”
- Guy Destalfo, Entertainment Editor, Business Journal
“(White Darkness is) An open-hearted, GUT-WRENCHING journey of a life coping with mental illness.”
- Dot Haflinger Martin, Community Programmer at WRUW, Cleveland, and premier patron of the arts
“The tunes on Starz on the Water are acoustically oriented with some sharp, blazing guitar leads that add an extra edge to Susan’s already edgy voice. Her voice has a pungency that is part blues, part punk, part ballsy night club singer that is all her own.”
- Charlie Weiner, author, singer-songwriter, and comedian, Cleveland, OH
“In the pines of this book are visions, shadows, angels, demons, witches, insects and humans turning into floor lamps. I recommend entering the strangely contorted pages of this book.”
- Juliet Cook, poet, artist and author of Malformed Confetti, Crisis Chronicles Press
About SuSaN
As a Northeast Ohio musician/writer Susan Wojnar has been composing and performing music and poetry for over 30 years. She is very fond of cooking, gardening, books, writing, music, swimming, running, nature, the theatre, The Great Lakes, family time and cats. She is definitely fond of cats. She still struggles with Schizophrenia but through her spirituality, belief in herself, personal drive, family and friends, and a great doctor, she keeps on keeping on. She wants you to know that you can too.
MS. Wojnar is available as a musical performer and for poetry readings. She is also available as a guest speaker for any groups or organizations interested in learning more about the realities of psychosis and hope for successfully living with it.
Both the book and CD are dedicated to my son Skylar Slavik, for his lifetime of support, interest, and love.