Too Harsh For Pastels is a 100 page poetry book in paperback with a price of $15.00 ISBN 9389690226, through Cyberwit Publishing. The Kindle version is $2.99 Available through all major retailers. For  information or to request a review copy, c0ntact: cyberwit@gmail.com ​

​Life After Schizophrenia breaks down the theory, or thought form schizophrenia into many different levels starting with the opening essay which is titled, "Schizophrenia: Real or Imagined." The science known as ontology which delineates the bases of existence is a device used to further scrutinize schizophrenia from the oblique angle of those diagnosed, or as put in the book misdiagnosed as per misconstrued symptoms which are spiritual or religious in origin.


Individuals many times are taken against their will to mental health offices and even institutionalized for deviant thoughts which are in turn verbalized and which are in all of actuality the subconscious surfacing and in effect initiating pansophism in the individual which is as C.G. Jung has put it the ultimate objective of man as an individual and as a whole.


The hindering of pansophism and even corporeal atonement with one's subconscious is perpetuated through the misplaced faith systems of many a mental health professional; and within the pages of Life After Schizophrenia lies the collinear processes of the how and the why regarding the so called schizophrenic thought form, its prevalence, and its transforming into hysteria, but also incorporates the causation of supposed schizophrenic ideas on individualistic, societal, spiritual, and even religious levels.

​Most of the stories in this collection revolve around one theme: the need to change, to rebel, or to be courageous. Inevitably this means conflict with tradition, authority, or the status quo. The people in these stories do not sit still and wait for others to make the changes. They are, in different ways and degrees, activists, even if the change is so subtle only they may know it. The choices may be social, political, personal, spiritual or romantic. They can involve people of all ages, races, and religions. But the need to transform relationships, regimes, systems, traditions, and habits is common throughout. Of course, for each person who stands up for principles or who rebels against the old ways, there is a cost, sometimes a very steep cost.

Three women get caught in a murder investigation that leads them down the dark path of supernatural mystery and mayhem. They uncover a conspiracy between local police and the nuclear industries during their research. The story will leave you hanging as the details pile up and the women discover what they must do to restore order to the scene.

The book is available here: https://tinyurl.com/y6cubfsv

You can buy copies from the author which he will sign and personalize for ten dollars via Paypal to desireofdogs@gmail.com. Get them while supplies last!

This fabulous and unique cover art is by Ammi Romero!

​George Cassidy Payne was born in Oneonta, NY, grew up in several towns in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains, and eventually settled in Rochester, NY. He received a BA from St. John Fisher College, MA from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, and MTS from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. A Time Before Teachers is his first book of collected poems.


Payne’s poetry has appeared in many journals, magazines, and anthologies, including Cholla Needles, The Adirondack Almanac, Mojave He{art}t Review, MORIA Poetry Journal, Ampersand Literary Review, Front Porch Review, Chronogram Magazine, Talker of the Town, Zingara Poetry Review, Ovi Magazine, River Poets Journal, Adelaide, Ink, Sweat, and Tears, Califragile, Deep South Magazine, Amethyst Review, From the Edge Poetry Magazine, and others. His blogs, essays, and letters to the editor, have appeared in national and international publications such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Toronto Sun, the Havana Times, the Atlantic, and Rolling Stone.
In 2010 he was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
A Way Out

the cloth of the cosmos
came undone at the seams—undone
like a bootleg Gucci handbag

the Pope declared heaven is not real and
Saturn was sucked into the belly of a black hole,

as all semblance of order evaporated into
the organic air of an American Spirit cigarette--
the dark green pack with that mild, additive-free taste

the glacier ice caps melted,
Capitalism collapsed
as all Hell broke loose

today, for the first time, my son climbed out of his crib


+++
An Age Before Teachers

A time before teachers. When
no one taught them how to
fashion wood into tools.

They just did, turning a shoulder
into shovels, and intestines into rafts.

A time before teachers. When thoughts
and Time leaned towards the magic of God.

1. The review will continue - even though it is not easy to keep up with everything, I have got really attached to it

2. An anniversary issue will be soon online. 

3. I apologize for replying with delay to emails, but there are so many that I can't keep up. However, be assured, everyone will have a reply. 

4. I have lots of request for reviews for books. From now on, because I can't read so many books (you know, full time job, family, my own writing, magazine, my own reading etc), I will review only certain books, after checking it on Amazon (or wherever the book is published). I will let you know if I want to do it, and the reviews will be $ 25 (cannot guarantee a favorable review, of course; however, I can guarantee that the review will be placed on Amazon (or the respective online shop), on Scarlet Leaf Review (I will create a special page for reviews) and on my blog. 

5. Bad news - Treasure Chest turned out being a flop. Not even one person was interested in acquiring a copy. I feel bad for the authors who hoped more from it. 
Therefore, it will be discontinued. 

6. Next print issue will appear at the end of January. 

​Don't forget, hover with the mouse over 2019 and find December. There, you will find a drop-down menu, and you can choose Poems, Short-Stories or Non-fiction. On the right side of the page, under categories, you will find the names of the authors. If you click on them, you will get to the piece you would like to read. 

Enjoy!

Roxana Nastase
Editor in Chief