Susan Wojnar
Singer - Songwriter - Poet
White Darkness
Poetic Tales of the Schizophrenic Experience
By Susan Wojnar
A Daring Testament to the Mind’s Unseen Battles: White Darkness: Poetic Tales of the Schizophrenic Experience.
With 25 years of lived experience with Schizophrenia, Susan Wojnar’s book debut transcends the traditional boundaries of memoir, diagnosis, and verse, to offer readers a profoundly human window into the experience of psychosis. With raw honesty, stark imagery, and a lyrical voice that sings even in silence, White Darkness dares readers— caregivers, mental health professionals, those who struggle with mental health issues and everyday people alike—to step inside a fragmented yet beautifully defiant world.
A Unique Voice from the Intersection of Creativity and Mental Health
Susan Wojnar is not only a poet, but a professional singer-songwriter and a social worker who holds a Master’s degree in English. Her work in mental health care, combined with her personal experiences and artistic insight, has shaped White Darkness into a rare gem that speaks from both lived and observed truth. Her professional background lends the collection both authenticity and emotional depth. Readers are not only exposed to the gripping inner experiences of psychosis and recovery—they are also given a rare and compassionate view from the front lines of mental health care.
A Resource for Readers, Healers, and Those Struggling with Mental Health Issues,
White Darkness stands at a crucial intersection: art and advocacy. The book is a powerful discovery for readers who have experienced psychosis, know someone who has, or work in caregiving or clinical settings. The stories don’t just describe the chaos of mental illness— they reveal the moments of clarity, resilience, and even joy that can live within the darkest experiences.
Susan is available for interviews, presentations, discussions, readings, podcasts, etc by contacting her directly at 330-953-9330 or at music4enrichment.com. Complimentary copies of the book for reviewing purposes are available upon request.
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. 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.”
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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, family and friends, 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.