Violet Haze

by Jason Dias

Jason Dias is an existential psychologist and novelist. These poems, compiled over the past seven years, follow his progress out of alienation and into humanity.

82 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2017

About the author

Jason Dias is a neurodivergent existential psychologist - that is, an autistic man whose fascination with the human condition led him to an advanced degree in said condition.​

His work in speculative fiction is united by literary, existential themes. Rather than publish scholarly works to be read only by scholars who already agree with the author, Jason's early obsession with Asimov, Heinlein, and later Stephen King showed him another way to express philosophical thoughts. Novels and short stories are more accessible than academic journals.

Besides, he's been known to say, "If I have a choice between writing in APA style and being punched in the face, I ask, 'How hard?'"

Central to his existentialist philosophy is the notion that hope is only possible through despair. If we are unwilling to engage with truth and our harder emotions, our hope is merely wishful thinking.

"It doesn't really get better," he says. "But we do."

Reviews

[Cassondra Windwalker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost feel this book is a secret I should keep, a confidence I should not betray. Unlike confessional poetry, this collection doesn't overwhelm the reader with a glut of emotion but instead draws the reader down the corridors of the poet's soul. Doors are opened, dresser drawers turned out, and often each answer found only leads to another question. There is an intimacy of thought here, a journey with no singular quest, permission to explore every wound open and scarred. I felt befriended as I read, and I was reminded of Rilke's concept of solitudes in company with one another. Perhaps the reader cannot truly understand, but here, among these pages, she is welcome to ask the questions, anyway.