Welcome to Brain Stemmed Roses

Please,  do me the courtesy of recognizing the fact that I am an excellent  writer who is developing a following in a difficult genre.

Besides  being a poet, I have worked as an artist, photographer, proofreader  (pre spell check!), bindery foreman and editor.  (Believe me - THAT's  the short list!)

My participation in the production of these  books has been very hands on and the peculiarities of publishers or  editors have become irrelevant in view of the fact that first last and  always, these books had to meet my own standards.

Not only am I  the author, but I am the final editor and these books finally went to  press with my approval.  I also did the basic cover designs that you see  and approve wholeheartedly of how the art department finalized  those  designs.

Karl Stuart Kline  is one of the best authors available under the Publish America imprint  and has been one of their authors designated as a "Featured Author."   His books are also some of those that are available from them on a  returnable basis.

His uniquely effective blend of prose, poetry  and story telling abilities has produced two books that pull the reader  along with them as they relate modern real life tragedies in first  person verse, making the reader a part of the stories that they tell.   That evaluation is reinforced by Expository Magazine's review of his  first book, Poison Pearls, where the first paragraph is as follows:

"Poison Pearls  is a vivid mix of poetry and prose about slavery, forced labor and  prostitution.  In this collection of poetry, Kline masterfully conveys  the hopelessness and desperation that must be felt by so many women and  children who are forced into slavery and prostitution around the world."

Victoria Smith, editor in chief of Expository Magazine, was the author of the review.

Poison Pearls (ISBN 1-4137-1502-8) is his first book and is still available in it's first edition imprint.

Karl's web sites, www.scaredsafe.com and www.scaredsafe.org are a continuation of the use of the power of poetry in the fight with Human Trafficking that began with this book.  Since it's inception, the web site has attracted thousands of readers from over a hundred countries!

Going Without Peggy (ISBN 1-4137-7178-5) 
Accepted in two categories for the 2006 Pulitzer Prize competition.
(As a book of verse and as a biography.)  A VERY special book!