Hello to everyone who’s subscribed and everyone who’s stumbled on to this Substack.
If you’re reading this, you probably know me. For those who don’t, let me introduce myself. My name is Ben Arzate. I’m an author from Des Moines, IA. Some of my published books include the novels Music is Over!, Elaine, and The Story of the Y. I also wrote the poetry books the sky is black and blue like a battered child and dr. sodom and mrs. gomorrah. I’ve also published a number of short pieces, most of which can be purchased on Godless.
I’m also a reviewer of books. Mainly, I’m a regular contributor to the website Cultured Vultures. I also occasionally post reviews on the Malarkey Books website. I also have several reviews up on my main blog, days slip away like drips from a leaking faucet. This Substack shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for the blog, but rather a supplement.
Here, I plan to post reviews that don’t fit elsewhere. I also plan to continue a column that I had on other websites, The Unreprinted, where I look at books that are completely out of print and determine if they’re worth bringing back.
I also plan to post news, sample chapters, stories, poetry, and experimental texts here. I may even get more ambitious and serialize a longer book here. I rarely plan anything, but it’s worked out for me so far.
I hope you enjoy reading the feel bad dispatch and please subscribe if you haven’t.