tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15192353543163308422024-03-18T21:05:24.285-07:00days slip away like drips from a leaking faucetBen Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-17851926058001910482024-02-06T10:29:00.000-08:002024-02-06T10:29:11.354-08:00Get the Guide in Paperback Now<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YxAVR5mRMQzvyqyjklull2EwlZbiOEB-QKQQWs-Rn14_xvHqk13H1JSeg7c4umxNCaxWTPyKK2L_qEZktsyNWp8_Ty1tnDVr-Ue8hmt69IyUv7eaeQpewzvT2QxtGI8dDRlV5zvPpnr4O-oXEoNPrraKi6bpIgc9lYfvQ4y3HhV3UiQzoe3szasKgJNs/s2560/tcigtsgb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YxAVR5mRMQzvyqyjklull2EwlZbiOEB-QKQQWs-Rn14_xvHqk13H1JSeg7c4umxNCaxWTPyKK2L_qEZktsyNWp8_Ty1tnDVr-Ue8hmt69IyUv7eaeQpewzvT2QxtGI8dDRlV5zvPpnr4O-oXEoNPrraKi6bpIgc9lYfvQ4y3HhV3UiQzoe3szasKgJNs/s320/tcigtsgb.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>The Kindle and paperback editions of <i>The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saying Goodbye</i> are now available. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Saying-Goodbye-ebook/dp/B0CV2CXYLD">Get it on Kindle</a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV42GN8J">Get the paperback</a></p><p></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-67061787668099433562024-01-25T14:47:00.000-08:002024-01-25T14:47:18.267-08:00Brief Thoughts 33<p><b> <i>Spaniels </i>by Jukka Siikala </b></p><p>Jukka Siikala is primarily known as a visual artist. Throughout the years, he's done cover art mostly for black metal and power electronics artists. His work is wide-ranging, covering painting, collage, photography, music, and video. <i>Spaniels</i>, as far as I can tell, is his first work of fiction. The first few pages even includes some photographs by Siikala that capture the mood of the text. </p><p>This slim novella follows several days in the life of an unnamed man. He goes to the movies, hangs out with friends, goes on vacation, fails to get laid, fails to masturbate, and indulges in violent and perverted fantasies. He meets a woman at a flea market who he develops a fixation (it feels wrong to call it a "crush") on and fails to make a real connection with her. </p><p>The novella reminded me a lot of Michel Houellebecq. It's a bleak portrayal of masculinity in the modern world. The man, as the book calls him, is completely alienated from everyone around him. He believes himself to be unattractive and can't connect romantically or sexually with women, substituting with fantasy and pornography. His relationship with his friends is indifferent at best and antagonistic at worst. There are also moments of great dark humor, such as the man creating a rift with his aunt while fixing her computer because he accidently leaves behind a flash drive with porn videos on it</p><p>The deeper glimpses into the man's life reveal an even bleaker picture. At one point, he visits his father, only to find he's a drunk, non-verbal stupor and there's little he can do. One of the first things the man thinks about is how, years ago, a friend of his called his face "dog-like" and that he would never get a woman with it. This insult haunts him. The title comes from the man envisioning his superego as the face of a Spaniel dog; a whiney, submissive thing. </p><p>The man spends time with friends of dubious character, but seems to have no one else to go to. At one point he hangs out with another man who he describes as being so openly sexist, he's surprised women don't just immediately beat him with their purses. He insists on talking about immigration and how horrible Muslim men are to women. </p><p>The book switches from third to first person when the man indulges in his fantasies, usually of a violent nature. These often involve graphically murdering people in public for perceived slights and sometimes for no reason at all. At one point, he even replays a fantasy of beating two young men with how it would probably really go, ending with him bleeding on the floor. </p><p>At one point, the man sees a woman working in a flea market and is instantly attracted to her. His admiration of her is not at all subtle, and after to returning to see her again, it becomes obvious what he's doing. He does manage to strike a conversation with her when he offers to help with a printer the store is having trouble with. While the narrative doesn't state so, it's very likely this doesn't go anywhere. </p><p>The entire final chapter of the book is one of the man's fantasies. It's an almost pornographic description of an encounter with the woman at the flea market in the store's bathroom. However, the unrealistic fantasy is accompanied by the man nearly failing to have the encounter due to his own hesitation. It even ends on a sour note of the man's climax being ruined when her gaze reminds him of a Spaniel.</p><p><i>Spaniels </i>is a dark, often funny, and often depressing look at modern life. It examines desire and how one is forced to navigate it with frustrating and unsatisfying results. Much like Siikala's other art, it's not for everyone, but it's a rewarding experience. </p><p><a href="https://www.infinitylandpress.com/spaniels">Buy <i>Spaniels </i>by Jukka Siikala here.</a></p><p><b><i>Sweet, Sour, & Spicy</i> by Bridgett Nelson </b></p><p>This is a collection of three horror stories corresponding to the title.</p><p>"Sweet: Bark Off" - A young man fights ghosts haunting him and his family with the help of his pugs. This is a cute and fluffy story. Pretty sentimental, but still a fun read.</p><p>"Sour: Giggly" - A therapist finds her patients are being targeted by a serial killer who loves torturing his victims with a Gigli saw. Man, I did not like this one at all. It does have some vivid and brutal murder scenes that are well done, but I didn't buy the plot at all. Especially the final twist. It also, unintentionally, I'm pretty sure, plays into some very ugly and dated attitudes. </p><p>"Spicy: Rewards" - An erotic horror tale about two couples who go to a cabin for a weekend of naughty fun when things take a nasty turn for the worse. This one had some good build up and went in a different direction than I was expecting from the cabin in the woods set up. A much better extreme horror story that the previous one.</p><p></p><p>To nitpick a bit, there were also several word and dialogue choices I found awkward throughout all three stories. I did, however, enjoy this enough that I'll probably pick up one of Nelson's other books in the near future.</p><p><a href="https://bridgettnelsonhorror.bigcartel.com/product/sweet-sour-spicy">Buy Sweet, Sour, & Spicy here.</a></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-61912482827238640752024-01-24T08:19:00.000-08:002024-01-24T08:19:02.467-08:00Re-Release Day: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Saying Goodbye<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7PJ_nSuze46zq_CKjrx2gCC3R_pyvA-mo4DKqmsgOqwmoBN2Aalch-XipUBHm9nWheIADNsm91jnQJb4178eF2aE-64dIa7MfOVqD19yUJ0801tSymYaelYC1VBHbsMVH4xt2k0TNIPAP6DQocsc4aJrIQD8RYPe2d6SXSs813cf4Rbi76f93oPgwWRv/s2560/tcigtsgb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7PJ_nSuze46zq_CKjrx2gCC3R_pyvA-mo4DKqmsgOqwmoBN2Aalch-XipUBHm9nWheIADNsm91jnQJb4178eF2aE-64dIa7MfOVqD19yUJ0801tSymYaelYC1VBHbsMVH4xt2k0TNIPAP6DQocsc4aJrIQD8RYPe2d6SXSs813cf4Rbi76f93oPgwWRv/w250-h400/tcigtsgb.jpg" width="250" /></a></p><p>My debut short story collection, <i>The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Saying Goodbye</i>, is back in print. It was originally published back in 2018 by a small Utah-based outfit called NihilismRevised. They were a press that burned bright before fading out.</p><p>Now, after a couple years out of print, this collection of weird, funny, depressing, and experimental stories is back through feel bad all the time, the same people who bring you the feel bad dispatch.</p><p>As of this post going out, it’s exclusively an ebook through <a href="http://Godless.com">Godless.com</a>. However, it will be available on Kindle and in paperback on Amazon in about two weeks.</p><p>A special thanks to Drew Stepek for the platform on Godless and to Regina Watts for doing the interior layout and typesetting.</p><p><a href="https://godless.com/collections/ben-arzate/products/the-complete-idiots-guide-to-saying-goodbye-by-ben-arzate-1">Buy <i>The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Saying Goodbye</i> here.</a></p><p></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-51879257154295861372023-12-29T07:52:00.000-08:002023-12-29T08:04:20.801-08:00Top Ten Reads of 2023<p>Here are my favorite books that I read in 2024. As usual, these are book I read, not necessarily books released in 2024. </p><p><b>10. <i>Mother Howl</i> by Craig Clevenger <br /></b><br />A highly memorable crime story about lost identity. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/past-scars-and-present-abscesses">Full review here.</a></p><p><b>9. <i>Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay</i> by Elena Ferrante </b><br /></p><p>Elena Ferrante writes about the beauty and horror of life with one of the keenest eyes in contemporary literature. </p><p><b>8. </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Sea of the Patchwork Cats</i><b> by Carlton Mellick III</b><br /><br />One of Mellick's more dream-like stories, also one of his most melancholy. A depressed alcoholic finds himself alone after the entire human race committed suicide. It only gets odder and sadder from there. </p><p><b>7. <i>Generation X</i> by Douglas Coupland</b><br /></p><p>I'd been pretty lukewarm on what I'd read from Coupland before. This story of disaffected Gen-Xers, however, very much lives up to the hype. </p><p><b>6. <i>Marshal Law: Fear and Loathing</i> by Pat Mills and Kevin O'Neill </b></p><p>Before <i>The Boys</i>, there was Marshal Law. An early parody/deconstruction of superhero comics that holds up better than ever. </p><p><b>5. <i>The Passenger/Stella Maris</i> by Cormac McCarthy </b><br /></p><p>McCarthy's final word to the world was amazing. The two books are companions, so I'm counting them as one. </p><p><b>4. <i>Notice </i>by Heather Lewis </b><br /></p><p>A pitch-black noir story about addiction, prostitution, and abuse. I reviewed this one for my <i>The Unreprinted</i> column, and I'm happy to say Semiotext(e) is bringing it back into print next year. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/the-unreprinted-notice-by-heather">Full review here.</a> </p><p><b>3. <i>The Works of Guillaume Dustan, Vol. 1</i> by Guillaume Dustan </b><br /></p><p>Dustan invites us into his life in Paris, one haunted by the specter of the AIDS crises as a gay man in the 90's. The results captured in these three short novels are honest, fascinating, and gripping. </p><p><b>2. <i>Haunter/Soma</i> by Charlee Jacob </b><br /></p><p>This poetic novel of imperialism and religious horror sets the bar for extreme horror and splatterpunk very high. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/the-unreprinted-hauntersoma-by-charlee">Full review here.</a> </p><p><b>1. <i>Your Dreams</i> by Thomas Moore<br /></b></p><p>Thomas Moore's work continues to simultaneously be some of the most disturbing and the most tender and affectionate that I've ever read. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/disassociation-and-fantasy-your-dreams">Full review here.</a> </p><p><b>Honorable Mentions</b><br />- <i>Spaniels </i>by Jukka Siikala<br />- <i>The Shards</i> by Bret Eason Ellis<br />- <i>The Enchanters</i> by James Ellroy<br />- <i>The Man in My Basement</i> by Walter Mosley <br />- <a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/new-visions-of-excess-neo-decadence"><i>Neo-Decadence Evangelion</i>, edited by Justin Isis</a></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-32590955759261805232023-08-11T12:05:00.001-07:002023-08-11T12:05:20.453-07:00The Signal Spreads<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk6D-Do_nc7gkouc7_xxF-3W0vfw41dleaBrqUZbpRvdNFrYBN9Lc_OFQejaQV_tUP-viB7FjFdDFTyzdPmavd9jJMMVy69n8cnSpBWtqzhVU95H3uDAVGq8sZ04tjkqNDg036fHPbQ7Ui3uR7jvxHzI6p3EPVLPoIBFA4_quRxF_hGF7tZJ0cl0slhpF/s2184/SMMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2184" data-original-width="1456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIk6D-Do_nc7gkouc7_xxF-3W0vfw41dleaBrqUZbpRvdNFrYBN9Lc_OFQejaQV_tUP-viB7FjFdDFTyzdPmavd9jJMMVy69n8cnSpBWtqzhVU95H3uDAVGq8sZ04tjkqNDg036fHPbQ7Ui3uR7jvxHzI6p3EPVLPoIBFA4_quRxF_hGF7tZJ0cl0slhpF/s320/SMMC.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><i>Saturday Morning Mind Control</i> is now available on Amazon. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1959778617">Get the paperback here.</a> <br /></p><p>or</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saturday-Morning-Mind-Control-Arzate-ebook/dp/B0CFD281DP">Get it on Kindle here.</a> </p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-89674811812447971402023-07-28T08:21:00.000-07:002023-07-28T08:21:14.983-07:00Release Day: Saturday Morning Mind Control<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycHHP1ZST2Sp3JifYSV0hd20cgGadR5bvLNzo7gA1OQfDLjreF61qcu_DurdWLiPUj43zV2e-RFaoKWBGiKwT5Qk-C8jfyR1IUt_e1tYwJo4Dhb3czqbCgjmbQP1UtH7QC9w4w_nP10o9XBmbUgeKvS76L2p3Tk79zXW8DTCxro3Y4B4_8_LeGG8EWtzU/s2184/SMMC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2184" data-original-width="1456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycHHP1ZST2Sp3JifYSV0hd20cgGadR5bvLNzo7gA1OQfDLjreF61qcu_DurdWLiPUj43zV2e-RFaoKWBGiKwT5Qk-C8jfyR1IUt_e1tYwJo4Dhb3czqbCgjmbQP1UtH7QC9w4w_nP10o9XBmbUgeKvS76L2p3Tk79zXW8DTCxro3Y4B4_8_LeGG8EWtzU/w266-h400/SMMC.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>“What really killed Saturday morning cartoons?</i></p><p><i>For Caleb, dealing with puberty and all the changes that come with the raging hormones is confusing enough without also living in an America still reeling from the tragedy of 9/11. When his young cousin attacks him with a knife, seemingly without provocation, it turns his whole life upside down. Who would believe a middle school boy that something strange came from the TV that Saturday morning and made it happen?</i></p><p><i>Saturday Morning Mind Control is a mix of horror, mystery, and satire combined with a twisted coming-of-age tale in an America entering the new millennium.”</i></p><p>My newest novel, published by <a href="https://dandtpublishing20.wixsite.com/dtpublishing">D&T Publishing</a>, is now available exclusively as an ebook from <a href="http://Godless.com">Godless.com</a>. Fans of my prior horror novel, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Elaine-Ben-Arzate/dp/1941918581/ref=sr_1_2?crid=16UQW59WRXYS6&keywords=ben+arzate&qid=1690555111&sprefix=%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-2">Elaine</a></i>, will probably really enjoy this one. I had a lot of fun writing it.</p><p>For those who want a Kindle version or a paperback, it’ll be available on Amazon 8/11/23.</p><p><a href="https://godless.com/products/saturday-morning-mind-control-by-ben-arzate">Get <i>Saturday Morning Mind Control</i> here.</a></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-59000586656579607562023-06-21T15:45:00.001-07:002023-06-21T15:45:11.140-07:00RELEASE DAY: 666 Flags: A Fundraising Anthology from PsychoToxin Press<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2b74AdlhbYmROxTsvNAK5Qcd8j4sa5TCbHuOTVz3taKoP7p5yI-F9igomz1mNAuJuxAFZL9ibpmCHJLCTlZ4Ee9OSF_p8l3RVGjKV7NTE3rOu_2G95cShy7yUybiHF1VfBV-ALyo9BJVlB2bAqNHcp0xeU-CDIUDQ07sC5osZ_b5qLZ5dEk9T5ccKMQ6/s551/666Flags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2b74AdlhbYmROxTsvNAK5Qcd8j4sa5TCbHuOTVz3taKoP7p5yI-F9igomz1mNAuJuxAFZL9ibpmCHJLCTlZ4Ee9OSF_p8l3RVGjKV7NTE3rOu_2G95cShy7yUybiHF1VfBV-ALyo9BJVlB2bAqNHcp0xeU-CDIUDQ07sC5osZ_b5qLZ5dEk9T5ccKMQ6/s320/666Flags.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Today, <a href="https://www.psychotoxin.com">PsychoToxin Press</a> releases the charity anthology, <i>666 Flags</i>. It features the bizarro sci-fi story from myself, "The Sex of Tomorrow."</p><p>Recently, author <a href="https://cderickmiller.com/">C. Derick Miller</a> was let go from his job at a certain amusement park franchise, essentially for being a horror author. PsychoToxin is responding to this by creating a legal defense fund for indie authors. </p><p>The paperback is available from Amazon, but you can also buy the eBook directly from PsychoToxin. In the case of the latter, 100% of your purchase will go to the legal fund. </p><p>Thank you to PsychoToxin for having me as a part of this. </p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/44d1s6M">Buy the paperback here.</a><br /><a href="https://www.psychotoxin.com/product-page/666-flags-a-fundraising-anthology">Buy the eBook here.</a> <br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-13751644245693278862023-05-25T09:16:00.000-07:002023-05-25T09:16:04.211-07:00New Review at Substack<p>Over at my Substack, I have a review of Thomas Moore's latest novel published by Amphetamine Sulphate. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/disassociation-and-fantasy-your-dreams">Read it here.</a></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-89108809711643785562023-03-28T13:13:00.004-07:002023-04-16T12:12:15.892-07:00Release Date: The Aristocrats Anthology<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33eaBXoMQrp02crQMukzur7y0WjqM4zOCQw64BQI4fmJ6hh1QtBVfXI3RfUEJBS70pBghs6Wsrsa6ldZN48ZKsrz6JK1Z04cSy24Ef19Dqcab62f7d0Tqco8HCtSctspxQLXwEiZH4pY40XbjHs8T8yGr1Wp6z0UWcTSKqbshTqiutTlN4m-shhYrmg/s1080/b600d66f-a999-4317-9db2-624ce6120c3d_1080x804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1080" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33eaBXoMQrp02crQMukzur7y0WjqM4zOCQw64BQI4fmJ6hh1QtBVfXI3RfUEJBS70pBghs6Wsrsa6ldZN48ZKsrz6JK1Z04cSy24Ef19Dqcab62f7d0Tqco8HCtSctspxQLXwEiZH4pY40XbjHs8T8yGr1Wp6z0UWcTSKqbshTqiutTlN4m-shhYrmg/w565-h420/b600d66f-a999-4317-9db2-624ce6120c3d_1080x804.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Out today from Potter's Grove Press, it's <i>The Aristocrats Anthology</i>. Featuring myself and several other authors writing versions of the infamous Aristocrats Joke in the form of various classic authors, this tribute to Gilbert Gottfried will have all of its royalties donated to the charity <a href="https://www.comedygivesback.com/">Comedy Gives Back</a>. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aristocrats-Anthology-Tom-Bradley/dp/1951840658">Get the paperback here.</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Aristocrats-Anthology-Tom-Bradley-ebook/dp/B0BSRCGYQZ/">Get the eBook here. </a></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-70736007859651535032023-02-08T08:02:00.003-08:002023-02-08T08:02:53.807-08:00Out Now: Jesus in the Mire by Rob Ramirez + In Uterus in Print<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0FTpNjV5sWQeJk0_KgaU-OBSaWsRw8PGD3HVl1i6gxzZeRgQ7Wz54CRy6pnmJf2sxGhOiF4nmzVyKWvKxoEzh6QThrEpe5JRolk8MgfIiWtQTyy9_F0fl4Hdl0s1xqySETPee-omifw4feOE8BL5gfcDWPLnmWZl0a5McaUEjvajAyYlOuyskfdLdw/s960/FB_IMG_1675869350236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0FTpNjV5sWQeJk0_KgaU-OBSaWsRw8PGD3HVl1i6gxzZeRgQ7Wz54CRy6pnmJf2sxGhOiF4nmzVyKWvKxoEzh6QThrEpe5JRolk8MgfIiWtQTyy9_F0fl4Hdl0s1xqySETPee-omifw4feOE8BL5gfcDWPLnmWZl0a5McaUEjvajAyYlOuyskfdLdw/s320/FB_IMG_1675869350236.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Rob Ramirez's second story is now up at <a href="http://Godless.com">Godless.com</a><p></p><div>"Alone and afraid, Anthelme knows he can't hide from what lay in wait beneath the waters forever."</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://godless.com/products/jesus-in-the-mire-by-rob-ramirez">Get it here.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, <i><a href="https://godless.com/products/in-uterus-an-anthology-for-a-friend?_pos=1&_sid=93eccd124&_ss=r">In Uterus</a></i>, previously a Godless ebook exclusive, is now available in print. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Uterus-Charity-Anthology-P-J-Blakey-Novis/dp/B0BTRPSK69/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1675867905&refinements=p_27%3ADrew+Myers&s=books&sr=1-1">Get it here.</a></div>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-12268238563595102032023-02-07T12:43:00.000-08:002023-02-07T12:43:31.459-08:00Brief Thoughts 32<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been some time since I've done this. I figured it was about time to bring it back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Dead Men's Trousers</i> by Irvine Welsh</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Billed as the "grand finale to the <i>Trainspotting </i>saga," this book takes place several years after <i>Trainspotting </i>and its sequel <i>Porno</i>. Renton, Begbie, Sick Boy, and Spud are all middle-aged men with kids and careers. Well, except for Spud. Spud hasn't accomplished much. Renton's career isn't going so hot either. He's a manager for DJs, except he's down to just one who actually makes him any money now. Sick Boy runs an escort service and, as usual, seems to be going out of his way to destroy his personal relationships. Surprisingly, Begbie seems to be doing the best out of all of them. He's reformed from his violent ways, happily married with two kids, and living in America as a successful artist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It almost goes without saying, this book is really only for people who liked <i>Trainspotting</i> enough to want to see the characters again. It's helpful, though not completely necessary, to have read <i>Porno </i>and <i>The Blade Artist</i> before this. While I hadn't read the latter, and Begbie's story in this directly follows after the one in that book, I still enjoyed this very much. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It takes the humor and the antics of <i>Trainspotting </i>and <i>Porno </i>and amplifies them, at times going into outright farce. This includes a convoluted plot that results in Spud getting his kidney removed by a podiatrist in a dilapidated building who is following a YouTube tutorial. Another hilarious scene is Begbie making plaster casts of the heads of Renton, Sick Boy, and Spud. This ends in Begbie walking in on them stumbling around blind like the Three Stooges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite all the humor, there's still an emotional center at seeing the crew long past their addictions to heroin, but still struggling to really adjust in career and family. It's especially touching to seeing a character like Begbie really find happiness despite his struggles with his explosive anger and how's he's (mostly) learned to channel it in healthy ways. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of the <i>Trainspotting </i>books don't have the formal experimentation that something like <i>Filth </i>does, but there are bits of it here. The drug DMT plays a role in the plot and when the characters take it, their trips are told through brief one to two page comics. While it doesn't add much to the book, it doesn't detract either. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would highly recommend this if you've read the other Trainspotting books. I believe it brings the lives and misadventures of its characters to a satisfying conclusion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/2446/9781612197555">Get <i>Dead Men's Trousers</i> by Irvine Welsh here. </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Mayhem at the Museum</i> by Regina Watts</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Luther is a misfit boy. He doesn't get along with his classmates, especially because he insists on bringing his stuffed wolf, named Paine, everywhere all the time. On a field trip to the local science museum, he meets an odd but intelligent girl his age named Miranda, a daughter of an eccentric rich family. To Luther's surprise, Miranda is one of the few people who can see Paine is really alive and not just a stuffed animal. When both wander away from their class groups, they discover a bag of guns in the janitor's closet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watts's novel is a mixture of parody, Splatterpunk, and a little bit of fantasy. Luther and Paine are obvious stand-ins for Calvin and Hobbes and Miranda is one for Wednesday Addams. There are also references to other characters from <i>Calvin and Hobbes</i> and <i>The Addams Family</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are differences. Luther is much meeker and less prone to flights of fantasy than Calvin, Paine is much more aggressive and is explicitly alive in more than just Luther's imagination, and Miranda is more malevolent than most interpretations of Wednesday Addams. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For a book with as goofy a premise as this, you'd think most of the violence would be cartoony. There are certainly aspects of that, but some of the violence is actually pretty brutal. There's a scene towards the beginning where the museum janitor, having abandoned his plan to shoot up the museum, tries to commit suicide. He accidently spills acid in his face and ends up dying very slowly that way. I actually cringed pretty hard (in a good way) at this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book is a good time. While not quite weird enough to be bizarro proper, it reminds me of the energy of proto-bizarro horror books. It's creative, over the top, and just plain fun to read. It moves fast and has a lot of entertaining action. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Understanding all the things the book references isn't necessary, it's just a nice bonus for a bloody story of kids in a fucked up situation. I definitely recommend picking this up if you're looking for a cracked up thriller. While I've known Watts for some time, this is the first full book of hers I've read, and I'm looking forward to more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/2446/9781736300985">Get <i>Mayhem at the Museum</i> by Regina Watts here. </a></div><p></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-53684052461068090952023-01-03T13:41:00.002-08:002023-01-03T13:41:37.621-08:00Top Ten Reads of 2022<p>It's that time of year again. Remember, these are the books I read in 2022, not books that were published that year. </p><p><b>10. <i>Razorblade Tears</i> by S.A. Cosby</b></p><p>A revenge tale about two fathers finding the men who murdered their sons. The action is exciting and the sense of loss throughout the book is palpable. </p><p><b>9. <i>Piranesi</i> by Susanna Clarke</b></p><p>A woman who doesn't remember anything about her past studying the strange mansion she finds herself in. A book full of wonderful imagery. </p><p><b>8. <i>Death's End </i>by Liu Cixin</b></p><p>I only put <i>The Three-Body Problem</i> on my honorable mentions last year. While it is a good book, the trilogy really picks up in the second and third book. This one, the third, is an imaginative view into the far, far future when the world is so different, it becomes alien to the present. </p><p><b>7. <i>Tears of a Komsomol Girl </i>by Audrey Szasz</b></p><p>Part coming of age story, part study of Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo, part look into the last days of the Soviet Union, Szasz's first full novel is an amazing, brutal, and surreal work. </p><p><a href="http://malarkeybooks.com/reviews/2022/1/20/blood-red-flags-tears-of-a-komsomol-girl-by-audrey-szasz">Full review here.</a> </p><p><b>6. <i>Tender is the Flesh</i> by Agustina Bazterrica</b></p><p>One of the bleakest horror books I've read recently, this story about a world where cannibalism is normal is an incredibly affecting story. </p><p><b>5. <i>The Man in the High Castle</i> by Philip K. Dick</b></p><p>A unique alternative history that looks at a Nazi-occupied United States from the perspective of everyday people. It's also full of interesting concepts about the nature of reality and the perception of history. Definitely my favorite of Dick's that I've read so far. </p><p><b>4. <i>The Dark Forest</i> by Liu Cixin </b></p><p>The second in The Three-Body Problem trilogy. The book is a fascinating dive into psychology, sociology on a cosmic scale, and a gripping thriller. My favorite of the trilogy. </p><p><b>3. <i>Coin Locker Babie</i>s by Ryu Murakami</b></p><p>The stories of Kiku and Hashi, two boys abandoned in coin-operated lockers as infants. They grow up to become a pole-vaulter with deep anger issues and a queer rock star. The story only gets stranger from there. The best I've read from Murakami so far.</p><p><b>2. <i>Stoner </i>by John Williams</b></p><p>The tragic tale of an undistinguished academic, his failed relationships, and his derailed career. It's an excellent novel about a simple man crushed by the weight of the world. </p><p><b>1. <i>Hard Rain Falling</i> by Don Carpenter </b></p><p>The story of Jack Levitt, a man who never had it made. This is often labeled a crime novel, but it's more of a study of a man who has to turn to crime to survive. Sad at times, hilarious at others, it's my favorite read of 2022.</p><p><b>Honorable Mentions</b></p><p>- <i>We Need to Talk About Kevin</i> by Lionel Shriver<br />- <i>The Bottoms</i> by Joe R. Lansdale<br />- <a href="https://culturedvultures.com/children-of-the-new-flesh-review/"><i>Children of the New Flesh</i>, edited by Chris Kelso and David Leo Rice</a><br />- <i>Contempt</i> by Alberto Moravia</p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-8695666823577259232022-12-26T14:31:00.002-08:002022-12-26T14:31:39.395-08:00New Review at Substack<p>Over at my <a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/">Substack</a>, I have a new review of the latest novel from Bob Freville. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/an-order-of-fries-and-a-quarter-pound">Read it here</a>, and please consider subscribing if you haven't. <br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-85434134376643340202022-12-06T19:35:00.002-08:002022-12-06T19:35:45.848-08:00A Door is a Door is a Door is a Jar<p>I've had three poems in the latest, winter 2022, edition of <a href="https://www.doorisajarmagazine.net/">Door is a Jar magazine</a>. </p><p>You can either get it from the <a href="https://www.doorisajarmagazine.net/issues">website</a> or pick it up at the nearest Barnes and Noble. <br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-32526402234053508002022-10-31T17:23:00.001-07:002022-10-31T17:23:24.572-07:00Two Halloween Poems + Ebook Sale<p>Over at the <a href="http://malarkeybooks.com/">Malarkey Books website</a>, I have <a href="http://malarkeybooks.com/poetry/two-halloween-poems">two gloomy poems</a> for Halloween. </p><p>Also, for the remainder of Halloween today, my book of plays is only $0.99 at <a href="https://godless.com/products/plays-hauntologies-by-ben-arzate?_pos=1&_sid=f97d52a70&_ss=r">Godless.com</a>. <br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-13681426949250944122022-10-21T14:30:00.001-07:002022-10-21T14:30:04.846-07:00Corpses on the Vine at Substack<p>Over at my Substack, I posted a surrealist piece that used AI to assist in its creation. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/corpses-on-the-vine">Read it here.</a> </p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-36676985052331548062022-10-04T12:56:00.002-07:002022-10-04T12:56:28.422-07:00New Story at Expat Press<p>My short story, "Messages from Paradise," has been published over at <a href="https://expatpress.com">Expat Press</a>. It's a surreal horror piece written as a series of text messages. Thank you very much to the kind folks at the press for publishing this on their site. </p><p><a href="https://expatpress.com/messages-from-paradise-ben-arzate/">Read it here.</a> </p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-2203644597729194632022-09-19T11:51:00.004-07:002022-09-19T13:01:51.541-07:00Out Now: PLAYS/hauntologies<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu3BBAUbcz2KomCmqx_TOIGHQxd6gPfJHwfsTsP8ekFxQy_PErOcwIRxM360MGvXKde7T0nyGMhBwSv_QCea2uGJ4S7kUEKItfN_2EENdcNxaUVdEh47UFq-cvDBG-zf_VOLzDQenijsrHaBXillv_DAA56FJzMBLZ1Q8i77oy7CyyNAuN6XEwU-ufQ/s2048/PLAYS.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu3BBAUbcz2KomCmqx_TOIGHQxd6gPfJHwfsTsP8ekFxQy_PErOcwIRxM360MGvXKde7T0nyGMhBwSv_QCea2uGJ4S7kUEKItfN_2EENdcNxaUVdEh47UFq-cvDBG-zf_VOLzDQenijsrHaBXillv_DAA56FJzMBLZ1Q8i77oy7CyyNAuN6XEwU-ufQ/w248-h400/PLAYS.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>PLAYS/hauntologies is out now from <a href="https://madnessheart.press">Madness Heart Press</a>. You can get the ebook directly from the <a href="https://madnessheart.press/product/plays-hauntologies/?v=7516fd43adaa">Madness Heart website</a>, or from <a href="https://godless.com/collections/ben-arzate/products/plays-hauntologies-by-ben-arzate">Godless</a>. Physical copies are available from the Madness Heart website and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/PLAYS-Hauntologies-Works-Ben-Arzate/dp/1955745234">Amazon</a>. You can also get the ebook on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/PLAYS-Hauntologies-Works-Ben-Arzate-ebook/dp/B0BD2WLQ2P">Kindle</a>. </p><p>You can watch the book trailer for it <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HepUvsEs2Ug">here on YouTube</a>. </p><p>Christina Pfeiffer of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_VIqGUn6ssun4bPXYSOXzA"><i>Mothers of Mayhem</i> podcast</a> had this to say about the book: ""Every play is stunning, beautiful, and forces the reader to question things. But 'An American Demon' is, by far, one of the most beautiful works I have read this year. Just... this is going to live rent free in my head until I die."</p><p>If you enjoy the book, please consider giving it a review on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62646328-plays-hauntologies">Goodreads</a>. </p><p>Thank you everyone for your support. </p><p></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-26704908149310286142022-08-30T11:20:00.001-07:002022-09-19T11:44:26.049-07:00Coming Soon: PLAYS/hauntologies <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu3BBAUbcz2KomCmqx_TOIGHQxd6gPfJHwfsTsP8ekFxQy_PErOcwIRxM360MGvXKde7T0nyGMhBwSv_QCea2uGJ4S7kUEKItfN_2EENdcNxaUVdEh47UFq-cvDBG-zf_VOLzDQenijsrHaBXillv_DAA56FJzMBLZ1Q8i77oy7CyyNAuN6XEwU-ufQ/s2048/PLAYS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1267" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu3BBAUbcz2KomCmqx_TOIGHQxd6gPfJHwfsTsP8ekFxQy_PErOcwIRxM360MGvXKde7T0nyGMhBwSv_QCea2uGJ4S7kUEKItfN_2EENdcNxaUVdEh47UFq-cvDBG-zf_VOLzDQenijsrHaBXillv_DAA56FJzMBLZ1Q8i77oy7CyyNAuN6XEwU-ufQ/w248-h400/PLAYS.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /></div><p>Coming September 18th from <a href="https://madnessheart.press">Madness Heart Press</a> </p><p>"Having dabbled in texts for performances in his prior books, PLAYS/hauntologies sees Ben Arzate’s first full-length foray into works for the stage. Combining the absurdity of Samuel Beckett, the cruelty of Antonin Artaud, the postdramatic vision of Heiner Muller, and a wide mix of inspirations from genre fiction, these pieces are a deeply eclectic mix.</p><p>From the surreal science fiction of “The Doomed Flight of the Taurus-19” to the pitch-black humor of “The Confessor” to the searing anti-war monologue “An American Demon,” these plays are guaranteed to entertain, horrify, and bring the minds of readers to new and strange places."</p><p><a href="https://madnessheart.press/product/plays-hauntologies/?v=7516fd43adaa">Pre-order the book here.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-44966482395427421972022-08-18T22:30:00.004-07:002022-08-18T22:30:43.781-07:00New Interviews Plus A Review<p>I recently had an interview go up at <a href="https://agoodbooktoendthed.wixsite.com/website/">A Good Book to End the Day</a>. That can be <a href="https://agoodbooktoendthed.wixsite.com/website/post/music-is-over-an-interview-with-author-ben-arzate">read here</a>.</p><p>I also had a great interview with Jordan Rothacker go up at <a href="https://statorec.com">StatORec</a>. That can be <a href="https://statorec.com/language-itself-is-the-only-limit/">read here</a>.</p><p>My newest review at <a href="https://culturedvultures.com/">Cultured Vultures</a> is of Gabino Iglesias's first novel from a major publisher, <i>The Devil Takes You Home</i>. That can be <a href="https://culturedvultures.com/the-devil-takes-you-home-gabino-iglesias/">read here</a>. </p><p>Read, read, read. <br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-42388572411310467452022-07-26T19:09:00.000-07:002022-07-26T19:09:01.164-07:00New Story at Godless: Baby, You'll Be Famous<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsENZ66IDkIL4-k7U0Ww5DZPDC4DXFN3qMmnw4QAIY2s38BA3-4XxWOVboEF8WsgQKLeKk9P6eUfF5IfO4C-dKr5M5rfK6hpftiSDJu6snrrVvikylCb7GmtwvAlMvsiXRQ_ncnRD95d0kKOSSflqkQuE1L0vE6K5SrT-xIYRRONOrUJHwEOLXXWVD9A/s1280/BYBF%20small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsENZ66IDkIL4-k7U0Ww5DZPDC4DXFN3qMmnw4QAIY2s38BA3-4XxWOVboEF8WsgQKLeKk9P6eUfF5IfO4C-dKr5M5rfK6hpftiSDJu6snrrVvikylCb7GmtwvAlMvsiXRQ_ncnRD95d0kKOSSflqkQuE1L0vE6K5SrT-xIYRRONOrUJHwEOLXXWVD9A/w250-h400/BYBF%20small.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><p></p><p>Over at <a href="http://Godless.com">Godless.com</a>, I have a new exclusive story. This is part horror, part satire about a sleazy entertainment journalist trying to break a scandal story about a pop singer. </p><p>"Shawn Baker is a writer for a sleazy tabloid, trying to earn a living while chasing his rock star dreams. One day, while going through the garbage of famous pop singer Penni P, he discovers a scandal that just might make his career if he can break the story. However, what's going on with Penni P might be far worse than Shawn realizes."</p><p><a href="https://godless.com/products/baby-youll-be-famous-a-tale-of-tabloid-terror-by-ben-arzate?_pos=6&_sid=bbf9f5b87&_ss=r">Pick it up here. </a><br /><br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-87189279106368069922022-06-02T08:18:00.003-07:002022-06-02T08:18:56.225-07:00Nafallen University 2022-2023 Course Catalog <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1955745293/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ON67ZWLAJXI3&" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdlDrsfxFx8s5FakBadnNiartwWdc5bZC19pyDNOqPejnAVNUKvdlMjYt655lnrWzE_6MSre6Aog31bbuzAnMnuycHx8mglzzygzxKLhudibwh-YbOjHM4frT2Y1slfr9KanVdCvwuNP6b_HJpyuflL02yXaRupxaf9aKqgHaHCKH1NtPZHRCr8Z3yg/s320/NCC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The <i>Nafallen University Course Catalog</i> is live now! I have a few entries in this. Thank you to <a href="https://madnessheart.press/">Madness Heart Press</a> for having me in this interesting anthology. </p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1955745293/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ON67ZWLAJXI3&">Pick it up here.</a></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-37414745139723265382022-05-23T08:33:00.002-07:002022-05-23T08:33:15.053-07:00The Return of The Unreprinted<p>The Unreprinted returns over at my Substack. First up, an early novel by Carlton Mellick III, <i>Electric Jesus Corpse</i>. </p><p><a href="https://benarzate.substack.com/p/the-unreprinted-electric-jesus-corpse?s=r">Read it here.</a> </p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-77116393396602530972022-05-17T18:16:00.002-07:002022-05-17T18:16:33.098-07:00the feel bad dispatch <p>I decided to start a Substack. </p><p><a href="http://benarzate.substack.com">Subscribe to it here. </a></p><p>My first post will be the return of my The Unreprinted column. Coming soon. </p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1519235354316330842.post-7276740727102908332022-05-17T05:25:00.001-07:002022-05-17T05:25:10.219-07:00Review of Music is Over! in Heavy Feather Review<p> Carl Fuerst wrote an amazing review of <a href="http://malarkeybooks.com/music-is-over"><i>Music is Over!</i></a> over at <a href="https://heavyfeatherreview.org/"><i>Heavy Feather Review</i></a>. </p><blockquote><p>"A lot of<em> Music Is Over!</em> invites comparisons to Murakami: the
Japanese cultural elements, the dream-like setting, the juxtaposition of
the surreal and the mundane, the terse narration, and the laconic
dialogue. But I feel like what distinguishes this novella is how Arzate
blends these ingredients with elements from folklore, science fiction,
horror, absurdism, pornography, and, most extensively, bizarro. In many
ways, <em>Music Is Over!</em> is a compact ecosystem of literary forms typically labeled as experimental or fringe."</p></blockquote><p><a href="https://heavyfeatherreview.org/2022/05/13/music-is-over-a-novella-by-ben-arzate-reviewed-by-carl-fuerst/">Read the full review here</a>. <br /></p>Ben Arzatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09903350466028308146noreply@blogger.com0