Blood has been spilled!

The Leisure Books/ChiZine/Rue Morgue Magazine "Fresh Blood" contest has started, and my novel "Breed" is one of the nine finalists. Here's what happens next:

"In the following months, these writers will compete in categories ranging from scariest scene to best chapters, and voters will choose their favourite. In the end, the novel of the last author standing will be published in paperback by Leisure Books and in hardcover by ChiZine Publications in 2011."

The first chapters have been posted, along with comments from the judges. They say in the intro that they aren't going to pull any punches with their comments, and they aren't kidding. Yikes! If I didn't have a thick skin before this contest, I'm sure I will when it's done.

You can check out the contest here: http://chizine.com/freshblood/

Voting ends 1/31, and if you'd like to throw in a vote for me, I'd sure appreciate it. Just send an email here:

freshblood@chizinepub.com

And put this in the subject line:

Fresh Blood Vote: "Breed" by Sean Logan

Thanks!

Random Top 5: Worst Jazz Instruments

I'm not a jazz expert, but I know what I don't like. Here are the top five instruments that can ruin any jazz song.

5. Soprano sax

I'm sure there are people out there that can make this thing sound awesome. I'm thinking of Kenny G.

4. The Flute

Makes the soprano sax sound macho.

3. The tuba

Have you ever heard someone try to solo with a tuba? I have. It's like watching a sumo wrestler try to tap dance.

2. Xylophone

I went to a free jazz concert in the park. As they were setting up the stage, someone brought out a xylophone. I left.

1. The human voice

Nothing destroys a jazz tune faster than some idiot singing over it. If I'm listening to jazz on the radio and I hear singing start to come out of the speaker, I will leap over my wife and dog risking severe bodily injury diving for the off switch. Also scat. Double meaning. Think about it.

Tequila Review: Jose Cuervo Tradicional

Slight glue-like smell. Smells a little malty and sharp. Tastes better than it smells. A pleasant, lightly spicy flavor. A little toasty. Mild aftertaste and light to moderate burn. Lacking the complexity of higher end tequila, but also lacking in the annoying flavors that other tequilas in this price range often have.

Tequila Review: Corralejo Reposado

Hey, mine had a hair in it! Okay, it was probably my fault. I’ve got a dog and he sheds a lot and I probably don’t vacuum enough. But I’ve got my eye on you, Corralejo! But strange hairs aside, this one has a light and clean taste. Almost no smell, though. That’s weird, I seriously can’t smell it. But the taste is okay, I guess. A strong floral aftertaste, a slight hint of corriander, a little cinnamon, and some strange flavor I can’t put my finger on. It’s not a great flavor, but it gives this tequila what character it has. A moderate burn that probably seems a little stronger than it actually is because it doesn’t have a very robust flavor. But there’s nothing too cloying or overpowering. It’s pleasant overall, but it won’t blow you away.

Welcome future disciples!

To all you readers who don't yet exist, welcome to the Blood & Tequila blog, where good tequila and horror fiction meet … for some reason. This is where I'll be posting many insightful, and delightful, tequila reviews, promote the occasional book or magazine that includes one my exciting and terrifying short stories, and share random, but important, thoughts about the nature of existence and the intricacies of our culture.

Another feature to which you can look forward will be my Top 5 lists, where I bring order to a chaotic world by rank-ordering junk into groups of five. And what do you know, I think we have one now:

Top 5 Reasons I Started This Blog

5. To justify all the tequila I drink--"No dear, I'm not getting drunk, I'm doing research"

4. To promote all of the books and magazines that are kind enough to include my stories

3. Because I think that every random though that enters my head is worth preserving

2. To rustle up enough votes to totally win the Leisure Books "Fresh Blood" contest

1. To get some free tequila

That's right, the main purpose of this blog is to get free tequila. I'm thinking that with the inevitable popularity of my insightful, and delightful, tequila reviews, there will be tequila manufacturers, sellers, distributers and marketers who will be clamoring for a spot on my blog. To all of you, I guarantee this: if you send me free tequila, I will review it. I can't guarantee I'll like it, but I'll review it.

I also expect that I'll receive free tequila as gifts from a grateful nation, fans who are so delighted by my insightful reviews they'll be compelled to express their appreciation in delicious golden 100% agave tequila. To all of you, I say this: tequila is an acceptable and appropriate gift, and if you send it, I will drink it. I can't guarantee I'll like it, but I will drink it.

So, that's enough for now. Let the blogging, and free tequila sending, begin!