"BIG SELLERS AND SONG TITLES YOU CAN HAVE FUN WITH": BAT OUT OF HELL'S DON BRUNS

Author Don Bruns has been doing and interesting anthology series with stories all coming from the songs on a certain album. The latest is inspired by Meat Loaf's Bat Out Of Hell. We talked with Don about the collection.

SCOTT MONTGOMERY: What made you choose Bat Out of Hell for your next album anthology?

DON BRUNS: I wanted an album title that people remembered, was a huge seller, and had an edgy title. I think we hit every criterion. We've done Hotel California, Thriller, Back in Black, and now Bat Out of Hell. Big sellers and song titles you can have a lot of fun with.

S.M.: The authors range from traditional, to thriller, to hard boiled action. Do you make it a point to have that sub-genre diversity?

D.B.: These are pros. They are all top-notch writers, and I totally trust their instincts. I picked them because of their diversity.

S.M.: Are there any things you ask of the writers?

D.B.: Stay away from lyrics and song themes. These are story titles only, a chance to write your own idea of what that title means. Don't get us sued.

S.M.: Which author surprised you the most with how they applied their song title?

D.B.: They all surprise me. My brother Dave has been absolutely brilliant in the way he works in the titles (he was in Back In Black), and I'm always excited to see how Andrew Child is going to make Reacher work (featured in Hotel California, Back in Black, and Bat Out of Hell).

S.M.: What attracted you to “Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad” for your story?

D.B.: I offer the authors their choice. I take the last one. I loved this title. A homicide cop and New Orleans voodoo practitioner are working to solve a murder. They have two major clues, which isn't bad, but they need one more for closure.

S.M.: What's the next album you have in mind?

D.B.: We've done one a year for four years. I think there'll be a breather while I work on a couple of independents. But if we do another, I suppose Jagged Little Pill or Saturday Night Fever would be good choices.

S.M.: What do enjoy most about this running project?

D.B.: I'm getting a chance to work with some of my favorite people in the business. I'm introducing readers to writers they've never read. That's pretty cool. And the physical product is outstanding. Blackstone Publishing has gone out of their way to design a first-class book. Take the dust jacket off the hardcover and the cover appears to be a 33 1/3 rpm record. How cool is that? (Just don't try to play it on your turntable. You'll ruin the needle!)