Spotlight on Ohio Authors:
Don Bruns —
A Songwriter, Musician and Advertising Executive
Turned Best Selling Mystery Author
Ohio Connection: Lima resident
Don Bruns—an advertising executive, songwriter, musician, cook and painter--experienced a rocky start to his writing career. Having purchased the critiquing services of Sue Grafton at an auction in the year 2000, Bruns was mortified at the eight pages of criticism that she subsequently mailed to him. In a follow-up phone call, Grafton suggested to Bruns that he abandon the now eviscerated story altogether and, utilizing her suggestions (e.g. closer attention to detail), begin afresh. When, nine months later, he had completed his next effort, Jamaica Blue, Grafton promised to not only read it to but critique it for free—which she did, giving it an enthusiastic thumb up.
While addressing an audience of nearly 1,000 people at the October, 2001 Bouchercon Convention, Grafton empathically endorsed Jamaica Blue and recommended to all the agents in the audience that the most enterprising among them should approach Bruns—who happened to have been in attendance—ASAP. Taking Grafton at her word, Charles Spicer from St. Martin’s Press introduced himself to Bruns and asked if St. Martin’s could have the opportunity of looking over the manuscript. Within three months, Bruns was under contract and Jamaica Blue hit the market in September of 2002. It’s blurb was written by none other than Sue Grafton!
“Don Bruns has staked out his turf. Sex, drugs, rock and roll and murder. What more could you want?”