Don Winslow

Don Winslow (born October 31, 1953) is an American author and political activist most recognized for his crime and mystery novels. Many of his books are set in California. Five of his novels feature private investigator Neal Carey. He has also co-written screenplays for "Savages", "Satori," and other adaptations of his novels with screenwriter/producer Shane Salerno.
Early life.
Winslow was born on October 31, 1953, in New York City. He grew up in Perryville, a beach town near the village of Matunuck, Rhode Island. He credits his parents for preparing him to become a writer: his mother was a librarian and his father was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Navy who told stories and invited Navy friends around who told more. They inspired Winslow to become a storyteller himself. He majored in African history at the University of Nebraska.
Career.
In the late 1970s, Winslow returned to New York City, first working as manager of a chain of movie theaters, then as a private investigator in movie theaters and the back alleys of Times Square. He returned to school to earn a master's degree in Military History, led safaris in Kenya and hiking trips in China's Sichuan province.
His first published novel, "A Cool Breeze on the Underground" (1991) was written during this time. It was the first book in a saga about investigator Neal Carey and was nominated for an Edgar Award. His thriller "The Death and Life of Bobby Z" (1997) was a success and allowed him to become a full-time writer. In 2007 "Bobby Z" was turned into a film starring Paul Walker and Laurence Fishburne. Winslow wrote the adaptation of "Savages" into a film of the same name, with Oliver Stone directing.
After success with his recent novel, "The Force," the book was licensed to 20th Century Fox, with David Mamet as the scriptwriter and James Mangold as director.
Personal life.
Winslow's career as an investigator often took him to California to look into arson cases, as his storytelling skills helped explain cases to juries. In the mid-1990s, he moved to California with his wife, Jean, and their infant son, Thomas, and continued writing. They currently live in Julian, California.
He has been a continual critic of Donald Trump and his presidency. On October 13, 2020, Winslow released a video critical of Trump prior to his campaign event in Pennsylvania. The video features Bruce Springsteen's song Streets of Philadelphia.
Writing process.
Winslow said he writes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and then hikes six or seven miles before returning to work. He typically works on two books at a time, moving to the other when work on the first stalls. He said the longest he has gone without writing after a book is completed was five days. He has described writing as "an addiction".
The time it takes him to write a book varies. "The Death and Life of Bobby Z" was written on the train between Dana Point, California and Los Angeles, one chapter per trip. "The Power of the Dog" took six years to research and write, including a trip to Mexico to interview people with similar experiences as the book's characters.
Awards.
Winslow won the 2012 Raymond Chandler Award at the Courmayeur Noir Festival. Previous winners include John le Carré, John Grisham and Michael Connelly.
Awards by book:
"A Cool Breeze on the Underground"
"Way Down on the High Lonely"
"The Death and Life of Bobby Z"
"California Fire and Life"
"The Power of the Dog"
"The Winter of Frankie Machine"
"The Dawn Patrol"
"The Gentlemen's Hour"
"Savages"
"The Kings of Cool"
"The Cartel"