On today’s 175th Episode of The Thriller Zone, now in our 6th Season, we’re happy to invite Don Winslow into our home for a face-to-face interview that, as you’ll quickly notice, is truly a one of a kind opportunity for this host, and for you as an audience member.
Don, as you may know, is a renowned thriller writer who has decades of experience as a seasoned writer, creating one hit after another. Today, Don discusses his journey as an author and the challenges he faced in the publishing industry.
Despite initial rejections and being labeled a cult writer, Winslow persevered and eventually achieved success. He credits his partnership with agent Shane Salerno as a turning point in his career. Together, they started a rebellion against the limitations imposed by publishers and Hollywood.
In our in-depth conversation, Winslow reflects on the impact of his mother, a librarian, who instilled in him a love for books and the belief that he could achieve anything. He also shares his thoughts on retirement and the future of the publishing industry.
Digging deeper and opening up, Don reveals the evolution of storytelling and the impact of technology and AI on the industry. He emphasizes the authenticity of human communication and the importance of bringing heart and soul to writing.
As our show begins to wrap, Don allows us an inside peek, as he shares advice for aspiring writers, encouraging them to never give up and set doable writing goals. He reflects on the emotional impact of his City Trilogy, which includes City On Fire, City Of Dreams and City In Ruins, as well as the upcoming film adaptation, and concludes by discussing his future plans, including his commitment to fighting against neo-fascism and—on a much lighter note—spending more time with his wife, Jean.
All in all, this will stand out as one of the very finest episodes of The Thriller Zone since I launched the podcast nearly three years ago. I’m your host, David Temple, now let’s meet the man of the hour, my friend Don Winslow here in TheThrillerZone.com
To learn more visit: DonWinslow.com and purchase his book #CityInRuins wherever you buy your books!
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:22 Early Days and Challenges
06:03 The Turning Point
09:25 Dealing with Rejection
13:19 Meeting Shane Salerno
22:57 The Moment of Confidence
26:41 Retirement and Future Plans
32:13 The Publishing Industry Today
35:13 The Evolution of Storytelling
36:10 The Impact of Technology and AI
37:31 The Authenticity of Human Communication
38:29 Advice for Aspiring Writers
40:57 Setting Doable Writing Goals
45:12 The Emotional Impact of the City Trilogy
47:09 Film Adaptation of the City Trilogy
49:32 Austin Butler as Danny in the Film Adaptation
52:51 Overview of the City Trilogy
56:13 The Emotional Impact of the Epilogue
59:05 Reflecting on Gratitude and the Writing Journey
01:04:35 Opening Line and Takeaway for a Writing Class
01:08:10 Future Plans and Priorities
Takeaways
•Don't give up on your dreams, even in the face of rejection and setbacks.
•Success often comes after years of hard work and perseverance.
•Having a supportive partner or mentor can make a significant difference in your career.
•The publishing industry is evolving, but books and storytelling will always have a place in society.
•The storytelling industry has evolved throughout history, with changes in platforms & technology, but the desire for stories remains constant.
•Artificial intelligence may never be able to replicate the authenticity and emotional impact of human communication in storytelling.
•Aspiring writers should never give up and set doable writing goals to make progress.
*The City trilogy by Don Winslow which includes City On Fire, City Of Dreams & City In Ruins, explores timeless themes from classical literature in a modern setting, with a focus on character development and emotional depth.
