A Book(ish) Life: Interview with Lois Winston

On dreams, not giving up, and becoming a best-selling and award winning author.

I’m so excited to introduce today’s guest. Lois Winston is a fellow Guppy and member of Sisters in Crime, and she has had an incredible (and frankly awe-inspiring) career. She’s also so quick to answer questions, lend a hand, or offer advice to newer writers—in short, she’s exactly the type of author I aspire to be. Her newest book, Seams like the Perfect Crime, releases this week, and I am honored to have her on Book(ish) to celebrate!!

Welcome to Book(ish)! Please introduce yourself, and share a little bit about your latest book (or your work in progress, if unpublished).

I’m a USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author. I began my writing career with Talk Gertie to Me, a humorous fish-out-of-water novel about a small-town girl going off to the big city and the mother who had other ideas. That was followed by the romantic suspense Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception.

My writing career then segued unexpectedly into the world of humorous amateur sleuth mysteries, thanks to a conversation my agent had with an editor looking for a craft-themed mystery series. In my day job, I was an award-winning craft and needlework designer, and although I’d never written a mystery—or had even thought about writing a mystery—because of my day job, my agent thought I was the perfect person to pen a series for this editor.

Thus, was born the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, which Kirkus Reviews dubbed “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” The series now includes fourteen novels and three novellas. I also write the Empty Nest Mysteries and have written several standalone mystery novellas. Other publishing credits include romance, chick lit, and romantic suspense novels, a series of romance short stories, a children’s chapter book, and a nonfiction book on writing, inspired by my twelve years working as an associate at a literary agency.

Are you traditionally published, or self-published? What made you choose this path? If unpublished: feel free to skip, or talk about which path you’d prefer!

I began my career traditionally published. I became a hybrid author for a few years, then decided to fully embrace indie publishing. (I don’t care for the “self-published” moniker. It reminds me too much of the old vanity presses that used to rip off authors.)

Describe your ideal writing scenario. What would a perfect writing day look like for you? Where would you be?

I have a dedicated writer’s cave where you’ll find me squirreled away most hours of most days. I occasionally venture out into the real world to restock the pantry and socialize with friends and family, but my characters grow resentful if I’m gone too long.

If your book had a themed scented candle made for it: what would it smell like?

Anastasia can’t survive without caffeine, wine, and baked goods. A candle that smelled like a chocolate champagne cupcake would probably be her first choice. Come to think of it, I’ll take one, too!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take you to reach publication?

I was not someone who grew up wanting to write books. After reluctantly giving up on becoming an astronaut (I’m prone to motion sickness,) then a Broadway star (because Broadway isn’t interested in singers who can’t sing, dancers who can’t dance, and actors who can’t act. Go figure!), I went to art school. For decades I designed needlework and crafts for kit manufacturers, magazines, and book publishers.

Normally, I don’t remember my dreams, but one night while on a business trip, I had a dream that I not only remembered upon waking, but which kept unfolding during subsequent nights like the chapters of a book. I eventually decided to write it down. The next thing I knew, I had a fifty-thousand-word romance that spanned thirty-five years. I didn’t realize how completely unpublishable it was until the rejection letters started arriving in my mailbox.

However, instead of giving up, I joined some writing organizations, took classes, attended workshops, and learned how to write right. Ten years, almost to the day of that dream, my first book sold. After countless rewrites, the book inspired by the dream became my second sale.

How long does it generally take you to write a book? What does your process look like?

Each book takes me anywhere from six months to a year. I’m a “pantser.” I don’t outline. I get a general idea for a story, then start writing and see where the story and my characters take me. Often the journey winds up surprising me, and that’s the way I like it. If I don’t know who the killer is as I’m writing the book, neither will my readers as they’re reading it.

What are your favorite types of books to read? How do they inform your writing?

I’m a very eclectic reader. For me, it’s all about the author’s voice. If I find the voice captivating, I’ll read most any genre.

I also love books that make me laugh. I believe right now, especially, we all need to laugh more. That’s also why I enjoy writing humorous cozy mysteries. People need an escape from reality, and I hope my books provide them with that escape.

Truthfully, I’m not sure how what I read inspires what I write other than when I read a really good book, no matter the genre, I’ll wish I’d written it.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your writing career?

Every scene and all dialogue must do one of two things: either advance the plot or tell the reader something she needs to know at that moment about the point-of-view character. If a scene does neither, it’s filler and doesn’t belong in the book.

How do you celebrate your writing/publishing wins?

With wine, chocolate, and a Snoopy happy dance in my head. (Like I said, I can’t dance.)

What’s something you’re looking forward to?

The day Tina Fey discovers my series and wants to play Anastasia in a TV show or series of movies. Hey, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Anything else you’d like to add?

I hope your readers will get to know and enjoy Anastasia. She’d love to meet them.

About Lois Winston

USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Lois Winston began her award-winning writing career with Talk Gertie to Me, a humorous fish-out-of-water novel about a small-town girl going off to the big city and the mother determined to bring her home to marry the boy next door. That was followed by the romantic suspense Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception.

Then Lois’s writing segued unexpectedly into the world of humorous amateur sleuth mysteries, thanks to a conversation her agent had with an editor looking for craft-themed mysteries. In her day job, Lois was an award-winning craft and needlework designer, and although she’d never written a mystery—or had even thought about writing a mystery—her agent decided she was the perfect person to pen a series for this editor.

Thus, was born the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, which Kirkus Reviews dubbed “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” The series now includes fourteen novels and three novellas. Lois also writes the Empty Nest Mysteries and has written several standalone mystery novellas. Other publishing credits include romance, chick lit, and romantic suspense novels, a series of romance short stories, a children’s chapter book, and a nonfiction book on writing, inspired by her twelve years working as an associate at a literary agency.

Find Lois online: Website | Newsletter (subscribe to receive a free Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery)

About Seams Like the Perfect Crime

An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 14

Release Date: 2/4/25

When staffing shortages continue to hamper the Union County homicide squad, Detective Sam Spader once again turns to his secret weapon, reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack. How can she and husband Zack Barnes refuse when the victim is their new neighbor?

Revolutionary War reenactor Barry Sumner had the odd habit of spending hours mowing a small patch of packed dirt and weeds until his mower ran out of gas. He’d then guzzle beer on his front porch until he passed out. That’s where Anastasia’s son Nick discovers his body three days after the victim and his family moved into the newly built mini-McMansion across the street.

After a melee breaks out at the viewing, Spader zeroes in on the widow as his prime suspect. However, Anastasia has her doubts. There are other possible suspects, including a woman who’d had an affair with the victim, his ex-wife, the man overseeing the widow’s trust fund, a drug dealer, and the reenactors who were blackmailing the widow and victim.

When another reenactor is murdered, Spader suspects they’re dealing with a serial killer, but Anastasia wonders if the killer is attempting to misdirect the investigation. As she narrows down the suspects, will she jeopardize her own life to learn the truth?

Craft projects included.

Pre-Order Seams Like the Perfect Crime:

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