Ask the Author: Ashley Winstead
Answered Questions (11)
Ashley Winstead
Hi! Thank you so much for reading Fool Me Once! I’m very happy to report that Ben and Lee are big parts of The Boyfriend Candidate, Alexis’s love story. I had so much fun writing them in the future:) Thank you again for reading!
Ashley Winstead
As of now, I don't have any planned, but I would love to return to this series! Fingers crossed! And thank you so much for wanting more! <3
Ashley Winstead
Hi Cami! I love this question -- thank you so much for asking (and you're totally right about FUTURE SAINTS, it's contemporary fiction, or as I call it in my mind, a romantic tragicomedy <3). I love writing across genres because I think, like most people, I have a lot of different voices in my head and aspects to who I am and seasons of my life, and experimenting with genre helps me lean into that. I'd eventually love to write in almost every genre, but especially fantasy. The book my agent signed me for years ago was a contemporary YA fantasy, kind of a coming-of-age, coming-into-power story set at a boarding school. (Think of the vibes of books like LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn or NINTH HOUSE by Leigh Bardugo, except way less good ;) That book has since been shelved!). I have the start of an adult fantasy MS on my computer that I hope I'll one day get to finish, and about a hundred other ideas for dramatic and romantic fantasy novels. Probably the one genre you can safely count out from me is historical fiction--I will leave that to writers with a passion for intense historical research!
Ashley Winstead
I can't wait either!! This next thriller is my favorite yet:) Thank you so much for asking!
Ashley Winstead
Thank you, Rachael. This truly means so much to me. The inspiration for TLH was kind of an alchemical mix of current events and themes that had long been on my mind. I became fascinated by reporting on the Sarah Lawrence sex cult (otherwise known as the Larry Ray story) and the NXIVM cult. To my mind, there was something unique about these groups that operated right in the midst of society, rather than out in rural middle of nowhere like a lot of cults, and that used enlightenment and empowerment language as part of their "manifestos," so to speak. I was really curious about how, as a modern woman, particularly one with social and economic power, you fell under the sway of these kinds of cults. And then the personal aspect of the story, as you guessed, came from a lifetime of being a girl, then a young woman, then an adult woman in the world. Experiences with men leering, sexualizing girls so young, experimenting with my own sexual power as I aged, wondering about the power and limits of beauty, experiencing sexual harassment and assault (apologies if this is jarring). Generally, as a heterosexual woman, I was grappling with the conundrum of being attracted to the group of people most likely to harm me (men). So all of that came together to inspire the book!
Ashley Winstead
Thank you so much!
Ashley Winstead
Thank you so much, Ashley (and also feel like I should apologize, too!). I really like the ending as it is, so there's no plan for a part two. However, I've toyed with the idea of writing a very short story set in the world of Midnight, which would take place after the ending...I'll let you know if I get the greenlight!
Thank you again for reading <3
Thank you again for reading <3
Ashley Winstead
Hi Lee! Thank you so much for reading Dreams -- I'm so happy you enjoyed it! I would say that I hope The Last Housewife is as engaging as Dreams, but it may be a little slower-paced in the beginning. I also want to warn you that it's a much darker book! Please check the trigger warnings to make sure you're being safe with yourself. Much love <3
Ashley Winstead
Yes, absolutely. The audiobook will be available the same day as the hardcover release (October 3rd) from all major retailers:)
Ashley Winstead
I'm so happy you love him <3 And I'd love to write it -- fingers crossed!
Ashley Winstead
Yes, there will be! I will update this space as soon as I have a release date (hopefully soon). Thank you for asking!
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