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.