JJ Winston Shares How Her Experiences Inspire Fiction That Advocates For Behavioral Health, Resilience And Sickle Cell Awareness
Championing Behavioral Health Through Fiction
JJ Winston reveals how her career as a social worker and magistrate fuels her novels, blending advocacy with storytelling to raise awareness of mental health, human trafficking, and sickle cell disease.
Author JJ Winston stands as a beacon of literary excellence and social advocacy, crafting narratives that intertwine profound societal issues with deeply engaging fiction. A celebrated Behavioral Health Fiction Writer, Ms. Winston’s works—ranging from her award-winning debut novel The Anniversary to her latest release The Revelation—have captivated audiences through their empathetic lens on topics like mental health, human trafficking, and sickle cell disease. Her unique ability to merge her vast professional expertise as a Licensed Independent Social Worker, attorney, and Family Court Magistrate with her personal experiences results in stories that are equally informative, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant.
At Mosaic Digest, we’ve always championed voices that move hearts and minds, and it is an absolute honor to spotlight Ms. Winston’s remarkable journey and literary accomplishments. Through her heartfelt narratives, she has illuminated critical conversations about behavioral health and human resilience, empowering readers to reflect on their own lives and the lives of those often unheard. Her Anniversary series, complete with an accompanying workbook, exemplifies her commitment to advocacy by providing readers with tools to navigate the complexities of behavioral health with compassion and understanding.
JJ Winston masterfully combines her vast expertise with heartfelt storytelling, elevating awareness of critical societal issues through transformative fiction and advocacy.
In this exclusive interview, we invite you to delve deeper into the mind of this extraordinary storyteller. JJ Winston’s creative process, fueled by her unwavering advocacy and her firsthand experience with real-world challenges, offers a perspective that is as inspiring as it is transformative. Her insights on the intersection of family dynamics, health struggles, and societal issues within her novels are a testament to her ability to create art that not only entertains but educates and empowers. We at Mosaic Digest celebrate her work, her advocacy, and her unrelenting commitment to shedding light on the stories that need to be told.
From courtroom to writing desk—how did your experiences as a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Family Court Magistrate shape your voice and perspective as a novelist?
The professional experiences that I have had working as both a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Family Court Magistrate have had a profound impact on me and have helped to shape my writing. Before working in Family Court, I was employed as the Client Rights Officer for my community’s local Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board. In this role I had the honor to advocate and represent hundreds of individuals living with Behavioral Health problems. Many of my clients were intelligent, brilliant individuals who often felt voiceless. I want to use my writing to help give help those living with behavioral health issues to feel heard. I also want to use my work to humanize individuals and to help remind the world that behavioral health is health care too!!
“I want to use my writing to help those living with behavioral health issues feel heard.” – JJ Winston
What was the moment or experience that convinced you to channel your advocacy for behavioral health, human trafficking, and sickle cell awareness into fiction?
I have been touched by many of the clients that I have worked with while on my professional journey and wanted to tell a story that captures the struggle that many are forced to endure. As a behavioral health professional with vast experience, I was shocked at how prevalent human trafficking is in my community. I reside in the State of Ohio which has the fourth highest human trafficking numbers in the United States. I added Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to my stories as I have a child who lives with SCD. Additionally, I lost my father, 2 paternal aunts, and 1 paternal uncle to this genetic disease. I realized that many people are not aware that there are several forms of SCD and I wanted to use my writing to shine a light on this important subject to raise awareness.
The Revelation introduces a global pandemic and a mysterious disappearance—how did you approach weaving real-world stressors like illness and uncertainty into such an emotionally intense family saga?
I wanted my novel to be realistic, and I felt that the pandemic was a perfect backdrop for my fictional family to navigate. During the pandemic some of our family members and friends developed behavioral health issues due to the isolation that came with living during this uncertain time, and I thought it would be interesting to explore this. I weaved what was happening in our world with my characters because I want my readers to see themselves in my words and I wanted to show that life is not just black and white but a curious color of gray.
“The workbook has helped many to better advocate for their loved ones navigating behavioral health challenges.” – JJ Winston
Juliette and Grandville have survived trauma, legal battles, and human trafficking revelations across three books. How have they evolved by the time your new novel closes, and what does resilience mean to you in the context of their journey?
In my series you witness my characters evolve and accept that life happens to us all. No matter who you are you will experience good times and bad times and there will be times when you have to offer forgiveness, compassion and grace for your own mental health. I believe that at the end of my series my characters have learned many life lessons, and it is my hope that the messages that I expound will resonate with my readers.
Your first novel, The Anniversary, and its companion workbook blend fiction with mental‑health advocacy—what has surprised you most about the reader responses and conversations it sparked?
I am surprised that so many people have reported to me that they have used the workbook and how much it has helped them to better advocate for their loved ones. Several behavioral health agencies in my community have purchased the workbook for their staff and the staff has reported that it has helped them to make the complicated journey of behavioral health more understandable for lay people.
After concluding the Anniversary series, what’s next for you—another series, perhaps a standalone, or diving deeper into non‑fiction? Are there untold stories or causes you’re eager to explore through your writing?
I do plan to write a new book and have bounced around several ideas in my head. I now work in Family Court, and I often see individuals who are experiencing serious behavioral health issues and concerns due to the trauma and stress that comes with Divorce. I believe that I will explore this in my next series but right now I am focusing my efforts on making sure the world is aware of my current work.
EDITOR’S NOTE
JJ Winston’s The Anniversary is an exceptional and heartfelt narrative that dives deep into the complexities of love, loss, and healing. The journey of Grandville and Juliette Stubbs is captivating, offering an intimate exploration of topics like mental health, marriage, and forgiveness. Winston masterfully weaves a story that is both compelling and enlightening, shedding light on the stigma surrounding behavioral health disorders. This book is a triumphant ode to resilience, providing a voice to those silently battling trauma and loss. The emotional depth and relatable struggles make it an absolute must-read for anyone seeking a story with meaning and heart. For its raw authenticity and thought-provoking themes, The Anniversary deserves every bit of its 5-star acclaim.
