The Elmore Leonard Podcast

Elmore Leonard has been referred to as the "Dickens of Detroit" but his books are set all over the world. Some of our favorite books of Elmore's, like Split Images, Cat Chaser, La Brava, Maximum Bob, or Rum Punch are set in the great State of Florida.  This podcast features conversations with two people with very unique connections to Florida and Elmore. In the first half of the podast, we speak with Kristy Lowman an actual Weeki Wachee mermaid, just like the ones featured in Maximum Bob. We also get to speak with one of Elmore's five children, Bill Leonard, who shares some great stories about the family vacations that first brought Elmore to Florida.  https://weekiwachee.com Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Alex and Judd throw on their cashmere sweaters, plant machetes, and taunt the homicide detectives as they dive deep into Elmore Leonard's SPLIT IMAGES.  From ElmoreLeonardOfficial.com:  Wealthy industrialist Robbie Daniels has discovered something that gives him even a bigger kick than his palatial homes in Detroit and Palm Beach: homicide. He’s tried it, he likes it, and he’d like to keep doing it—as often as possible—with the help of a really bad ex-cop who quit the force one step away from prison stripes. Motown Detective Bryan Hurd strongly suspects that Daniels has been getting away with murder and figures a little Florida R&R might be an ideal way to keep a close eye on the slippery millionaire reptile. But Daniels has money, power, no fear, and an awesome collection of guns—and Hurd might be getting a little too close to the action. . . It is a nasty (and nifty) little crime book, and it was so much fun to revisit it.  Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Stacey Sher is one of our great producers of film and television. In addition to having produced two of what many consider to be the three best feature film adaptations of Elmore’s work - GET SHORTY and OUT OF SIGHT, she has also produced Erin Brockovich, Contagion, Gattaca, How High, Django Unchained, Reno 911!: Miami, Man on the Moon, and Heretic, to name just a few.  She was also an Executive Producer of Pulp Fiction.  She joins us to share her perspective on Elmore, working with Danny DeVito and Michael Shamberg at Jersey Films, and to reflect on Get Shorty, Out of Sight, Be Cool, and so much more.   Deleted Get Shorty Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKlH6_xZo6c Interview with Jay Weston: https://labusinessjournal.com/retail/restaurants/table-reads/ Much Appreciation to Katie Aquino and Jake Pace. Guest: Stacey Sher Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Ace Atkins is the best selling author of 30 novels including WICKED CITY, WHITE SHADOW, DON'T LET THE DEVIL RIDE, the upcoming EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD, the Quinn Colson series, the Nick Travers series, and several books in Robert B. Parker’s Spenser series. He is also our first guest to have appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He is a huge admirer of Elmore’s and he shares some fantastic stories with us today about getting feedback from and traveling with Elmore, working as a crime reporter in Tampa Bay, choosing crime fiction over sports, and so much more.  https://www.aceatkins.com https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/spy-who-scammed-us/ Guest: Ace Atkins Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Alex and Judd get out of prison, sneak into the Ricks Mansion and hide dynamite all over 1980s Detroit as they dive deep into what some have called Elmore Leonard's greatest book, FREAKY DEAKY.  In Part Two, we sink even deeper into the gray areas, argue about Chris, and hear about the book that Elmore almost wrote featuring some of his greatest characters.  Learn more about Freaky Deaky here: https://www.elmoreleonardofficial.com/books/freaky-deaky Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Alex and Judd get out of prison, sneak into the Ricks Mansion and hide dynamite all over 1980s Detroit as they dive deep into what some have called Elmore Leonard's greatest book, FREAKY DEAKY.  In Part One, we meet our second favorite novelist Nicole Robinette, try not to mix dynamite and LSD, and learn some of the facts of life from Elmore.  Learn more about Freaky Deaky here: https://www.elmoreleonardofficial.com/books/freaky-deaky Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Tom Scharpling is just the greatest. He's an accomplished TV writer/producer (Monk, What We Do in the Shadows, Steven Universe) and the host of the legendary The Best Show. He joins Alex and Judd in Chris's dad's Cadillac to talk FREAKY DEAKY, and what he appreciates most about Elmore. Also, Judd pitches him an idea for a novel.  https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheBestShow Guest: Tom Scharpling Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

From the bowels of Morro Prison on Havana Bay, Alex and Judd dive deep into CUBA LIBRE, Elmore Leonard’s masterful epic set at the height of tensions that led to The Spanish American War. In Part Two, they get shot by snipers, concoct Elmore Bingo, and Alex shares his thoughts on the Coen Brothers' screenplay of Cuba Libre that, alas, never got made. Stephen Crane's The Open Boat: https://americanliterature.com/author/stephen-crane/short-story/the-open-boat/ Richard Harding Davis' Death of Rodriguez: https://www.online-literature.com/richard-davis/cuba/3/ Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Let's talk: www.elmoreleonardofficial.com https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

From the bowels of Morro Prison on Havana Bay, Alex and Judd dive deep into CUBA LIBRE, Elmore Leonard’s masterful epic set at the height of tensions that led to The Spanish American War. In Part 1 they enjoy fine cigars, sort out whether it's better to be a fop or a dandy, all while trying to avoid being hacked to pieces by machetes.  Stephen Crane's The Open Boat: https://americanliterature.com/author/stephen-crane/short-story/the-open-boat/ Richard Harding Davis' Death of Rodriguez: https://www.online-literature.com/richard-davis/cuba/3/ Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

S.A. COSBY - the best-selling and award winning author of My Darkest Prayer, Razorblade Tears, All the Sinners Bleed, The Rhythm of Time (with Questlove!), joins us to talk Elmore, what's special about Viriginia, Walter Mosely, the greatest 11th grade teacher ever, and his new book, King of Ashes.  Buy King of Ashes here:  https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250832078/kingofashes/ Guest: S.A. Cosby Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: https://x.com/elmorepodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com  

MEGAN ABBOTT - bestselling author of Dare Me, the Edgar Award-winning Queenpin, Die a Little, and the upcoming El Dorado Drive (a New York Times Summer Book Pick) joins The Elmore Leonard Podcast to discuss carrying on the American hard boiled tradition, tells us what Elmore freed her to do in her own writing, and shares what we can learn from Kafka's cleaning lady.  Find some of Megan's essays here Enjoy Megan's interview with Elmore here https://www.meganabbott.com Guest: Megan Abbott Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: @ElmorePodcast hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com      

From deep within the kitchen of a rotating restaurant in beautiful downtown Detroit, Alex and Judd revisit OUT OF SIGHT - an all time Elmore Leonard classic. They dive deep into the book, discuss Stockholm Syndrome, share some of their own bad life choices, and more in the latest episode of The Elmore Leonard Podcast.  Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com @ElmorePodcast Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Scott Frank is one of the great screenwriters and storytellers of the modern age. Films he has written include Minority Report, Marley & Me, Logan, The Interpreter, and, of course, GET SHORTY and OUT OF SIGHT. Scott wrote and directed The Lookout and A Walk Among the Tombstones, based on the classic Lawrence Block novel. He's also created some of the most well regarded television shows in recent years, including Godless, Queen's Gambit, Monsieur Spade and the upcoming Department Q on Netlflix.  We were thrilled to get to speak with him in this wide ranging conversation. Scott shares his experience working working with Jersey Films on Get Shorty and Out of Sight, getting advice from Elmore (some terrifying, some perhaps unintended), how writing the novel Shaker helped him as a screenwriter, and why sometimes you just need a good Wilford Brimely scene. https://youtu.be/bLeWVq7tQgQ Guest: Scott Frank Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com  

Revisiting what many consider to be Elmore Leonard’s most unusual novel, TOUCH is a revelatory experience for Alex and Judd. Written in 1977 but not published until almost ten years later, it stands out for so many reasons. Hear why it’s one of Judd’s favorite novels and what Alex thinks Elmore got right about the music business.  Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard Links mentioned in the show:  Tom Arnold vs Peter Criss on Donahue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zExVd0xUH0g www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com  

Dennis Lehane is the best-selling and Edgar-award winning author of over a dozen books including A Drink Before the War, World Gone By, and most recently, Small Mercies. Films based on his work include Mystic River, directed by Clint Eastwood, Gone Baby Gone and Live By Night, both directed by Ben Affleck, Shutter Island, directed by Martin Scorsese and The Drop, which Dennis wrote the screenplay for and which was directed by Michael Roskam.  In our conversation he shares some of what he learned from Elmore, talks about working at Walden Books, what he likes about working in television, what it will take for him to write another novel, and so much more.  Guest: Dennis Lehane Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com  

Alex and Judd sip some mezcal and try to wrangle Elmore’s classic western novel HOMBRE (1961), later turned into Paul Newman’s classic western film HOMBRE (1967). This book has it all: gunfights, parleys, biblical references, and stolen fortunes. It is one of Elmore's best Western novels, and its success as a movie is what allowed him to pursue writing full time.  Please note that while we discuss some of the best westerns, this podcast is not currently sponsored by any hotel chain.  Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Charles Ardai is the co-founder and editor of Hard Case Crime, a publishing house devoted to hardboiled crime fiction. Hard Case crime titles range from lost noir masterpieces to new novels by today’s most powerful writers, all featuring stunning original cover art in the grand pulp style. Authors include award-winning modern masters like Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates, Lawrence Block, and Donald E. Westlake, Golden-Age giants like Erle Stanley Gardner, James M. Cain, and Ray Bradbury. While Hard Case has never published any of Elmore’s work, it wasn't for lack of trying. We were very glad we were able to to speak with Charles to get an insider’s view of the publishing business. www.hardcasecrime.com Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

Chip Kidd is one of the greatest living graphic designers. He has designed book covers for not just Elmore Leonard, but Michael Crichton, Cormac McCarthy, Haruki Murakami, Anne Rice, David Sedaris, John Updike, James Ellroy, and so many more. He joins us to share a little bit about his approach to designing iconic book covers, how he started working with Elmore, and writing his own novels.  Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

There are few people who have worked with Elmore Leonard as closely as Michael Siegel. While he didn’t write the books, Michael was an integral part of several of Elmore’s books get turned into some fantastic movies, including Get Shorty, Jackie Brown and Out of Sight.  He joins Judd to talk about how he got his start in the entertainment industry working for another legend - H.N. Swanson, and what it meant to to work with Elmore for over 20 years.  Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com

There were ten rules to recording to this podcast about SWAG - what many Elmore Leonard fans consider their favorite novel, but don't expect Judd and Alex to follow many of them for long.  Join them to discuss this amazing book, hear about Elmore's days by the pool, and debate what it was that Elmore figured out by writing this book.  Hosted By: Judd Rubin and Alex Leonard Music by: Greg Ahee Produced and Edited by: Judd Rubin Executive Producer: Peter Leonard www.elmoreleonardofficial.com Let's talk: hello@theelmoreleonardpodcast.com