Elmore Leonard Is Hospitalized, Crime Novelist Recovering From Stroke

Crime novelist Elmore Leonard remains in the hospital after suffering from a stroke last week, The Detroit News reported.

Leonard's researcher, Gregg Sutter, confirmed the news today. He is being cared for at an unknown Detroit area hospital.

"Elmore had a stroke; it happened a week ago, last Monday. He's doing better every day, and the family is guardedly optimistic," Sutter said. "He's showing great spirit. He's a fighter, and we're glad to see that."

Leonard, 87, has written 45 novels. Sutter mentioned that he is "working very hard" on his 46th novel.

According to his Facebook page (which is operated by Sutter), the film adaptation of his book "The Switch," titled "Life of Crime," will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

Just last November, Leonard was awarded with a medallion from the National Book Foundation, representing lifetime achievement. He has also been award with the Peabody Award (2011), the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award (2008), the Louisiana Writer Award (2006), and Grand Master Edgar Award (1992).

Many of his novels have been turned in to major films. His short story "Three-Ten to Yuma" which was twice adapted into a movie, "3:10 to Yuma", and was nominated for two Academy Awards in 2007.

In addition, "Hombre," "Get Shorty," "Out of Sight," and "Jackie Brown" were made into films as well. The F/X series "Justified" was based on "Fire in the Hole," a novella he wrote in 2001, which inspired him to write a novel, "Raylan," about the title character in 2012.

Leonard has been a longtime resident of Bloomfield Township in Detroit. On living in the area, Leonard said in 2012, "I like it. Great music ... lot of poverty. I wouldn't move anywhere else. Now, it's too late. I'd never be able to drive in San Francisco or Los Angeles."