Elmore Leonard, acclaimed author and screenwriter, passed away at the age of 87 on Wednesday, August 20th, 2013. Born in New Orleans, Leonard, who has been referred to as "America's Dickens", was widely known for his western and crime fiction novels, as well as his many short stories and screenplays for film and television, which were made into films such as Get Shorty and Out of Sight. His brilliant career spanned five decades and earned him numerous awards and honors. Most notably, Leonard won an Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture in 1998, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by PEN USA in 2009. Leonard is survived by five children and will be remembered for his unique style of writing, which was characterized by its wry humor and sharp dialogue. He will also be remembered as a master storyteller, a teacher of the craft of writing, and an inspiration to aspiring authors everywhere.