Selected Letters of James Ellroy

When I was writing James Ellroy’s biography, I received numerous letters from the Demon Dog himself. I have decided to publish an edited selection here. These are not scans of the originals, as they contain personal information which I would not release, but they are quotes which I think will be of interest to any readers of Ellroy who are interested in his unique voice in American literature.

This was the first letter I received from Ellroy after Bloomsbury gave me the contract to write his biography. I love the sensational spelling and the inimitable Demon Dog voice. Behind the swagger, however, you can tell that Ellroy is anticipating this will be a controversial project.

3/3/20

Dear Steve,

Soul Brutha, dat was goooooooood and gassy news that you’re writing the first full-on James Ellroy bio, and that Bloomsbury will be publishing it. I’ve got about 16 trillion questions about the book – such as what have you learned about my murky family life, both my parents being dissemblers and jive artists, and how many of my pissed-off ex-girlfriends have you managed to locate????? How will you deal with my ultra-Tory views in Today’s hothouse haze?????

Call me this week, Daddy-O. I got questions. Did you determine Joan Rosen Klein’s real-life identity — the “to J.M.” dedication of Blood’s a Rover — along with This Storm, my most romantic novel. The dedication to that book had to be an easy grab for you.

Keep the faith. I’m thrilled this is happening. Yo book gonna be goooooooood like a rabid pit bull!!!!!!

Godspeed,

Ellroy

I was fortunate in how generous Ellroy was in sharing his work, particularly unpublished work which I would see in tandem with Knopf. The Enchanters was a particularly exciting project as it marked a break from the planned Second LA Quartet, a decision that both Knopf and I felt was a good one, and it brought Ellroy much professional relief and personal fulfillment.

12/3/21

Dear Steve,

Kry havoc and let slip the Hell Hounds of War!!!!!

AAAOOOOHHHH!!!!!

Today, Leslie will be emailing you the 422-page outline for The Enchanters. It is FOR YOUR EYES ONLY!!!!!

Let’s talk when you have a moment. It’s been waaaaaaaaaay too long!!!!!!

Godspeed to you and yours,

Ellroy

After a somewhat tense moment in my research, things began to get a little frosty between Ellroy and I. However, he is a remarkably big-hearted and generous guy. He sent a gift of the complete series of The Fugitive and The Naked City on DVD, possibly as an olive branch. He wanted me to analyse Lois Nettleton’s performances, as he had made her the leading lady and Fred Otash’s girlfriend in The Enchanters.

11/21/20

Dear Steve,

So, Brother – what do you think of Lois Nettleton? Please feel free to respond at some length.

Godspeed, Ellroy

I would occasionally send gifts to Ellroy. For his seventy-fourth birthday I sent him a copy of volume three of Charles Moore’s biography of Margaret Thatcher. James is a conservative and a staunch admirer of Lady Thatcher, so I think I judged the gift well. Within a year of me sending him this gift, Love Me Fierce in Danger was published and readers could judge for themselves how accurate and compelling my biography of him had been.

3/15/22

Dear Steve,

Kry havoc and let slip the Blasphemous Bloodhounds of War!!!!!

And – most of all – many thanks for your thunderously thoughtful birthday gift of the concluding volume of Charles Moore’s Margaret Thatcher biography. It will – when combined with the first two volumes – lay the lowdown on the Great Woman’s life on me in significant and pithy detail. Not only do you rule all literary biographers, you rule all gift givers!!!!!

Godspeed, Ellroy