What is the cause of E. Lynn Harris death?
Gay African-American author E. Lynn Harris died Friday morning in Arkansas of a heart attack. He was 54. According to the Black Voices website, Harris was on a book tour promoting his 11th novel, Basketball Jones, about a pro basketball player and his gay lover. Harris’s books include his debut Invisible Life, If This World Were Mine, Abide With Me, Not a Day Goes By, Any Way the Wind Blows, I Say a Little Prayer, and other novels depicting the experiences of African-American gay men. Harris also wrote a memoir, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, a New York Times best seller in 2003. Harris has also written for Essence, The Washington Post, and Sports Illustrated. If This World Were Mine was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, and won the James Baldwin Award for Literary Excellence. He also founded the E. Lynn Harris Better Days Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support to aspiring writers and artists. Sources:
Atlanta author E. Lynn Harris died Friday at age 54 during a west coast book tour. In a statement to the AJC, Alison Rich, Doubleday executive director of publicity said: “We at Doubleday are deeply shocked and saddened to learn of E. Lynn Harris’ death at too young an age. His pioneering novels and powerful memoir about the black gay experience touched and inspired millions of lives, and he was a gifted storyteller whose books brought delight and encouragement to readers everywhere. Lynn was a warm and generous person, beloved by friends, fans, and booksellers alike, and we mourn his passing.” A cause of death was not immediately known. Further inquiries were directed to the Los Angeles coroner’s office. In January of this year, Harris began the book tour for his 11th best-seller “Basketball Jones” here in Atlanta with a signing at one of his favorite book shops, Outwrite Books in Midtown. Check back at Ajc.com this afternoon for updates as
E. Lynn Harris Died Today At Age 54: Openly gay best-selling author E. Lynn Harris has died today at age 54. At the time of his death, Harris was on a West Coast book tour for his new book, “Basketball Jones,” a novel about the gay lover of an NBA star. Harris first gained notoriety in the 90s with books such as Invisible Life, Just As I Am, and And This Too Shall Pass, which dealt with issues common in Black gay America. The exact cause of death has not been released. So far, Harris’ personal assistant is citing the cause of his passing as due to an unspecified health event. Harris also served as a visiting professor at the University of Arkansas in its English department. His contribution to American literature will sorely be missed. R.I.P. Update: It has been reported the cause of death was a heart attack Sources: http://blackgaygossip.com/?
