Why is Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris in the news today?
E. Lynn Harris, the best-selling author of novels that addressed the subject of gay black culture has died, his publicist told The Associated Press. He was 54. According to his official biography at his Web site, Mr. Harris was born in Flint, Mich. and raised in Little Rock, Ark. At the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, he was the school’s first black male Razorbacks cheerleader and was a lifelong fan of the team. He sold computers for a living until he self-published his first novel, “Invisible Life,” in 1991; it was picked up by Anchor Books in 1994, spawning a prolific writing career spanning ten more novels, from “Just As I Am” in 1994, to “Basketball Jones,” published in January, as well as a 2004 memoir, “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.” In a review of Mr. Harris’s 2006 novel “I Say a Little Prayer” in The New York Times Book Review, Troy Patterson wrote that Mr. Harris “has helped bring taboo topics — like closeted black men indulging their sexuality ‘on the down low’ —
Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris died today at age 54. According to Essence, the writer’s personal assistant declined to give details, but did confirm that Harris’ health had declined. He was in the middle of a West Coast tour to promote his 11th novel, Basketball Jones, when he passed away. Harris was best known for such successful novels as Invisible Life, Just As I Am, Too Good To Be True, Abide With Me, as well as his 2004 memoir What Becomes of The Brokenhearted. He specialized in writing about African-American gay culture, including the “down-low” phenomenon in the world of professional sports. (Basketball Jones is the story of an NBA star and his gay lover.) Sources: http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/07/bestselling-author-e-lynn-harris-has-died.
Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris died today at age 54. According to Essence, the writer’s personal assistant declined to give details, but did confirm that Harris’ health had declined. He was in the middle of a West Coast tour to promote his 11th novel, Basketball Jones, when he passed away. Harris was best known for such successful novels as Invisible Life, Just As I Am, Too Good To Be True, Abide With Me, as well as his 2004 memoir What Becomes of The Brokenhearted. He specialized in writing about African-American gay culture, including the “down-low” phenomenon in the world of professional sports. (Basketball Jones is the story of an NBA star and his gay lover.) Born in Michigan and raised in Arkansas, Harris recently taught English at the University of Arkansas as a visiting professor. Sources: http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/07/bestselling-author-e-lynn-harris-has-died.
