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In July, the death of E. Lynn Harris rocked the literary world. But some of today’s most popular Black authors are gearing up to celebrate the life of the ‘Invisible Life’ author in a big way.
Sept. 25 has been deemed ‘E. Lynn Harris Day,’ where friends, colleagues and noted authors will gather to read excerpts from his latest novel, ‘Mama Dearest,’ and share some of their fondest memories of the best-selling author. See a list of participating locations, authors and contact information E. Lynn Harrisbelow.
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E Lynn Harris Tomes
Invisible Life
E. Lynn Says: “The saga begins”
Released in 1991, ‘Invisible Life’ marks Harris’ debut as an novelist through this coming of age story. Law school, girlfriends, and career choices were all part of Raymond Tyler’s life, but there were other issues for him to confront.
Barnes and Noble
Just As I Am
E. Lynn Says: “Avoid sophomore jinks.”
Released in 1995, ‘Just As I Am’ picks up where ‘Invisible Life’ left off. In this vivid portrait of contemporary black life, with all its pressures and the complications of bisexuality, AIDS, and racism, Harris confirms a faith in the power of love — love of all kinds — to thrill and to heal, which will warm the hearts of readers everywhere.
Barnes and Noble
And This Too Shall Pass
E. Lynn Says:“The country takes notice.”
Released in 1997, Harris takes us into the locker rooms and newsrooms of Chicago, where four lives are about to intersect in romance and scandal. All of these characters face the challenge of keeping the faith – in themselves and in God – while Harris’s heartfelt storytelling reveals how the love of family can help one to face the terrible legacy of long-held secrets.
Barnes and Noble
If This World Were Mine
E. Lynn Says: “A tribute to the fabulous friends I have.”
Released in 1998, four close friends from the Hampton Institute share their personal diaries each month at a gathering filled with humor, gossip, and affirmation. But after five years, the once-strong bonds of friendship are weakening, and the group must handle challenges of work, lost love, and a stranger in their midst: gray-eyed John Basil Henderson, a former NFL star whose past has begun to haunt him.
Barnes and Noble
Abide With Me
E. Lynn Says: “I believe In Love.”
Released in 2000, Harris reintroduces his readers to the beloved characters of Nicole Springer and Raymond Tyler, Jr. Nicole has recently settled in order to pursue her dream of returning to the Broadway stage, and Seattle, where a late-night phone call from a U.S. Senator is about to change Raymond’s life dramatically.
Barnes and Noble
Not A Day Goes By
E. Lynn Says: “A diva helps me to explode. Miss number one by a whisper.”
Released in 2008, this thrilling novel marks the return of Yancey Braxton and John Basil Henderson. This time around Yancy is desperately searching for an audition on Broadway but ends up falling into Basil’s arms. The couple’s romance leads to their wedding that will be full of suspense.
Barnes and Noble
Any Way The Wind Blows
E. Lynn Says: “Going to the river again.”
Released in 2002, Broadway diva Yancey Braxton makes a comeback to the social scene as a recording star. In addition to stepping back into the lime light, Braxton has forgiven ex-fiancé John Basil Henderson. As Braxton’s celebrity continues to rise she fears that her past may comeback to haunt her.
Barnes and Noble
A Love of My Own
E. Lynn Says:“How rich black people can some time act.”
Released in 2003, Editor-In-Chief of ‘Bling Bling’ magazine, Zola Norwood, find herself in a compromising position with media mogul Davis McClinton on a New York bound flight. One position is landing a position as his editor-in-chief. The other is landing the married man in her bed.
Barnes and Noble
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
E. Lynn Says: “I knew you when.”
Released in 2004, Harris opens up on how writing saved his life in this touching memoir. Not to mention his relationship with his abusive father, his 1990 suicide attempt, and his first gay relationship. The novelist stated, “The lessons I have learned are not limited to race, gender, or sexual orientation. Anyone can learn from my journey.”
Barnes and Noble
I Say A Little Prayer
E. Lynn Says: “God Loves Me Too”
Released in 2006, Chauncey Greer, a successful greeting card company owner, makes his return to a singing career that had launched as a teen. Upon his return, Chauncey is caught in the middle of a protest over homophobia in church — which is when Greer’s former singing partner/lover makes an unexpected appearance.
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Earlier this week, Eric Jermone Dickey, RM Johnson, Tina McElroy Ansa, Clarence Nero, Tracie Howard and Laura Gilmore gathered at Outwrite Books in Atlanta, where Harris lived and often began his tours.
Earlier this year, Harris signed on for a three-book deal with Karen Hunter Publishing, which released ‘Mama Dearest’ this week. Journalist-turned-author Karen Hunter launched her Pocket Books/Simon & Schuster imprint two years ago. At the time, the Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe had no plans to enlist Harris as one of her writers – that is until he called her in January for business advice. With his editor gone from Random House, the 54 year-old was itching to make a change.
What Hunter, who has penned New York Times best sellers for the likes of Karrine Steffans, LL Cool J and Wendy Williams, said she remembers most is the Detroit native’s giving spirit.
“It was ironic that he called me out of the blue,” the former New York Daily News columnist told BV Newswire yesterday. “He got my number from one of my other authors, and after I listened to what he was going through, I was in a position to help him. The next week, we put together a contract and were able to buy ‘Mama Dearest.’”
‘Mama Dearest’ ended up being his final tome. It features the return of one of Harris’ most popular characters, Yancey Harrington Braxton, and ventures away from the taboo theme of down-low gay black men that has been consistent throughout his novels. Instead, he tells the story of a mother and daughter.
Harris remains the first and only Black author to date to have 10 back-to-back New York Times best-selling novels. Yet, his stories have not translated to the big screen like the works of other black novelists such as Terry McMillan (‘Waiting to Exhale’) or even Toni Morrison (‘Beloved’). “He talked to me about what he was going to do in L.A. with the movie, but he was disheartened he didn’t have the big movies like Terry, who is like his contemporary in terms of writing style,” Hunter revealed. “He wanted to see his books translated to the big screen.”
She noted, “It’s a weird thing with us. The gay issue and the stigma within the black community is still a tough one to overcome. I can’t name a blockbuster successful movie that had a gay love scene with men.”
Shortly before his death, Harris was said to have taken meetings to discuss a possible movie based on one of his novels, in addition to working to develop a play based on his debut, ‘Invisible Life,’ with Ashford & Simpson.
Ultimately, Hunter, who is busy penning Janet Jackson‘s autobiography and her own book, called ‘Niggardly,’ wants the tour to remind people of what a special person Harris was. Though she only knew him for a short time, she said the way he lived his life truly touched her.
“From a writing standpoint, he broke down many barriers, and I think his biggest legacy will be bringing authors together,” she said. “This tour came about because I was getting so many phone calls [from people saying] ‘What can I do?’ Everybody has an E. Lynn story of generosity and giving and reaching back.”
“His death is not to be in vain,” Hunter added. “And we have to keep that mission of bringing people together alive, and I think watching all of these great authors take time out, and they are stopping their own [book] tours, to pay tribute to him is something we can definitely continue.”
E. Lynn Harris Day Celebrations Across the USA
BALTIMORE
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
1819 Reisterstown Rd.
Phone: 410-415-5758
Hosted by: Tracie Howard
BIRMINGHAM, ALA
Books-A-Million @ 7 p.m.
140 Wildwood Pkwy
Phone: 205-942-4220
Hosted by: Brandon Harris
CLEVELAND
Joseph Beth @ 7 p.m.
Legacy Village
24519 Cedar Rd.
Phone: 216- 912-1975
Hosted by: Lolita Files
CHICAGO
Borders @ 7 p.m.
2210 W. 95th St.
Phone: 773-445-5471
Hosted by: Yolanda Jo
DALLAS
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
7700 West Northwest Hwy
Phone: 214-739-1124
Hosted by: Mary B. Morrison
DETROIT
Borders @ 7 p.m.
5601 Mercury Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: 313-271-4441
Hosted by: Terrance Dean
HOUSTON
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
7626 Westheimer
Phone: 713-783-6016
Hosted by: ReShonda Tate Billingsley
JACKSONVILLE, FLA
Books-A-Million @ 7 p.m.
25A 1910 Wells Rd.
Orange Park, FL
Phone: 904-215-2300
Hosted by: Tina McElroy Ansa
LITTLE ROCK, AK
Presented by Pyramid Books
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center @ 6:30 p.m.
500 West Ninth St.
Phone: 501-372-5824
Hosted by: Celia Anderson and Rhonda Holmes
LIVINGSTON, N.J.
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
Livingston Mall
112 Eisenhower Pkwy
Phone: 973-758-1310
Hosted by: Karen Hunter and Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire
LOS ANGELES
ESO Won Books @ 7 p.m.
4311 Degnan Blvd.
Phone: 323-290-1048
Hosted by: Tananarive Due and Eric Jerome Dickey
NEW ORLEANS
Afro-American Book Stop @ 5:30 p.m.
7056 Read Blvd.
Phone: 504-243-2436
Hosted by: Clarence Nero and Ms. Dupre
NEW YORK
Borders @ 7 p.m.
10 Columbus Circle
Phone: 212- 823-9775
Hosted by: Erika Kendrick and Sean Lewis
PHILADELPHIA
Borders 21 @ 12:30 p.m.
1 S. Broad, Suite 100
Phone: 215-568-7400
Hosted by: Brenda L. Thomas
SAVANNAH, GA
Barnes & Noble @ 7 p.m.
7804 Abercorn Ext.
Phone: 912-353-7757
Hosted by: Dr. Bertice Berry
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Borders @ 7 p.m.
931 Capital Centre Blvd.
Largo, MD 20744
Phone: 301-499-2173
Hosted by: Victoria Christopher Murray and Kimberla Lawson Roby
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