NYT Best Selling Author E. Lynn Harris Dies at 54

UPDATE: Server problems because of traffic.

Best selling black and openly gay author Everette Lynn Harris passed away overnight. He was on a book tour of the West Coast and only 54 years old.

Harris' work dealt with black gay culture, homophobia, religion and the black community. The plots—often featured around sports or entertainment—were a huge success with black women and made him a fixture on black talk radio. Harris was a passionate University of Arkansas Razorbacks fan and returned to his alma mater a visiting professor in the English department. Harris also recently became a mentor and father figure to two college students and athletes. "He was a very loving and involved dad," adds director Patrik Ian Polk.

In January, Harris wrote his 11th novel, Basketball Jones. The plot was ripped from the headlines about a closeted professional basketball player and a blackmail scandal. The book also featured the character of a well-known black gay blogger, which Harris said was inspired by this blog. Harris told Rod 2.0 the story came to him after a call from the manager of an NBA player. "The player wanted my advice because they were being blackmailed and were thinking about coming out. I was not told his name, or what team he played for, only that he might call and was considering coming out of the closet. ... So I started thinking, 'What if there were a professional basketball player who was involved with a man and wanted to come out?'"

Reportedly the author went into cardiac arrest last night after having dinner in Beverly Hills. Harris recently complained of his health and the stress of the book tour.

The news broke this morning across Twitter, the uber-popular instant message social networking platform. Patrik Ian Polk (@PatrikIanPolk), the director and creator of Noah's Arc, was supposed to meet Harris this afternoon for lunch and Tweets the details to Rod 2.0: "I called the [Peninsula Hotel] in Beverly Hills, to confirm lunch and hopefully laugh about the erroneous reports of his death. When the operator transferred me to a hotel manager, I knew something strange was up. This is unbelievable."

Polk adds that Lynn was visiting with one of his son's frat brothers "when he went into cardiac arrest ... I'm in shock. To have just spoken to him yesterday afternoon, this is hard to believe."

Keith Boykin adds: "Cedars-Sinai Hospital told Lynn's agent that [he] died Thursday night and his body is being transferred to the coroner's office." Harris' novel I Say a Little Prayer included a cameo by Boykin, marking his first appearance in a novel. Boykin's tribute to Harris is at The Daily Voice.

The Detroit native stormed the literary scene in 1994 with Invisible Life, an originally self-published story of bisexual Raymond Tyler. That and the sequel Just As I Am were among the earliest in a new wave of black gay literature that popularized and humanized black gay and bisexual literary characters. Harris was picked up by publishing giant Doubleday and had a string of best selling novels, including Any Way the Wind Blows, Abide with Me, Not a Day Goes By, and I Say a Little Prayer. Harris also wrote a memoir, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, another New York Times best seller. Harris ultimately had ten  New York Times best sellers. This feat has never been rivaled by any black author.

On a personal level: Lynn was a friend, a mentor and a very strong supporter of  Rod 2.0. Before meeting in Chicago in the mid 90s, we actually had friends in common for several years and his ex, also named Roderick, was a mutual friend. (The joke was "Which Rod? 'Lynn' Rod or 'Rod Rod'?") Years later, when we finally met, ELH was guarded but extremely loving and giving. Lynn was very supportive of me last year during a personal problem and offered help, which I humbly refused. More importantly: Lynn never lost the common touch. Lynn often made Rod 2.0 his first stop on interviews and many times personally responded to comments, supportive and negative, via email. Classy to the end.

Thanks @PatrikIanPolk!

You May Have Missed...
E. Lynn Harris on New Novel "Basketball Jones" [R20]
A Conversation with E. Lynn Harris [R20]
We Don't Feel Welcome Here [R20]
Say A Little Prayer: ELH Interview [R20]

Comments

[THEGAYTKEEPER]

DAMN!!!

[Keith]

Just as I was getting over the passing of MJ, now this news. This hurts to lose a teller of our stories, a frat brother and a genuinely nice guy. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a book signing when Invisible Life was out.

[SamSure]

His books let me know that I was not alone in this world. His stories cleansed me of my own self-hatred and made me feel comfortable within myself.

I am extremely saddened tonight, but so thankful to the Almighty for blessing us with the life of E. Lynn Harris. I know that Harris is watching over all of us whom he has left behind.

I am hurt that I never made it to a book signing and never got to thank him personally...but if it's the Lord's Will to let me enter Heaven, I'll look forward to having that conversation with Harris someday.

E. Lynn - We love You! Rest in Peace.

[Dennis]

Unlike most, I knew E. Lynn personally. He was a kind-hearted man with so much love to give. He truly cared about human rights. He would do anything for anybody. He was a pioneer for so many people who needed answers. The world is cruel, and this man stood up and said to his people, "it's okay." He loved life, he loved writing, and he also inspired me to begin writing. It is my hope that his writings will continue to help those who reached out to him. GOD bless E. Lynn. He was my friend. --Dennis Hopson NJ

[Honut SInti]

I am just so heartbroken by the news of E. Lynn's death. My best friend of many years who passed away in 2007 clued me to E. Lynn and I bought everyone one of his books and enjoyed reading all of them.

I understand from another news source that E. Lynn was diabetic and suffered cardiac arrest.

RIP E. Lynn. You will definitely be missed. My sympathies to his family and friends.

Summer 2009 is getting a little hard to take.

[D.bARR]

A class act until the very end....

[Honut SInti]

And let us not forget E. Lynn's absolutely radiant smile! As my dear friend used to say, "Man, his smile can light up the darkest room and lift everyone's spirit!"

[Paul561]

@William, I can truly relate!

[GHW]

In today's (Sunday, 26th July, 2009) episode of This Week with George Stephanopoulos, three (3)individuals were specifically referred to in the In Memoriam segment. Of these three (3), only E. Lynn Harriss was not identified by name, impact or influence; he was aslo the only African-American in the group.

[Ash]

He was a best selling author. Yet, he was never featured on Oprah. However, the Oprah show allowed that clown J.l King to be on the show spreading lies and all kind of craziness. E. Lynn was writing about the so called D.L phenom long before that buffoon J.L came on the scene.

[Lena Wingfield]

I stopped in my tracks while listening to NPR on Sunday morning. They talked about their last interview with E Lynn Harris as though no more were to ever follow. I had to make myself take a deep breath and listen to the news that he had died on Thursday. Immediately, I Googled for confirmation. My deepest, heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. I give thanks for his courage and presence on earth.

[Mikey- He Likes It]

I remember giving Invisible Life to a bisexual friend for Christmas one year. He later called me and said it was one of the best gifts he'd ever received and thanked me for giving him the book he always was searching for. E Lynn's work had such a huge impact on so many black gay/bi men trying to figure themselves out. This is a tragic loss and I am deeply saddened. Another icon gone too soon but certainly not forgotten.