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E. Lynn Harris

Born: 1955 in Flint, Michigan
Died: 2009 in Los Angeles, California

Pen Name: None

Connection to Illinois: Harris lived in Chicago. His book, ''And This Too Shall Pass'', was set in Chicago.

Biography: E. Lynn Harris was an American author who rose from self-publishing to best-selling status. He was best known as a pioneer of gay black fiction. He authored ten consecutive books to make ''The New York Times'' Best Seller list. After graduating with honors from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1977, Harris went to work as a sales executive for IBM. Five years later, he quit his job as a computer salesman and used $25,000 of his own money to print ''Invisible Life.'' It was published as a Doubleday paperback in 1994 and quickly soared to number one on the Blackboard Bestseller List of African American titles.Harris also edited two books, ''Freedom in the Village: Twenty-five years of Black, Gay Men's Writing'' in 2004 and ''Gumbo: A Celebration of African American Writers'' with Marita Golden in 2002. He founded the E. Lynn Harris Better Days Foundation, a nonprofit company that provides support to aspiring writers and artists.


Awards:

E. Lynn Harris on WorldCat : http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=e.++lynn+harris


Selected Titles

  A love of my own
ISBN: 9781415951408 OCLC: 213331841

Books on Tape, New York : 2002.

A love of my own takes on the universal issue of class and how changes in economic status among family and friends can often disrupt, confuse, and wound. But love, a signature Harris theme, abounds in this novel. As a band of close-knit characters (old and new) navigates life's challenges and tries to find their place in the world, each person goes on a journey.

A love of my own :
ISBN: 140007553X OCLC: 301134342

Doubleday, New York : ©2002.

After Zola Norwood meets media mogul Davis McClinton on a New York-bound flight, he makes her a couple of offers before they even land. One is editing his hot new urban style magazine Bling Bling. The other is more personal.

Abide with me /
ISBN: 0786250623 OCLC: 51652895

Thorndike Press, Waterville, Me. : 2003.

  Abide with me :
ISBN: 9780307913951 OCLC: 694732462

Books on Tape, Westminster, Md. : ℗2011.

The interwoven lives of two black couples, one straight, the other homosexual. Raymond and Trent of Seattle are the homosexuals, while Jared and Nicole of New York are married. They are connected because Raymond, a lawyer, was engaged to Nicole, an actress. The novel follows their dramas, including Raymond's when his nomination for a federal judgeship is threatened by Trent's criminal record. By the author of Just As I Am.

And this too shall pass :
ISBN: 9780307831743 OCLC: 824698142

Anchor Books, New York : 1997, ©1996.

A stellar quarterback, an ambitious sportscaster. What happens when rising stars collide? In this novel, the author takes us into the locker rooms and newsrooms of Chicago, where four lives are about to intersect in romance and scandal. At the heart of the novel is the celibate Zurich, a rookie quarterback for the Chicago Cougars whose trajectory for superstardom is interrupted by a sexual assault charge by Mia, a sportscaster with her own sights on fame. With his career in jeopardy, Zurich hires Tamela, a high-powered attorney, to defend him, while Sean, a gay sportswriter, covers the story and uncovers his heart. 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.

And this too shall pass :
ISBN: 0786263636 OCLC: 54022673

Thorndike Press, Waterville, Me. : 2004.

In the locker rooms and newsrooms of Chicago, four lives are about to intersect in romance and scandal. At the heart of the story is the celibate Zurich, a rookie quarterback for the Chicago Cougars whose trajectory for superstardom is interrupted by a sexual-assault charge by Mia -- a sportscaster with her own sights on fame. With his career in jeopardy, Zurich hires Tamela, a high-powered attorney, to defend him, while Sean, a gay sportswriter, covers the story and uncovers his heart.

Any way the wind blows /
ISBN: 078625792X OCLC: 52493979

Thorndike Press, Waterville, Me. : 2003.

Left at the altar a year before, jilted Broadway bombshell Yancey Harrington Braxton stages her comeback -- this time as a recording star. But has she forgiven ex-fiance John Basil Henderson, or does she still need to even the score? As Yancey's star continues to rise, her past threatens to catch up with her and she fears someone may be after her. In a wicked little dance of revenge, Basil and Yancey struggle to keep their lives on track, while a chorus of unforgettable characters either come to their aid or make matters worse.

Basketball Jones
ISBN: 0307278670 OCLC: 298840590

Doubleday, New York : ©2009.

Aldridge James AJ Richardson has never had to work a regular job, thanks to his longtime lover, Dray Jones. Dray is a rich and famous NBA star. To make it to the big time, Dray must juggle his public image and his private desires. When Dray's teammates begin to ask insinuating questions about AJ, Dray puts their doubts to rest by marrying Judi, a beautiful and ambitions woman. Judi knows nothing about Dray's other life. Or does she?

I say a little prayer
ISBN: 9780307387585 OCLC: 236488016

Anchor Books, New York : 2007.

Chauncey Greer the owner of Cute Boy Card Company and former boy band member is inspired to follow his dream of a singing career once again by a minister's message. After singing in church he is invited to sing at an upcoming revival. When Chauncey discovers the preacher is planning to speak out against gays and gay marriage, he and other gay members along with their friends and family stage a Day of absence.

  If This World Were Mine
ISBN: 9781442095663 OCLC: 500820014

Paw Prints 2010.

If this world were mine :
ISBN: 0786258950 OCLC: 52773411

Thorndike Press, Waterville, ME : 2003.

Reuniting nearly a decade after their graduation from Howard University, four friends and their spouses play a game called "If This World Were Mine," a diversion that brings to light sexual tensions, dark secrets, and hidden animosities.

In my father's house
ISBN: 9781429921107 OCLC: 861515003

Only the world's most beautiful models make the roster of the Picture Perfect Modeling Agency, and they only do shoots for the most elite photographers and magazines.--Page 4 of cover.

  Invisible life
ISBN: 9780739377253 OCLC: 327637457

Random House ; New York : ℗2009.

Raymond Tyler is committed to his longtime girlfriend Sela, but finds himself sexually attracted to Kelvin, a friend from law school. Raymond moves to New York to escape both Sela and Kelvin and finds himself more confused.

Invisible life /
ISBN: 0786250550 OCLC: 51152078

Thorndike Press, Waterville, Me. : 2003.

A young man graduating from college discovers his bisexuality and spends the next eight years alternately trying to face and deny the truth of his passions.

Just as I am :
ISBN: 9780307831736 OCLC: 824698733

Anchor Books, New York : 1995.

Raymond, a young Black lawyer from the South, struggles to come to terms with his sexuality and AIDS, while Nicole, an aspiring actress and singer, attempts to find a genuine love relationship.

Just as I am :
ISBN: 0786250542 OCLC: 51306076

Thorndike Press, Waterville, ME : 2003.

Raymond, a young African American lawyer from the South, struggles to come to terms with his sexuality and AIDS, while Nicole, an aspiring actress and singer, attempts to find a genuine love relationship.

Just too good to be true
ISBN: 9780385492737 OCLC: 244396263

Doubleday, New York : ©2008.

Brady Bledsoe and his mother, Carmyn, have a strong relationship. A single mother, faithful churchgoer, and the owner of several successful Atlanta beauty salons, Carmyn has devoted herself to her son and his dream of becoming a professional football player. Brady has always followed her lead, including becoming a member of the church's Celibacy Circle. Now in his senior year at college, the smart, and very handsome, Brady is a lead contender for the Heisman Trophy and a spot in the NFL. As sports agents hover around Brady, Barrett, a beautiful and charming cheerleader, sets her mind on tempting the celibate Brady and getting a piece of his multimillion-dollar future--but is that all she wants from him, and is she acting alone?

Mama dearest
ISBN: 9781476708980 OCLC: 762232944

Pocket Books/Karen Hunter Pub., New York : 2009.

Yancey Harrington Braxton's plans to star in a reality television series are threatened by Madison B., an up-and-coming star and Yancey's long-lost daughter, and her own mother, Ava Middlebrooks, who is desperate for a comeback.

No one in the world /
ISBN: 1439178097 OCLC: 658169759

Simon & Schuster, New York : 2011.

Follows the experiences of a gay social climber and his career criminal brother, who reunite thirty years after being separated as children.

  No one in the world :
ISBN: 9781616378462 OCLC: 779255342

[Manufactured and distributed by] Findaway World, LLC, Solon, Ohio : [2012], ℗2011.

Follows the experiences of a gay social climber and his career criminal brother, who reunite thirty years after being separated as children.

Not a day goes by :
ISBN: 9780307427038 OCLC: 680652498

Anchor Books, New York : [2010]

On the morning of their wedding, Basil Henderson, ex-football player and rising sports agent, telephones Broadway star Yancey Harrington Braxton to tell her that he just can't go through with it.

  What Becomes of the Brokenhearted :
ISBN: 1299043801 OCLC: 843008420

Anchor, 2012.

What becomes of the brokenhearted :
ISBN: 0385495064 OCLC: 55981030

The author recounts his life, from his childhood in Arkansas as a lonely closeted gay boy, through his years at the University of Arkansas and employment at IBM, to his hard-earned success as a bestselling author.

 

 

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