E. Lynn Harris, Best-Selling Author, Dead at Age 54

On a sad note, best-selling author E. Lynn Harris has died 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 tour on the West Coast to promote his 11th novel, Basketball Jones, when he died.

Harris was, perhaps, 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" mentality in professional sports. Basketball Jones is the story of an NBA star and his gay lover.

Harris was born in Michigan and raised in Arkansas. Harris recently taught English at the University of Arkansas as a visiting professor. He will be greatly missed.