E. Lynn Harris: The Tyler Perry of Books

E. Lynn Harris started his journey as an author peddling his books out of the trunk of his car. He would go from city to city with his self-published tome Invisible Life. The former IBM computer salesman sold thousands of copies this way before landing an agent and getting a major publishing deal. That was 15 years ago.

At the beginning of the month, Harris's 10th book, Basketball Jones, was released, and for the 10th consecutive time, he made it onto the New York Times Best Seller's List (as well as the BV Hot Picks List), making him the most successful black author of all time.

The College Survival Guide

A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.

Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.

Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.

Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.

MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.

Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age

Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.

Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.

Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.

Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!

"When I found out, I was so very excited," said Harris. "This has been bittersweet. This book got very little press, very little promotion, but my fans...my fans are so faithful and loyal. They are the reason why I do what I do."

Harris doesn't suffer from an overactive ego that seems to plague other successful authors. He is known for being gracious and humble. He gives the same smile, warmth and love to the 100th person waiting on line at his book signings as he does the first. His commitment to his fans is just as passionate as when he was depending on them to buy books out of the trunk of his car.

"I tell people all of the time that without the fans, I'm nothing," said Harris from a recent book signing in Los Angeles. "This journey has not been about me. And I am grateful to God to be able to make that connection and tell these stories and have people relate to them the way that they do."

Harris burst onto the scene with his tales about men who live double lives on the DL (a closeted gay man) -- they were prominent NFL players and wealthy businessmen. Many of the stories were borrowed from real life. Harris, the first black male cheerleader in the nation at the University of Arkansas, had seen firsthand much of the drama shrouding the controversial DL phenomenon.

However, Harris's books were never limited to that topic. In fact, it's hard to put him in a box. His books rival anything Jackie Collins and Danielle Steele have done. And the DL theme is not prevalent in most of his hits.

Harris says he started writing while walking to school as a boy in Arkansas. "I went to a predominately white school on the other side of town," he said. "My mom worked hard, and we couldn't afford for me to take the bus. So as I walked through these pristine white neighborhoods, I used to make up stories about the people who lived in their big houses, and that's how I was able to get through all of those miles I walked every day. And my stories just took off from there."

Now, Harris promises to take it even further. He has a few surprises up his sleeve this year, with a couple of books coming out and the revival of a very popular character. "It's all for my fans," he said. "They deserve the best of what I have to offer. And God has blessed me to be able to deliver!"

HOT ON HUFFPOST BLACKVOICES:

Categories

Contributors

Other BV Blogs