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Here's an E. Lynn Harris tribute piece that I wrote and compiled for The Root:

Although it's still hard to believe that he's gone, E. Lynn Harris's understated impact as a writer, mentor, and truth-seeker can no longer be denied, ignored, or overlooked.

He was an honest storyteller. He illuminated the lives of gay black men, in particular, in ways that the book world hadn't truly seen before. He encouraged us to talk about differences, but to recognize our commonalities. He went there; he discussed taboo topics from AIDS to homophobia in the black church.

He self-published his own work and took it to the people. He sold books out of his trunk and in barber shops and beauty salons. He went on to become a New York Times bestselling author with more than four million books in print. Indeed, he taught the antiquated book publishing industry a few things.

He wrote books that people wanted to read. During an interview with me in July of last year, he said, "I think I've been a success because I write about things I'm passionate about and have something to say. I think people relate to me because they know I relate to them." He also used his life as an example, reminding us that the struggles of the human soul are universal. "I'm more at peace with myself than ever before," he told me when I asked about his personal life. "I think a lot of that comes with age and putting demons to rest for good."

Writing wasn't just something he did; it was a part of him. He had been working on a young adult book and a novel about three generations of black women. And even after several published works to his credit, he had no intentions of quitting. "I will never stop writing," he told me. "It's my life line....This is one career I never hope to retire from."

The African American (literary) community owes Harris a tremendous amount of gratitude for breaking down walls of silence, resistance, and ignorance, and for encouraging a host of writers to tell and publish their stories, no matter what others think. Although he's no longer with us, the words, expressions of sadness, and memories from writers gathered below proves his long-lasting influence.

Tina McElroy Ansa, author and publisher of DownSouth Press:

In a time when it was not always easy, my friend and author-brother wrote fiction and memoir with courage, honesty and commitment. His characters were as alive to him as they were to his readers. And his stories came from the best source a writer could have: his heart.

I can't call him on the phone anymore, but that won't deter our continued friendship and kinship.

Keith Boykin, writer and editor of The Daily Voice:

I still can't believe this. E. Lynn Harris has been a dear friend for years. He literally got me started as an author. He read an essay I wrote in law school and recommended me to his editor at Doubleday. He encouraged me every step of the way with every book I wrote and he mentioned me in several of his books.

He's one of the most prolific writers I've ever met, and also one of the most generous. When I was looking for an editor, he put me in touch with his. And when I was looking for an agent, he again recommended his own.

I just spoke to Lynn on Sunday and he was well. The Daily Voice presented an award to him in January at the Inauguration and he couldn't make it to Washington to accept. I've been holding onto it for months, thinking I would see him soon, so I finally called him to find out where to send the award.

Lynn loved sports and in his last email to me, we had a conversation about basketball. He could talk about cheerleading, football, writing, politics and musical theater with the greatest of ease.

He was also keenly aware of his critics, and I think he was hurt by some of the things that people said about him.

Read the rest of the tribute at The Root.