Living Out Loud with Darian

On Tuesday night at Eso Wan bookstore in Los Angeles, my wait to meet E. Lynn Harris came to an end as he greeted a small but eager group of fans to sign his new book “I Say a Little Prayer”. This was my first book signing so I didn’t really know what to expect. E. Lynn delivered above and beyond my expectations.

The signing began on time at 7 pm(see black people are capable of being on time) with questions from the audience. I was aware of his large female fan base but I was the youngest of a handful of men that turned out to meet him. I couldn’t help but wonder how these women reacted when they read the explicit love scenes involving the gay characters in his books. Their ages varied from early twenties to late seventies.

E. Lynn answered all questions surprisingly with openness and honesty. Although I was a little disappointed when the time came to discuss homophobia in the black church and why he’s chosen not to attend, he shied away from giving a meaty answer and gave us the politically correct one instead. I can’t really blame him for playing it safe, you don’t want to turn your fan base against you.

The evening was very intimate and one that I will always remember. It was a challenge containing my excitement from the first glimpse I got of him as he entered the building, to our photo opp together after he signed my book.
Look for the release of his new novel in January 07 and a compilation of unknown African-American authors competing for a book deal with Doubleday Publishing organized by E. Lynn himself.