Athletes Help Harris Tell a Good Tale

Graycen Colbert Author E. Lynn Harris recently wrapped up a tour for his latest novel "Just Too To Be True."

Author E. Lynn Harris might not be a household name to typical Arkansas sports fans, but he probably should be.

Harris, a best-selling author recognized for work detailing black, gay culture, is a passionate Razorback fan, whose latest novel – Just Too Good To Be True – could score big with his fellow crazed Arkansas supporters.

In his 10th novel, Harris details the life of Heisman Trophy candidate Brady Manning. Harris, a proud Arkansas alum, takes a look at the pressures surrounding Manning and the support system the star athlete leans on to help him through dark and troubling times.

Recently, the author wrapped up a month-long promotional tour. He hit 25 cities throughout the United States, including a two-day stop in his childhood home of Little Rock.

It was in Little Rock the 52-year-old Flint, Mich. native first learned to Call the Hogs. He found the Razorbacks to be a great source of pride, even during a time when southern college football was dominated almost entirely by white players and coaches.

Harris went on to become the first black cheerleader at Arkansas. He now serves as a volunteer assistant for the cheerleading team and has a room in his Atlanta home devoted entirely to the Razorbacks.

Invited to join the university as a visiting English professor in 2003, Harris' "visit" continues for a seventh semester this fall.

ArkansasSports360.com caught up with Harris by phone as he wrapped up the tour. Harris discussed the inspiration behind a novel five years in the making and explained why he has The Best Seat in The House ...

AS360: How has life been out on the road? Surely your time as a college cheerleader helped prepare you for these long, grueling road trips, right?

Harris: [Laughs] This year I'm not flying. We're doing all the stops by car. Most authors, most people would cringe at the thought of doing 25 cities by car, but for me it's been real easy. I have made so many road trips. ... When I was a cheerleader at Arkansas we didn't fly. We did everything by car. We were always going down to Texas. It's prepared me. Even mornings when I don't have a television or radio appearance or even if I do, I'm prepared to get up early to go to the gym.