On July 23rd, 2009, the publishing world lost author E. Lynn Harris. This month, Karen Hunter Publishing is proud to publish his final novel, MAMA DEAREST (Karen Hunter Publishing; September 22, 2009; $25.99), a story of sex, secrets, and betrayal that features the highly-anticipated return of diva supreme Yancey Harrington Braxton, one of Harris's most popular characters.

Publisher Karen Hunter shares that, “E. Lynn Harris felt that Mama Dearest was the culmination of his life’s work and that this book would be the launch pad to take his already stellar career to a whole other level. It is sad and ironic that he won’t be around to see its success. But I’m certain he will be looking on and smiling at peace knowing that he accomplished something very special.”

E. Lynn Harris was devoted to his fans and was looking forward to touring for MAMA DEAREST. In his memory, his friends and colleagues have volunteered to tour in his memory. On September 22nd, the book will be launched at Outwrite Books in Atlanta, where Lynn lived and often began his tours. Readings will be given by Eric Jerome Dickey, RM Johnson, Tina McElroy Ansa, Clarence Nero, Tracie Howard, and Laura Gilmore. On Friday, September 25th, fellow authors and bookstores across the country will join together to celebrate his memory with “E. Lynn Harris Day.” A complete list of participants and events is below:

E. Lynn Harris Tribute Tour
Tuesday, September 22, 2009, 7:30 pm
BOOK LAUNCH
Outwrite Books
991 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-607-0082
Hosted by: Eric Jerome Dickey, RM Johnson, Tina McElroy Ansa, Clarence Nero, Tracie Howard, and Laura Gilmore

Friday, September 25, 2009
E. Lynn Harris Day:
Author tribute tour at bookstores across the country

BALTIMORE, MD
Barnes & Noble @ 7:00 pm
1819 Reisterstown Road
Phone: 410- 415-5758
Hosted by: Tracie Howard

BIRMINGHAM, AL
Books-A-Million @ 7:00 pm
140 Wildwood Pkwy
Phone: 205-942-4220
Hosted by: Brandon Harris

CLEVELAND, OH
Joseph Beth @ 7:00 pm
Legacy Village
24519 Cedar Road
Phone: 216- 912-1975
Hosted by: Lolita Files

CHICAGO, IL
Borders @ 7:00 pm
2210 W. 95th Street
Phone: 773-445-5471
Hosted by: Yolanda Jo

DALLAS, TX
Barnes & Noble @ 7:00 pm
7700 West Northwest Hwy
Phone: 214-739-1124
Hosted by: Mary B. Morrison

DETROIT, MI
Borders @ 7:00 pm
5601 Mercury Drive
Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: 313-271-4441
Hosted by: Terrance Dean

HOUSTON, TX
Barnes & Noble @ 7:00 pm
7626 Westheimer
Phone: 713-783-6016
Hosted by: ReShonda Tate Billingsley

JACKSONVILLE, FL
Books-A-Million @ 7:00 pm
25A 1910 Wells Road
Orange Park, FL
Phone: 904-215-2300
Hosted by: Tina McElroy Ansa

LITTLE ROCK, AK
Presented by Pyramid Books
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center @ 6:30 pm
500 West Ninth Street
Phone: 501-372-5824
Hosted by: Celia Anderson and Rhonda Holmes

LIVINGSTON, NJ
Barnes & Noble @ 7:00 pm
Livingston Mall
112 Eisenhower Parkway
Phone: 973-758-1310
Hosted by: Karen Hunter and Dr. LaJoyce Brookshire

LOS ANGELES, CA
ESO Won Books @ 7:00 pm
4311 Degnan Blvd.
Phone: 323-290-1048
Hosted by: Tananarive Due and Eric Jerome Dickey

NEW ORLEANS, LA
Afro-American Book Stop @ 5:30 pm
7056 Read Blvd
Phone: 504-243-2436
Hosted by: Clarence Nero and Ms. Dupre

NEW YORK. NY
Borders @ 7:00 pm
10 Columbus Circle
Phone: 212- 823-9775
Hosted by: Erika Kendrick and Sean Lewis

PHILADELPHIA, PA
Borders 21 @ 12:30 pm
1 S. Broad, Suite 100
Phone: 215-568-7400
Hosted by: Brenda L. Thomas

SAVANNAH, GA
Barnes & Noble @ 7:00 pm
7804 Abercorn Extension
Phone: 912-353-7757
Hosted by: Dr. Bertice Berry

WASHINGTON, DC
Borders @ 7:00 pm
931 Capital Centre Blvd
Largo, MD 20744
Phone: 301-499-2173
Hosted by: Victoria Christopher Murray and Kimberla Lawson Roby