Harris is known for his breakthrough novel, Invisible Life, which became a testament for many gays and lesbians struggling with their sexuality and the need to come out to their family and friends. What started as a self-published novel that he sold out of the trunk of his car in the early 1990s, Invisible Life, and the almost dozen novels that would follow, consistently earned a place on the New York Times bestseller’s list while at the same time, gaining a place of reverence in the hearts and minds of millions of readers – mostly women.

Harris would become a living example of the independent author scoring big after being picked up by a major book publisher. A longtime author for Random House, his titles include: Just As I Am, Too Good To Be True, Abide With Me, and his 2004 memoir What Becomes of The Brokenhearted.

Harris recently spoke with this writer while promoting his book at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse. In the coming days we will publish excerpts from that story and the interview along with testimonies from his fans.

Readers are urged to send their comments and reflections to this writer at dkmcneir@hotmail.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his son, his mother and his many friends and fans.

I will miss you my friend!

"And, man, he would turn things upside down! It was just a wonder to behold to see him in action. He really saw himself as the editor. ... Walter actually had had a blue pencil that he used from time to time. I mean, he did the whole deal."

After a lot of screaming and hollering and making sure it was okay with my parents, she loaded us all into her Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, a car that I liked so much that I begged my mother to get me a Matchbox (car) replica, and whisked us away like Glenda, the Good Witch of the North, to the concert.

We wouldn't have much time to talk or play before it was time for them to take the stage - that would happen the following afternoon at a party that Mr. Gordy gave at his mansion on West Boston Boulevard, with all the goodies we could gobble up, and other fun activities including bowling, swimming, tennis, basketball and other children's games.

But what I remember most, both before Michael went on stage and the next day during the party and before the Jackson Five had to leave for another city and another concert, was the sad look in his eyes. It never really registered with me until just recently that even then, despite having it all, or so I believed, more than anything what Michael really wanted was the opportunity to do what I did every day and took for granted - enjoy being a little boy.

One writer who interviewed Jackson said that one of his greatest unfulfilled desires, when he was still a young boy, was to go outside and join other children, children that he did not know, on a playground and just … play.

Perhaps now, in death, the man-child who touched our hearts with his uncanny ability to dance and sing will finally have the chance to romp and skip in the playgrounds of heaven. And maybe now he is happy - at least, I would like to think so.

When I was a boy, we all wanted to be Marlon or Jermaine, Tito or Jackie, or of course, Michael, but I wonder, if I could have really switched places, would I have been able to embrace my new life and all of its challenges. When I look at the mountains that Michael Jackson was able to climb and the valleys that sometimes appeared to swallow him whole, I wonder if perhaps I was am actually the lucky one.

And I have decided to be satisfied with who I am and hold on to being an ordinary brother from Motown and celebrate the memories of a childhood when Detroit was a little like "heaven."

The essay above is from Kevin's collection of essays that he is currently completing for publication entitled, Growing Up Motown: When Detroit Was "Heaven."

I'm sure most of you have been following this Michael Jackson saga, we heard that the he is to be buried at "Neverland", then we heard that the family were having a private service for only family and close friends, leaving the fans with no closure.

Now some Republican Congress man, I'm not even going to mentioned his name, since I feel that he's trying to become known, on the coattails of Mr. Michael Jackson's celebrity, has stated that he doesn't understand the world's sorrow, since the entertainer was accused of child molestation. However, Mr. Jackson was found not guilty and cleared on all other charges. Yet, I don't think that he ever recovered from that. We will not concentrate on the "hater's" of our King of Pop.

Rev. Al Sharpton said that Michael Jackson belonged to us. I feel that Michael Jackson came from us, but he belonged to everyone who loved him. "Black or White", Gay or Straight", Young or Old", "Rich or Poor". And he will be remembered forever.

Love you Mr. Michael Jackson, rest in peace.

You read it here at GBMNews

It was just released that Joe Jackson, his father gets nothing, he was cut out of the will, as Mr. Michael never got over how his father abused him, when he was a child. Strangely, Mr. Joe Jackson has been granted legal control of the Michael Jackson estate. The interesting thing is that the Michael was in disagreement with his father, most of his adult life. Only recently Mr. Joe Jackson wanted a reunion tour with Michael and his brothers, but Michael was not interested. There was also talk of Mr. Michael Jackson headlining in Vegas. Ms. Janet Jackson, his younger sister, said that if this were to happen, she would love to open for him. As for Mr. Joe Jackson handling anything belonging to the gloved one, I'm sure he would not approved.

At the Apollo, during the day, as thousands & thousands waited in the hot sun, umbrella's were opened in honor to the King of Pop. It's believed that thousands waited for 2 days outside of the theatre, to insure entrance. Now its raining, still thousands patiently wait to enter the famous theatre. At 5:26 pm, on Thursday, June 25th, everyone in NYC and LA, stopped for a moment of silence, as we, of one mind, focused, prayed and thanked God for sharing this musical genius with us.

Now many of you are probably saying, so what happened at lunch? But I think it's important to give a little history. After this breakthrough album, perhaps the pressure was on, plus he had his own demons caused by his father, Mr. Joe Jackson, it's been released that father dearest use to tell the musical genius that he had a big nose. (The damage that some parents cause to their children should be against the law.)