Eddy L. Harris is the author of four critically acclaimed books in English, Mississippi Solo: A River Quest, Native Stranger: A Black American’s Journey into the Heart of Africa, South of Haunted Dreams: A Memoir, and Still Life in Harlem: A Memoir, all of which partake of memoir, travelogue, adventure tale, and cultural reportage.

A longtime resident of France, Harris is also the author of two books written and published in French: Jupiter et Moi, 2005, and Paris en noir et black, 2009.

Harris has been Writer in Residence and professor of English, Creative Writing, and African American Studies at esteemed institutions including Washington University in St. Louis and Goucher College in Maryland.

When he is not traveling to some far-flung corner of the world and putting himself in the shoes of the other, Harris can be spotted in the little French village where he lives and where, in the fading light of dusk, he can be found hunched over a picnic table on a green space near his house, a glass of whisky on the table beside him, notebook open, pen in hand.

Born in the American Midwest and educated at Stanford University in California, he has traveled the four corners of the world—often in the most precarious conditions—and has lived and spent significant time in many places. Yes, he remains a simple Midwesterner at heart. He is comfortable in the highest and in the humblest settings.

William Faulkner and Mark Twain are his favorite writers—with a nod to Truman Capote, James Baldwin, and John Steinbeck, great storytellers all.