In addition to filmmaking, Harris also writes journalism and fiction. For several years a contributing editor to New West magazine, he has also published articles, essays, and reviews in a number of national newspapers and magazines including TV Guide, American Heritage, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. His short stories have appeared in literary journals, and he has published five novels for children: With a Wave of the Wand, The Last Run, Confessions of a Prime Time K id, Solay and Come the Morning, which won the 1990 FOCAL Award for the best children’s book about California.

For over 20 years Harris has taught filmmaking, first at California Institute of the Arts, and since 1983 at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California where he is a Distinguished Professor. From 1990-96 he was the Chair of Film and TV Production.