The Voodoo Kit was highly successful and later came other versions including
- The Voodoo Love Kit (2001)
- The Mini Love Voodoo Kit (2002)
- Mini Voodoo Kit (2000)
- The Little Book of Voodoo (2003)
- Mini Office Voodoo Kit (2004)
- Portable Voodoo (2004)
And at the center of this playful, albeit stereotypical, take on voodoo was the enigmatic "Voodoo Lou." For years, the identity of Voodoo Lou remained a mystery. Before the internet became the ubiquitous research tool it is today, information about this figure was scarce. But with a few clicks, the truth behind the Voodoo Lou brand is finally revealed. The man behind the magic, or rather, the marketing, is Lou Harry. Far from a shadowy figure immersed in the occult, Harry is a multi-talented individual with a diverse background in journalism, comedy, and playwriting.
After graduating from Temple University, Harry spent nearly a decade working as a magazine journalist in Philadelphia. During this time, he also honed his comedic skills, performing stand-up and even appearing on "America's Funniest People." He also ran a children's theater. His writing career took off with the runaway success of books like "The Voodoo Kit" and his novelization of the cult classic film, "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians," which collectively sold over 1.5 million copies.
Relocating to Indianapolis, Harry co-founded and edited the award-winning Indy Men's Magazine and later served as the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Indianapolis Business Journal. Currently, he edits Quill magazine for the Society of Professional Journalists, where he also oversees their awards programs. He continues to freelance for various publications and even hosts board game events.
A strong advocate for the arts, Harry serves on the board of the American Theatre Critics Association, where he previously led the committee responsible for the prestigious Steinberg and Osborn awards. His playwriting, supported by a grant from the Arts Council of Indianapolis, includes works like "Rita From Across the Street" and "Going…Going…Gone." He has also directed some of his own plays, as well as Warren Leight's "Side Man."
Lou Harry's career is a testament to his diverse creative talents and his dedication to the art of storytelling. While the Voodoo Kit may have been a lighthearted novelty, it's just one chapter in the fascinating story of the man behind the brand, a man whose career has spanned journalism, comedy, and the theater.
Carolina Dean
Investigative Reporter
12th House Books
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