After the notoriety of Howard Street, Heard turned his life around and went on to become a guest lecturer.
Heard was also speech writer to Newark's first African American Mayor Ken Gibson.
He also worked as a contributing writer for Essence Magazine and the New York Times.
He spent some time teaching creative writing at Fresno State College (now known as California State University, Fresno), where he won a teaching award in 1970.
His other books include A Cold Fire Burning, House of Slammers, To Reach a Dream and When Shadows Fall.