ARTS & BOOKS: A chat with Armistead Maupin

Whenever I hear the name, Armistead Maupin, I think back to the first time I encountered the iconic author's work -- and the old chicken-and-egg debate ensues. Except it's the book-and-miniseries debate.

I'm sure I learned of Armistead through his "Tales of the City" series, but I do not recall whether I read the books or watched the miniseries first. What I remember is being thoroughly entertained and feeling as if I knew this grab-bag of bold, sexy, lovable, gay, straight and transgender characters.

More than 30 years after he introduced us to his San Francisco playground, Armistead continues to explore the lives of Mary Ann Singleton, Michael Tolliver and their crew. This year he released "Mary Ann in Autumn," the eighth book in the series and his 34th tome overall.

When Armistead visited THE WILL DEAN SHOW this week he discussed the real-life shenanigans that inspired the series, the ongoing lesson of his work and the one word he feels describes the challenges gay men face today.

ARTS & BOOKS: 'Blackbird' author dispels myths

One of the perks of living in Southern California is the opportunity to meet amazingly talented people whose work I’ve admired and enjoyed. After moving to Palm Springs about three years ago I looked up novelist Larry Duplechan.

I had read Larry’s novel “Blackbird” when I was in college.  The story of Johnnie Ray Rousseau, a black gay teen, was unlike any other I had read.  I was enthralled and devoured three of Larry’s other books: “Tangled Up In Blue,” “Captain Swing” and “Got ‘Til It’s Gone.” (Larry won a  2009 Lambda Literary Award in the Gay Romance category for the latter.)

I found Larry through Facebook last year.  It turns out, he lives in L.A. We e-mailed back and forth a couple of times, then he mentioned he planned to spend the Fourth of July in Palm Springs.

Our meeting in the desert city didn’t happen as expected. While dancing at a local hangout that holiday weekend, I noticed this attractive, energetic couple tearing up the dance floor only three feet away. One of the guys looked like Larry’s Facebook photo, so I introduced myself. That’s right, I finally met Larry Duplechan on the dance floor in Palm Springs – where else, right?

He definitely has some good moves, but like his characters, Larry isn’t one to dance around an issue or the point he wants to make. Here,  he tells THE WILL DEAN SHOW about the realities of being a published author, which writers inspire him and why the gay “community” just may be a myth.