Best-selling author Felice Picano and Lambda Literary Award-winning author Jim Provenzano will discuss gay writers, actors and directors in Hollywood framed through their two novels, Picano’s Justify My Sins: A Hollywood Novel in Three Acts (Beautiful Dreamer Press, 2019) and Provenzano’s Finding Tulsa (Palm Drive Publishing, 2020).

With two similar yet unique perspectives on the filmmaking industry told in gay fiction, the two authors will share the inspiration for their new and recent novels. Both fully explore the behind-the-scenes process of film industry success –and failure– via two very different narrators.

Along with his prolific authorship, Picano has given PowerPoint lectures about historic LGBT figures in Hollywood more than a dozen times at colleges, historical societies, religious groups, and major libraries across the U.S. and also in Canada.

In addition to being an author, Provenzano has been a photographer and journalist in LGBT media for three decades. His film experience includes production work on short films and numerous music videos in the 1980s. He also wrote and directed several plays and choreographed dozens of dance and multimedia works.

This is a free event, but donations of any amount to support the Bureau’s work are very much appreciated! You can make a donation when you register for the event. Thank you for your support!

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Both Finding Tulsa and Justify My Sins are available for purchase on the Bureau’s online store! Thank you for supporting the Bureau by purchasing books from us!

Felice Picano is the author of 35 books of poetry, fiction, memoirs and nonfiction. His work is translated into 15 languages; several titles were national and international bestsellers, including ‘The Lure,’ ‘Like People in History’ and ‘The Book of Lies.’ Four of Picano’s plays have been produced. He’s considered a founder of modern gay literature, along with other members of the Violet Quill. His most recent works include ‘True Stories: Portraits from My Past’ (2011), ‘Contemporary Gay Romances’ (2011), and ‘Twelve O’Clock Tales’ (2012). www.felicepicano.net

Jim Provenzano is the author of seven novels, including ‘Finding Tulsa,’ the 2012 Lambda Literary Award winner ‘Every Time I Think of You,’ its sequel, ‘Message of Love’ (a Lammy finalist), and the stage adaptation of his debut novel, ‘PINS.’ His short fiction collection, ‘Forty Wild Crushes’ was published in 2016. Degrees include a BFA in dance from Ohio State University and an MA in English from San Francisco State University. Born in New York City and raised in Ohio, he lives in San Francisco. A journalist in LGBT media for three decades, he also wrote the award-winning syndicated Sports Complex column for ten years. He is currently Culture Editor for the Bay Area Reporter. www.jimprovenzano.com