Please join the Center for Gender and Sexuality and the Department of English in welcoming back local author and Wayne State alumnus Frank Anthony Polito for an invited author talk about his expansive and versatile publishing career. During this talk, audiences can learn about publishing firsthand and hear an excerpt from Polito's LGBTQ+ novel The Spirit of Detroit, set in and around Detroit, including key locations on the Wayne State campus!

An award-winning author and playwright, and screenwriter, Frank holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon and a BFA in Theatre from Wayne State. Published novels include BAND FAGS! (2008 "Best Fiction" - InsightOut Book Club), DRAMA QUEERS! (2009 Lambda Literary Award), LOST IN THE '90s, THE SPIRIT OF DETROIT, and the "Domestic Partners in Crime" cozy mystery series including RENOVATED TO DEATH, REHEARSED TO DEATH, HAUNTED TO DEATH, and DRAGGED TO DEATH.

Frank's plays ANOTHER DAY ON WILLOW ST and BFs! (based on his novel BAND FAGS!) have been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, Omaha, and Annapolis. His other writing has been featured in Instinct magazine and online at The Advocate.com. He has also been a regular contributor to the popular New York City lifestyle blog Kenneth in the 212.

Frank grew up in the Detroit suburb of Hazel Park and currently resides in Pleasant Ridge with his partner, Craig Bentley, and their two dogs, Clyde and Jack.