Author Armistead Maupin has told his 5,000 Facebook friends that they probably won't be seeing him pop up on the social media site very much for awhile.

He's embarked on writing the ninth book in his popular Tales of the City series.

Maupin wrote on Facebook Friday (27 January): 'Okay, here's the deal, friends. I have to stop indulging myself on Facebook and start writing the next "Tales" book. That means you'll be hearing a lot less from me for a while. This one is called THE DAYS OF ANNA MADRIGAL.'