Sass ’n Pass, Stephen Bett’s new book of poems, takes an unsettling look at the ironies of pop culture and the angst of contemporary life. Bett’s uncanny ear for spoken language tears at society’s shallow facade to expose the tawdry and banal. From road rage to relationship, from demented academia to the (lack of) justice system, Bett defies the politically correct and celebrates the gritty truth as only he can speak it, sparing no one — least of all himself.

Stephen Bett's writing and college teaching life has been informed by the "counter tradition " of Black Mountain, the San Francisco Renaissance, and the New York School (1st and 2nd generations), and how that played out in Canada with the TISH poets, and beyond. His more recent books are "minimalist " in form, often stretching into "serial poems (book-length "linked poems"). This allows for the surprise of echoing back and forth — everything from idea to image to cadence. Bett's work, like its creator, is recognized as funny, satirical and unique. He lives in Vancouver. Previous books include: Re-positioning , Track This: A Book of Relationship, Extreme Positions, Sass 'n Pass, Three Women, Nota Bene Poems: A Journey, and High-Maintenance.

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