Brian Brett was born in Vancouver and studied literature at Simon Fraser University from 1969 to 1974. Writing and publishing since the late 1960s, he has also been involved in an editorial capacity with several publishing firms such as the Governor-General Award winning Blackfish Press. In the early seventies, he began working as a freelance journalist and critic for various publications and newspapers, including the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Vancouver Sun, New Reader, Books In Canada, Victoria Times-Colonist, Vancouver Province, and The Yukon News, where he was the poetry critic for two years and had his own column. His journalism has appeared in almost every major newspaper in Canada. He is currently writing a monthly newspaper column called CultureWatch.

Brian Brett inaugurated the B.C. Poetry-In-The-Schools program, introducing children in schools to world poetry for a period of several years, and has taught or given workshops on writing across Canada. He has been a member of organizations such as P.E.N. International, the League of Canadian Poets, the B.C. Federation Of Writers, and the Writer’s Union of Canada. While a member of the League of Canadian Poets he performed a National Reading Tour under their auspices. He has also given readings on the CBC and various other media as well as public performances funded by private organizations, universities, Harbourfront, Vancouver International Writers’ Festival, Saltwater Festival, National Book Festival, and the Canada Council. In May 2005 Brian Brett became the Chair of The Writer’s Union of Canada.

Brian Brett is the author of Uproar’s Your Only Music—a Globe and Mail Book of the Year—and several books of poetry. His journalism has appeared in major Canadian newspapers including the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and the Vancouver Sun. He lives on Trauma Farm on Salt Spring Island, B.C.