After extensive work in contemporary performance, Michael Springate's interests have crystallized intoThe Beautiful West & The Beloved of God, a first novel that maps currents of world history as they coursed through Montreal during the first decade of the 21st century. Born in Montreal and currently a resident of Vancouver, his previous publications include Historical Bliss, Dog and Crow (published by Guernica), The Consolation of Philosophy, The Geese Sonnets, Freeport, Texas, and Küt: Shock and Awe. He is Artist Associate with Vancouver's Full Circle: First Nations Performance and a founder of Commercial Drive Productions.