John Yau is a direct descendent of the New York School poets who have formed the scene of American art and literature. Since his first book of poetry Crossing Canal Street was published in 1976, John Yau has published over 50 books of poetry, fiction, and art writings. In 1999, he started Black Square Editions, a small press devoted to poetry, fiction, translation, and criticism. He was the Arts Editor for the Brooklyn Rail, before he began writing regularly for Hyperallergic Weekend.