Born in Massachusetts, the grandson of immigrants hailing from the Azorean islands of Pico and São Miguel, Gaspar is the author of six collections of poetry and two novels, and his latest book, The Poems of Renanta Ferreira, which is best described as a fusion of genres. He often writes based on his experience growing up in Provincetown’s Portuguese community. His debut novel, Leaving Pico, was a Barnes and Noble Discovery Prize winner, a recipient of the California Book Award for First Fiction, and a New York Times Notable Book. His second novel, Stealing Fatima, was a MassBook of the Year in Fiction (Massachusetts Foundation for the Book).

Among his many awards are multiple inclusions in Best American Poetry, four Pushcart Prizes, a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Literature, and a California Arts Council Fellowship in poetry.