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{{short description|Canadian writer}}
'''Wes Funk''' is a Canadian writer. Based in ], ],<ref>. ''Saskatchewan Lifestyles'', June 10, 2011.</ref>
{{Infobox writer
⚫ | name = Wes Funk
| birth_date = {{Birth date |1969|02|18}}
| birth_place = ]
| death_date = {{death date and given age|2015|10|09|46}}
| death_place = ], ]
| occupation = writer, broadcaster
| spouse = Darwin Wagner<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/paypal-money-recovered-1.5319243 |title=Four years after spouse's death, Sask. man recovers money from PayPal account |last=Eneas |first=Brian |publisher=] |date=2019-10-12 |access-date=2019-10-13}}</ref>
| genre = fiction, memoirs
| notableworks= ''Dead Rock Stars'', ''Cherry Blossoms''
| website = {{URL|http://www.wesfunk.ca/}}
⚫ }}


'''Wes Funk''' (February 18, 1969 – October 9, 2015) was a Canadian writer. Based in ], ],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.sasklifestyles.com/article/20110610/Estlifestyles0501/306109986/-1/estlifestyles0501/author-champions-self-published-books|title = Author champions self-published books|last = Willberg|first = David|work = Saskatchewan Lifestyles|date = June 9, 2011|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141020220233/http://www.sasklifestyles.com/article/20110610/Estlifestyles0501/306109986/-1/estlifestyles0501/author-champions-self-published-books|archivedate = October 20, 2014}}</ref> he published several novels and a ] of poetry and short stories, and hosted a weekly television series, ''Lit Happens'', on ]'s services in Saskatchewan.<ref name="outvisions">{{cite web|url = http://www.outvisions.com/OutPages/tabid/1615/Article/478/funk-s-fiction.aspx|title = Funk's Fiction|last = Street|first = Amanda|work = OutVisions|date = December 12, 2011|accessdate = March 17, 2015}}</ref>
Wes’ semi-autobiographical novel Dead Rock Stars was shortlisted in the Read­ers’ Choice category of the Saskatchewan Book Awards and received an Honour­able Mention in Writers’ Digest’s International Self-Published Book Competition. Currently in its fifth printing, the book has now sold close to 2000 copies and has been incorporated into both university and high school curricula. Dead Rock Stars is also experiencing great success in both eBook and audio-book form (through Aurora Audio Books). Well-known charcoal-artist Kevin Hastings is also working on illustrated version of the novel.


Funk, who was ],<ref name="outvisions" /> was raised in a ] household in rural ], Saskatchewan.<ref name=diy>"Local writers are going DYI". '']'', August 4, 2011.</ref> He had a twin sister, who died in childhood.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307122153/http://ckom.com/article/236673/there-was-no-real-fakeness-him-sask-literary-community-mourns-loss-local-author |date=2016-03-07 }}. ], October 11, 2015.</ref>
Wes’ second book Baggage, a tale of Saskatoon misfits, has also become a Saskatchewan Bestseller and a pick-of-the-month for several book clubs across Canada. His third novel Cherry Blossoms won the Steamiest Read category in the National CBC Bookie Awards.


Funk published his debut novel, ''Dead Rock Stars'', in 2008.<ref name=diy /> Initially self-published,<ref>"Rock star fascination turned into book". '']'', March 14, 2009.</ref> the book later gained national distribution.<ref name=diy /> The novel was republished in ] form in 2013,<ref>"Regina pair turning written word into audiobooks". '']'', October 28, 2013.</ref> and a new illustrated edition was published in 2015.<ref>"Storytellers, local poet featured at B.C. retreat". '']'', February 28, 2015.</ref>
A love of the prairies, a strong belief in diversity, and a passion for rock ’n’ roll, are all strong themes in Wes’ work. Currently, he is the host of the Saskatoon Shaw TV Program Lit Happens—a weekly showcase of Western Canada’s writing world.


In 2012, Funk pulled his book ''Cherry Blossoms'' off of bookstore shelves after the publisher inadvertently printed an early draft instead of the final version.<ref>{{cite news
Aside from being an author, Wes has been employed as a line cook, a waiter, a caregiver, a janitor and a recreation therapy worker. He is an active member of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild and the Saskatoon Writers Coop. At various times, he writes articles for both Freelance and Perceptions magazines. A believer in the reaching out to his readers, Wes participates in a multitude of book signings and reading events in bookstores, libraries, schools and other reading venues across Canada. He also presents several publishing and marketing workshops annually.
|url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/author-pulls-his-own-book-from-store-shelves-1.1229427
|title = Author pulls his own book from store shelves
|publisher = ]
|date = July 11, 2012
|accessdate = March 17, 2015}}</ref> The corrected edition was rereleased several weeks later. The book won a Bookie Award from ] in 2013.<ref name=wesside>"Saskatoon novelist tackles autobiography in Wes Side Story". '']'', September 17, 2014.</ref>


In 2014, Funk published the memoir ''Wes Side Story''.<ref name=wesside /> In addition to his writing and broadcasting, Funk also worked in social services.<ref>"Record shop connects author to vinyl culture". '']'', April 18, 2013.</ref>
In recent years, Wes has donated countless copies of his books to literacy pro­grams, learning centres, and anti-bullying campaigns everywhere. He is also an enormous supporter of animal rights and AIDS awareness. Wes frequently works closely with other contemporary Saskatchewan authors such as Jacqueline Moore, Marion Mutala, Carey Rigby-Wilcox, Todd Devonshire, Jefferson Smith, Gary Chappell, Xander Richards and Craig Silliphant. A fortunate recipient of the Saskatoon Public Library’s Writer-in-Residence program, Wes has been mentored by many iconic Canadian novelists, including Yann Martel, Alice Kuipers, J. Jill Robinson, Jeanette Lynes and David Poulsen.


Funk died in his sleep on October 9, 2015, in ], ]. He was only 46 years old. It was thought that he may have accidentally overdosed on painkillers after a surgical procedure.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Trembath|first1=Sean|title=Local author Wes Funk dead at 46|url=https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/local-author-wes-funk-dead-at-46|accessdate=25 August 2018|publisher=]|date=12 October 2015}}</ref> At the time of his death, his short story ''Rescuing Lancelot'' had just been published in the literary magazine ''Jonathan'', and his latest novel ''Frostbite'' was slated for publication in 2016.
For two years running, Wes has been grateful to be voted one of Saskatoon’s Most Favourite Authors in Planet S magazine’s Annual Best-of-Saskatoon survey! He appreciates life with his partner and pets in their home on Saskatoon’s trendy Broadway Avenue. Wes’ long-awaited autobiography Wes Side Story was released in 2014. He still dreams of one day becoming a rock star.


==Works== ==Works==
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*''Baggage'' (2010) *''Baggage'' (2010)
*''Cherry Blossoms'' (2012) *''Cherry Blossoms'' (2012)
*''Wes Side Story'' (2014) *''Wes Side Story: a Memoir'' (2014)


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{reflist|2}}


==External links== ==External links==
* * {{Official website|http://www.wesfunk.ca/}}

{{authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 03:12, 25 September 2024

Canadian writer
Wes Funk
Born(1969-02-18)February 18, 1969
Mayfair, Saskatchewan
Died (aged 46)
Edmonton, Alberta
Occupationwriter, broadcaster
Genrefiction, memoirs
Notable worksDead Rock Stars, Cherry Blossoms
SpouseDarwin Wagner
Website
www.wesfunk.ca

Wes Funk (February 18, 1969 – October 9, 2015) was a Canadian writer. Based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he published several novels and a chapbook of poetry and short stories, and hosted a weekly television series, Lit Happens, on Shaw TV's services in Saskatchewan.

Funk, who was gay, was raised in a Mennonite household in rural Mayfair, Saskatchewan. He had a twin sister, who died in childhood.

Funk published his debut novel, Dead Rock Stars, in 2008. Initially self-published, the book later gained national distribution. The novel was republished in audiobook form in 2013, and a new illustrated edition was published in 2015.

In 2012, Funk pulled his book Cherry Blossoms off of bookstore shelves after the publisher inadvertently printed an early draft instead of the final version. The corrected edition was rereleased several weeks later. The book won a Bookie Award from CBC Books in 2013.

In 2014, Funk published the memoir Wes Side Story. In addition to his writing and broadcasting, Funk also worked in social services.

Funk died in his sleep on October 9, 2015, in Edmonton, Alberta. He was only 46 years old. It was thought that he may have accidentally overdosed on painkillers after a surgical procedure. At the time of his death, his short story Rescuing Lancelot had just been published in the literary magazine Jonathan, and his latest novel Frostbite was slated for publication in 2016.

Works

  • Humble Beginnings
  • Dead Rock Stars (2008)
  • Baggage (2010)
  • Cherry Blossoms (2012)
  • Wes Side Story: a Memoir (2014)

References

  1. Eneas, Brian (2019-10-12). "Four years after spouse's death, Sask. man recovers money from PayPal account". CBC News. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
  2. Willberg, David (June 9, 2011). "Author champions self-published books". Saskatchewan Lifestyles. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014.
  3. ^ Street, Amanda (December 12, 2011). "Funk's Fiction". OutVisions. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  4. ^ "Local writers are going DYI". The StarPhoenix, August 4, 2011.
  5. "'There was no real fakeness to him' Sask. literary community mourns loss of local author" Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine. CKOM, October 11, 2015.
  6. "Rock star fascination turned into book". Regina Leader-Post, March 14, 2009.
  7. "Regina pair turning written word into audiobooks". The StarPhoenix, October 28, 2013.
  8. "Storytellers, local poet featured at B.C. retreat". Winnipeg Free Press, February 28, 2015.
  9. "Author pulls his own book from store shelves". CBC News. July 11, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  10. ^ "Saskatoon novelist tackles autobiography in Wes Side Story". The StarPhoenix, September 17, 2014.
  11. "Record shop connects author to vinyl culture". The StarPhoenix, April 18, 2013.
  12. Trembath, Sean (12 October 2015). "Local author Wes Funk dead at 46". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved 25 August 2018.

External links

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