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{{short description|Canadian writer}}
'''Wes Funk''' is a Canadian writer, based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
{{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>
When Wes Funk's sort-of memoir ''Dead Rock Stars'' hit the shelves in 2008, it quickly became a hit across western Canada, including being a pick-of-the-month for several book clubs and the subject on numerous Canadian television and radio talk shows. It was short-listed in The Readers' Choice Award Category of the Sask Book Awards and received an Honourable Mention in Writers' Digests' International Self-Published Book Competition. It has also been incorporated into both high school and university curricula.


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>
In recent years, Wes has taken his writing from a closeted hobby to a passionate sideline. His goal is to use his talent to educate people on diversity, while making readers laugh at the same time. A long-time fascination for rock music, comic books and pop culture is also a theme that runs through his work.


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>
Wes keeps busy promoting two more novels, ''Baggage'' and ''Cherry Blossoms'', plus his published memoir, ''Wes Side Story''. Funk's fierce love of writing has encouraged him to become heavily involved in Canada's creative community, and he is an active member of both the Saskatchewan Writers Guild and the Saskatoon Writers Coop. He is always happy to visit book clubs, libraries, bookstores, classrooms, and other reading venues. Wes' extensive knowledge of self-publishing has now also led him to become a presenter of many indie-publishing and/or marketing workshops. He is the host of Shaw TV's weekly literary talk-show, ''Lit Happens''!


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
For three-years-running, Funk has been labelled Saskatoon's Second-Most-Favourite-Writer in ''Planet S'' Magazine's Annual Best of Saskatoon Survey.
|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>
Wes has addressed a number of classrooms on the subjects of creative writing and diversity. He donates countless books to many causes he believes in, including LGBT fundraisers, AIDS awareness, animal rescue programs, and literacy organizations.


Wes lives with his partner and pets on Saskatoon's trendy Broadway Avenue. ''Dead Rock Stars'' is enjoying new life in both audiobook and illustrated versions. His popular short story ''Rescuing Lancelot'' was recently published in the acclaimed LGBT literary magazine, ''Jonathan'' and his new novel, ''Frostbite'' will be published in 2016. 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.


==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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⚫ }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Funk, Wes}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Funk, Wes}}
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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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