RIP Derek Weiler

weilerI was shocked to learn the terrible news that Derek Weiler, editor at Quill and Quire, has passed away at the ridiculously young age of 40. Derek and I had many heated arguments here in the comments and through email. (He once called me “pathological.”) But despite our feisty exchanges, Derek was a very fair-minded and reasonable man who deserved to live much longer. And I enjoyed our volleys. He had the balls to take me on, and the decency to understand positions that were contrary to his own, which I can’t say about a lot of editors. My profound condolences to Derek’s family and friends for this terrible loss.

5 Comments

  1. “He had the balls to take me on, and the decency to understand positions that were contrary to his own, which I can’t say about a lot of editors” –
    Classy — and classic. Even in tribute to someone else, this becomes, in fact, a tribute to your own overlooked editorial bravery.

  2. Let me guess, Reagan. You’re used to writers kissing your ass instead of the more fruitful results of writer-editor collaboration.

  3. If this reply and the one you sent me privately are examples of “fruitful” writer-editor collaboration, it’s clear I’ve been missing out on something meaningful and enriching. I’ll try to survive.

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