Q&Q Editor Derek Weiler Dies at 40  

By Leigh Anne Williams -- Publishers Weekly, 4/14/2009 9:26:00 AM

The Canadian publishing world is mourning the sudden death of Derek Weiler, editor of the book trade magazine Quill & Quire. Weiler, 40, had battled a chronic health problem for many years with such stoicism that very few people knew about it. He died on Sunday, April 12 at his home in Toronto. During his years at Quill & Quire, Weiler worked his way up through every editorial job at the magazine ­-- first as staff writer, review editor, news editor, and in 2004, he was named editor. A graduate of the University of Waterloo and Centennial College in Toronto, he was passionate about books and also wrote and reviewed for such publications as the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Driven and Chatelaine.

His death was announced in a brief note to readers on Quill & Quire’s Web site on Monday. “The entire staff of Q&Q is deeply saddened to report that our esteemed editor and friend, Derek Weiler, passed away over the weekend.” Weiler had been working last week, and his death came as a terrible shock to staff. The announcement noted that “as a result of this tragic news, Q&Q Omni readers may experience an interruption in regular news service over the next few days or so.”

Tributes from writers who had worked with Weiler as well as authors, agents, editors and publishers from across Canada immediately began to pour in to Quill & Quire ’s site as well as a Facebook page set up by his family. “I had the good fortune to work with Derek for five years at Q&Q,” wrote Scott Anderson, a former editor of the magazine. “He was a thoughtful writer and gentle, judicious editor who taught me a lot about taking care with other people’s words. He also had a keen sense of humour and a loud, carefree laugh, which brought a smile to my face every time I heard it.” Lynn Henry, publisher of House of Anansi Press, wrote: “All of us at Anansi are terribly saddened by this news. I admired Derek’s lovely combination of intelligence, calm, wit, and kindness. We will miss him.”