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| Dan Wickett | |
Dan Wickett, founder of Emerging Writers Network and later co-founder of the non-profit publishing company Dzanc Books, died September 15. He was 59. In addition to spending the majority of his professional career working as a quality manager at Almetals, one of Wickett's "greatest passions in life was the arts, and he belonged to a large and beloved community in the Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor areas," his obituary noted, adding that he was an avid reader, and both Emerging Writers Network and Dzanc Books "have helped writers get their works out into the world, using the proceeds to fund creative writing initiatives in the metro Detroit community."
Wickett was also one of the organizers and the host of the artist series Brain Candy, which has given local artists the opportunity to share their poetry, short stories, music, and art with the community. "These organizations touched many lives, and none of that would have been possible without Dan," his obituary noted.
In a tribute, Steve Gillis, Dzanc Books co-founder and founding publisher emeritus, posted on social media: "In 2006 ,we started Dzanc Books together. Dan was a book reviewer and I was a young author and we were crazy enough to think we could bring something to the independent press world. Over the last 20 years, we have built Dzanc into a literary publishing house we can be proud of. More important, though, has been the journey. Dan was a wonderful man. Soft spoken, kind, intelligent, never had a malicious word for anyone. To say he will be missed is an understatement. But we will continue his legacy here at Dzanc.
"We will be bringing his wonderful Emerging Writers posts into Dzanc and honor his legacy by continuing to do reviews of worthy writers. His loss is deeply felt by everyone here at Dzanc--especially our editor-in-chief, Michelle Dotter, who worked closely with Dan these last 10 years and considers him a close mentor and friend. In an age all too often driven by egos and false ambitions, Dan was a sweet, well-intended, hard-working, loyal man. A great father, a wonderful friend. The angels are lucky to have you, Dan. You will be missed but not forgotten."
Big Other magazine posted on Facebook: "R.I.P., Dan Wickett, small press hero and literary citizen extraordinaire. Founder of the vital Emerging Writers Network, co-founder of the exemplary Dzanc Books, organizer and host of the great artist series Brain Candy, Dan also wrote hundreds of book reviews, interviewed over a hundred writers, and otherwise supported many artists, literary and otherwise, in innumerable ways. Dan was also a strong supporter of Big Other, and contributed a few pieces for it in its earlier years. Big thanks to Dan. We will, in other words, miss him."