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Stan DraglandStanley Louis Dragland

(December 2, 1942 – August 2, 2022)

[The Oyen echo] - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the loss of Stan on August 2, 2022 in sudden cardiac arrest while hiking with his wife Beth Follett in Trinity, NL.

Stan is survived by Beth, his sisters Betty (Manfred), Ellen (Marvin), and Bernice. His sons Toby (Koni) Simon (Kim), and daughter Rachel. His grandsons Gabriel, Tynan, and Brendan. Grandaughter Cleo. His nephews Tyler (Veronica), neices Melanie, Heather (Don) Lisa and Tawyna (Ted); his great nieces Brette, Jadyn, Mackenzie, and Justine, and great nephews Clayton, Evan, Nathan, and Cole.

Stan was predeceased by his father Ken (1981), and his mother Mydra in 1998.

We loved him and we will miss him.


Stan Dragland

Stan Dragland was born and brought up in Alberta. He was educated at the University of Alberta and Queen's University. He has taught at the University of Alberta and at The Grammar School, Sudbury, Suffolk, England, and was also a member of the English Department at the University of Western Ontario in London. He was founding editor of Brick: a journal of reviews, and founder of Brick Books, a poetry publishing house. Between 1993 and 1996, he was poetry editor for McClelland & Stewart.

Selected Publications:

Deep Too. London: Book*hug Press, 2013.
Floating Voice: Duncan Campbell Scott and the Literature of Treaty 9. Toronto: Anansi, 1994.
The Bees of the Invisible: Essays in Contemporary English Canadian Writing. Toronto: Coach House Books, 1991.
Journeys Through Bookland and Other Passages. Toronto: Coach House Books, 1984.
Simon Jesse's Journey. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 1982.
Peckertracks. Toronto: Coach House Books, 1978.

Awards:

In 2020, Stan Dragland was appointed to the Order of Canada.

1994, Gabrielle Roy Prize for Criticism of Canadian Literature.

1978, Shortlisted, WH Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award.


Tribute:

Stan DraglandAdina Bresge, The Canadian Press:

Writer, editor and literary critic Stan Dragland is being remembered as a champion of independent publishing whose love of Canadian letters extended well beyond the page. Dragland's own bibliography blurred the lines between genres, and he co-founded one of Canada's few poetry-only publishers, Brick Books, in 1975. He also served as the Ontario-based press's publisher, and was the founding editor of the literary magazine Brick.

Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Brian Pirie/Phil Hall

Alayna Munce, the current publisher of Brick Books described Dragland as an "editor extraordinaire" whose sharp eye and magnanimous spirit will leave a lasting mark on Canada's literary scene.

"I've spoken in the last few days to so many poets and writers who felt first seen by Stan," Munce said by phone Monday. "(He) was an effortless but also relentless mentor to so many writers. And in his criticism, he took up the writing of people with a profound dedication to reading deeply and with love."

The Alberta-born, Newfoundland-based writer penned works of poetry, fiction, non-fiction and literary criticism, or often, some combination of these literary forms. Among Dragland's titles were the 1979 novel, "Peckertracks: A Chronicle;" his 2005 book of prose poems, "Stormy Weather: Foursomes;" and 2013's multimedia examination of masculinity, "Deep Too."

Dragland also worked with some of Canada's top wordsmiths as the poetry editor at McClelland & Stewart in the mid-1990s.

He also enjoyed a distinguished career as an English professor, teaching at institutions including Western University and the Banff Centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2022.
Adina Bresge, The Canadian Press


Tribute:

Book*hug Press

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of beloved Canadian novelist, essayist, and poet Stan Dragland. An author and friend of the press, Stan was many things to so many of us: the founder of Brick Books and Brick Literary Journal, a member of the Order of Canada, professor emeritus at the University of Western Ontario, literary critic, and mentor to many. He was also one of the kindest, wisest, and loveliest people we've had the pleasure of working with and knowing. What a profound loss this is to the Canadian writing and publishing industry.

book cover: Deep Too We had the sincere pleasure of working with Stan as both an author and editor. In 2013, we published Deep Too, a funny and sometimes biting book of nonfiction stories about the phenomenon of male strut and competition. In praise of Deep Too, Marina Endicott wrote, "To the work of illuminating pain, he puts his enormous heart and brilliant mind, his ever-ready wit, and a lambent prose that truly glows from within." We'll never forget travelling with Stan to launch the book in London, Ontario. It was a magical night of readings, music and funny banter by Stan and friend and fellow writer, Phil Hall, that we'll always treasure.

book cover: Air CarnationStan also worked closely with Argentine writer Guadalupe Muro as she developed and wrote Air Carnation, an absorbing narrative that blends fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and song, about independence in love and the writerly life. The two met at The Banff Centre when Lupe attended the Wired Writing Studio; Stan was her writing mentor and encouraged her in her decision to write Air Carnation in English rather than Spanish. They continued working together long after Banff, and eventually, Stan introduced Lupe and her beautiful book to the press. He also went on to edit the book for the press. We'll also never forget when Stan secretly travelled to Toronto to surprise Lupe on the day of the Toronto launch of Air Carnation. After such a close working relationship, Stan really wanted to be there to introduce Lupe at her book launch, which is only a small testament to what a wonderful and kind man he was.

Our most sincere condolences go out to Beth Follett, and to his family and friends, and all who loved him. Rest in peace, Stan. You will be so missed.