Zoe Sarah Kaplan, a promising young writer and publishing professional, has passed away, leaving behind a deeply mourning community. At just 28 years old, Zoe’s life was cut tragically short on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, due to complications arising from COVID-19 and Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). A vibrant and creative soul, Zoe was known for her warmth, kindness, and extraordinary talent in the world of Jewish speculative fiction. She had already made a name for herself, with short stories published in notable magazines such as Tree and Stone and Hidden Realms. Her work "The Test" was even nominated for the 2022 Brave New Weird award.
Zoe was beloved by many, including her parents, Sam and Geri, her brother Avi, and countless friends and colleagues who are grappling with her sudden passing. She was also a student in the MFA program at the University of Maine and worked at Simon & Schuster, where her passion for literature shone through in all her endeavors.
Jay Balaban, who had known Zoe her entire life, shared his thoughts on Facebook, expressing his deep grief: "It’s been several days and I’m still trying to get my head around the loss of this beautiful neshama, beautiful soul. Zoe was an up and coming published author with a unique voice, who worked at Simon & Schuster and was in the MFA program at the University of Maine. It’s incomprehensible that her young voice is now silenced forever."
Other friends and acquaintances also expressed their sorrow on social media:
- Tim Kugel shared, "I still can’t wrap my head around her death. She’s the first person that I held as a baby to pass."
- Laura Molta Grant-Hunter offered her condolences, saying, "I am so so sorry for your loss! May her memory bring you comfort and be a blessing!"
- A. Dorian Rose added, "I’m so sorry for your tremendous loss, Jay. My heart goes out to you and the rest of her family and friends."
To honor Zoe’s memory, her family and friends have set up a fundraiser for the Zoe Sarah Kaplan Memorial Award for Jewish Speculative Fiction. Organized by David Tucker, this award aims to support young writers in a genre that Zoe deeply cherished. The hope is that through this initiative, Zoe’s legacy will continue, inspiring future generations of writers to pursue their dreams.
Zoe’s family also urges those with T1D, or who know someone with T1D, to be vigilant about their health, especially during the pandemic. Zoe’s passing is a reminder of how critical it is to have a crisis plan in place, as the combination of COVID-19 and T1D can escalate quickly into a life-threatening situation.
We send our heartfelt prayers to Zoe’s family and friends during this time of unimaginable loss. May her memory be a blessing.
Short Summary of Zoe Sarah Kaplan
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Zoe Sarah Kaplan |
| Date of Passing | Wednesday, October 9, 2024 |
| Fundraiser Created By | David Tucker |
| Purpose | Establishing the Zoe Sarah Kaplan Memorial Award for Jewish Speculative Fiction |
| Location | Asheville, NC |
| Cause | Complications from COVID-19 and Type 1 Diabetes |
Note:This post was written and edited by Logan Jones, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.