Bruce Anderson (publisher)

Bruce Anderson is the publisher and editor of the Northern California weekly newspaper, Anderson Valley Advertiser (AVA), which he purchased in 1984 for a sum of $20,000. The New York Times described the AVA as "the country's most idiosyncratic and contentious weeklies."[1] Anderson is known for publishing some of the most interesting, well-researched journalism in Northern California.[2]

Anderson received a baseball athletic scholarship to attend California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, but later transferred to San Francisco State where he earned a B.A. in English.[2] Prior to purchasing the Anderson Valley Advertiser, Anderson served in the Marines, Peace Corps,[2] and ran a home for juvenile delinquents.[1] Anderson was a foster parent to American serial killer David Mason who was executed in San Quentin State Prison's gas chamber in 1993.[2]

Anderson has been in jail numerous times,[3] most notably for allegedly withholding evidence in the Bear Lincoln murder trial[2]and for punching a superintendent at a school board meeting.[1]

Anderson is married to Ling More, who he met in Borneo during his time in the Peace Corps.[4] His son, Zack Anderson,[4] is the co-writer of the films Pig Hunt and Windows on the World.[5] Anderson is uncle to activist and American writer, Robert Mailer Anderson.[4] In 2022, Bruce Anderson received a Reginald Lockett Lifetime Achievement Award from PEN Oakland.

  1. ^ a b c Brown, Patricia Leigh (2004-11-30). "He Ranted, He Raved, He Rode Out on His Own Rail". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e Staff, SF Weekly (1996-07-17). "Country Rogue". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  3. ^ "Mendocino County Bruce Anderson repurchases Anderson Valley Advertiser after Oregon newspaper's failure to launch". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  4. ^ a b c Nazaryan, Alexander (2015-04-12). "The Last (or at Least Looniest) Newspaper in America". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 2015-05-26. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  5. ^ "Zack Anderson". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-05-20.