Bruce Anderson is the publisher and editor of the Northern California 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.