William Zinsser (edit name/settings)

William Zinsser is a lifelong journalist and nonfiction writer—he began his career on the New York Herald Tribune in 1946—and is also a teacher, best known for his book On Writing Well, a companion held in affection by three generations of writers, reporters, editors, teachers and students.

His 17 other books range from memoir (Writing Places; Writing About Your Life) to travel (American Places), jazz (Mitchell & Ruff), American popular song (Easy to Remember). baseball (Spring Training) and the craft of writing (Writing to Learn).

During the 1970s he was at Yale University, where he was master of Branford College and taught the influential nonfiction workshop that would start many writers and editors on their careers.

Today, in New York, he continues to write and to teach—mainly at the New School—and to be a mentor to students and writers from every corner of his past and his present. He writes a weekly blog, "Zinsser on Friday."