Lawrence Sanders (March 15, 1920 – February 7, 1998) was an American novelist and short story writer.

After public school he attended Wabash College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Sanders was a former magazine editorial writer and later turned to full-time fiction writing.

He wrote his first novel, The Anderson Tapes, in 1970 at the age of 50 and in 1971 received the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for best first novel.

It deals with a plot by a group of criminals to rob a luxury apartment building.