Donald Pharr received his bachelors degree from Indiana State University and his masters and doctorate from the University of Georgia. He is the co-author (with Gerald J. Schiffhorst) of the The Short Handbook for Writers, second edition. He taught for many years in the Florida community college system, where he specialized in applied composition: business, technical, and science writing. As well he has spent almost two decades consulting as a technical writer and editor. Dr. Pharr is currently associate professor of English at Saint Leo University.