Sidney Offit, a prominent figure in the New York literary community and author of more than a dozen books, including novels and memoirs, died on October 3 in Manhattan at the age of 97. His passing was confirmed by his son, Kenneth Offit.

Born on October 13, 1928, in Baltimore, Offit was the son of Barney Offit, a well-known bookmaker, and Lillian Cohen Offit. He chronicled his early life in “Memoir of the Bookie’s Son” (1995), recounting vivid family episodes. Educated at Valley Forge Military Academy and later at Johns Hopkins University, Offit contributed to the student newspaper and forged early connections in literary circles.

After moving to New York in 1950, Offit quickly became a central figure in the city’s literary scene. He was widely recognized as a generous mentor to writers and journalists, helping many find their footing. Robert A. Caro, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, described him as “the central figure in the world of writers in New York for 40 years,” praising Offit’s support in both practical and moral terms.

Offit was a founder and long-time president of the Authors Guild Foundation, the charitable and educational arm of the Authors Guild, and served as vice president of the PEN American Center. For nearly four decades, from 1972 to 2009, he curated the George Polk Awards at Long Island University, which honor investigative journalism noted for resourcefulness and impact. He also taught writing at the New School and New York University, nurturing new generations of writers.

In addition to his literary work, Offit was a familiar presence on New York television during the 1970s and 1980s. He was part of a recurring commentary duo on WNEW-TV’s “The 10 O’Clock News,” engaging in lively debates modeled after “60 Minutes”’ “Point/Counterpoint” segment.

Offit maintained close friendships with literary figures, notably Kurt Vonnegut. Introduced years earlier by publisher Roger Straus, Offit’s relationship with Vonnegut extended to his editing role for a posthumous four-volume Library of America edition of Vonnegut’s work and writing the foreword to the 2009 collection “Look at the Birdie.” Vonnegut included a character inspired by Offit in his semi-autobiographical novel “Timequake.”

Offit’s personal life included his marriage in 1952 to Avodah Komito, a psychiatrist and psychotherapist, whom he met under memorable circumstances. Together, they had two sons: Kenneth, a medical oncologist, and Michael, an author and financial consultant. His wife passed away in 2015. Offit is also survived by five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Throughout his long career, Sidney Offit was regarded not only as a prolific author but also as a guiding presence within the literary and journalistic communities of New York, remembered for his mentorship, advocacy, and enduring commitment to the craft of writing.