autor

An author is the creator of a written work, such as a novel, essay, poem, article, or report, though the term can also apply to creators of other formal works in which text or code is the primary element. The word originates from Latin auctor meaning originator or promoter. In copyright law the author is considered the owner of the original work's intellectual property and usually has economic rights to reproduce, distribute, and adapt the work, as well as moral rights to be recognized as the author and to object to derogatory treatment.

Authors may work solo or in collaboration. In scholarly and professional contexts, authorship also carries responsibilities, including accuracy, originality, and proper attribution. In academic publishing, the order of authors can reflect contribution and responsibility for the content; sometimes multiple authors share credit or, in some cases, contributions are acknowledged without authorship.

The process of becoming an author typically involves developing writing skills, creating a manuscript, and seeking publication through publishers, literary agents, or self-publishing platforms. Attribution is recorded in bibliographic metadata and is critical for citation and scholarly impact.

Challenges in authorship include ghostwriting, disputes over contribution, and changes in rights when works are sold or adapted to other media. In practice, the definition of who qualifies as an author can vary by jurisdiction and by the nature of the work, but the core idea remains: an author is the creator and primary bearer of a written (or code-based) work.

Notable forms of authorship extend beyond prose and poetry to screenplays, software, and other textual or coded works, reflecting the central role of authors in culture, knowledge, and technology.