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a person who writes a novel, poem, essay, etc.; the composer of a literary work, as distinguished from a compiler, translator, editor, or copyist.
the literary production or productions of a writer:
to find a passage in an author.
the maker of anything; creator; originator:
the author of a new tax plan.
Computers. the writer of a software program, especially a hypertext or multimedia application.
to write; be the author of:
He authored a history of the Civil War.
to originate; create a design for:
She authored a new system for teaching chemistry.
Contemporary Examples

Anonymity—as the author of O has discovered—became part of a promotional game, teasing the public.
The Real Story of “O” Robert McCrum January 22, 2011

Matt Latimer is the author of The New York Times bestseller, Speech-less: Tales of a White House Survivor.
What If McCain and Palin Won? Matt Latimer December 17, 2010

The argument Daisey makes is the same as the one made by the author, in a sense: this makes an important story more powerful.
The Conning of ‘This American Life’ Leads to an Embarrassing Retraction Philip Bump March 16, 2012

For an article in the Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, the author must fork over $650 for “handling.”
No, Stem Cells Don’t Cause Autism Kent Sepkowitz September 10, 2014

Douglas Wolk is the author of Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean and Live at the Apollo.
How to Watch Watchmen Douglas Wolk January 15, 2009

Historical Examples

This would mean “the genius of Bhubanmohini” if that be taken as the author’s name.
My Reminiscences Rabindranath Tagore

Pray accept this author’s copy with his best and hopefullest wishes.
The Spenders Harry Leon Wilson

I cannot imagine any other author doing for me just what the essays of Emerson did.
Confessions of a Book-Lover Maurice Francis Egan

Which of the two, then, would our author want to explain metaphorically?
A Theological-Political Treatise [Part III] Benedict of Spinoza

The press has been less fiercely adverse than usual to the author.
When Winter Comes to Main Street Grant Martin Overton

noun
a person who composes a book, article, or other written work related adjective auctorial
a person who writes books as a profession; writer
the writings of such a person: reviewing a postwar author
an originator or creator: the author of this plan
verb (transitive)
to write or originate
n.

c.1300, autor “father,” from Old French auctor, acteor “author, originator, creator, instigator (12c., Modern French auteur), from Latin auctorem (nominative auctor) “enlarger, founder, master, leader,” literally “one who causes to grow,” agent noun from auctus, past participle of augere “to increase” (see augment). Meaning “one who sets forth written statements” is from late 14c. The -t- changed to -th- 16c. on mistaken assumption of Greek origin.

…[W]riting means revealing onesself to excess …. This is why one can never be alone enough when one writes, why even night is not night enough. … I have often thought that the best mode of life for me would be to sit in the innermost room of a spacious locked cellar with my writing things and a lamp. Food would be brought and always put down far away from my room, outside the cellar’s outermost door. The walk to my food, in my dressing gown, through the vaulted cellars, would be my only exercise. I would then return to my table, eat slowly and with deliberation, then start writing again at once. And how I would write! From what depths I would drag it up! [Franz Kafka]

v.

1590s, from author (n.). Revived 1940s, chiefly U.S. Related: Authored; authoring.