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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

The piece was authored by none other than Samantha Power, who now serves as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Morgan Fairchild: Badass Foreign Policy Wonk Asawin Suebsaeng October 19, 2014

Einöther authored the most comprehensive review of research on caffeine to date.
Forget 5-Hour Energy: Tea Is a Better Buzz Gregory Ferenstein July 21, 2014

Several times he mentions a hip-hop manifesto, authored by himself and Nichols, but we never get to see it or even an excerpt.
Heavy Mental Drummer: Questlove’s Almost Memoir John Ortved June 29, 2013

White House national security staff spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden dismissed the Republican authored report Tuesday.
Republican Benghazi Report Alleges State Department Coverup Eli Lake April 22, 2013

She has authored several books and articles, including Reforming the Unreformable: Lessons From Nigeria (MIT Press, 2012).
See Who’s Coming to Women in the World 2013: Speakers & Participants March 5, 2013

She found that most happiness studies were authored by men but that women, especially mothers, were often left out.
What Makes Women Happy? Marisa Meltzer February 20, 2010

She has authored several books, most recently No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington.
Who’s Who at the Women in the World Summit in Brazil The Daily Beast November 30, 2012

Shamir recently authored an essay in the Times of Israel explaining his firm opposition to Palestinian statehood.
Obama Complicates Netanyahu’s Coalition Talks J. J. Goldberg February 6, 2013

Historical Examples

In addition to writing an autobiography, she authored articles and a swimming instruction book for women.
Women’s Bathing and Swimming Costume in the United States Claudia B. Kidwell

Gramps missed none of the high drama he had authored and he gave his own familiar role everything he had.
The Big Trip Up Yonder Kurt Vonnegut

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.