What is the definition of an author?

An author is defined as a writer of a book, article, or report, capturing the core role of an individual who creates original written content. This definition emphasizes the creative and intellectual effort involved in producing texts that communicate ideas, stories, or information to an audience. An author's work can range from fiction and non-fiction to formal and informal writing, contributing significantly to literature, journalism, education, and many other fields.

The other choices focus on different roles related to literature that do not encapsulate the essence of being an author. For instance, a reader engages with written content without necessarily producing it, while an editor is responsible for refining and organizing work created by authors, and a critic analyzes and assesses written works, rather than creating them. Each of these roles supports the literary world but does not define the primary function of an author as someone who originates the writing itself.