Alan Dean Foster (born 1946) is a prolific American author of science fiction and fantasy, known for both original novels and film novelizations. He created the Humanx Commonwealth and Spellsinger series, blending imaginative world-building with accessible storytelling. Foster ghostwrote the original Star Wars novelization and penned Splinter of the Mind’s Eye, the first expanded universe novel. He also adapted films like Alien, Star Trek, Transformers, and The Thing, earning a reputation for enriching cinematic stories with depth and character insight. His work spans decades and genres, making him a cornerstone of media tie-in fiction