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The writer who created the original novel from which an adaptation (e.g., a film, TV series) is derived.
《红楼梦》的小说原著作者是曹雪芹。
The original author of 'Dream of the Red Chamber' is Cao Xueqin.
这部电视剧的小说原著作者是谁？
Who is the original author of the novel this TV series is based on?
Commonly used in discussions about adaptations, especially in film, TV, and theater contexts.
The '小说原著作者' is the original creator of the novel, while the '编剧' (biān jù) is the screenwriter who adapts the story for film/TV. They are often different people.
Use '小说原著作者' only when referring to the source material's creator in adaptation contexts. For general novelists, use '小说作者' or '作家'.
The term combines '小说' (xiǎoshuō, 'novel'), '原著' (yuánzhù, 'original work'), and '作者' (zuòzhě, 'author'). '原著' emphasizes the primacy of the original creation over adaptations.
This phrase is typically used in contexts involving literary adaptations (e.g., films, TV series, stage plays) to distinguish the creator of the source material from those who adapt it. It is neutral in tone and formal in register.