Iain Banks was a Scottish author renowned for his contributions to both mainstream and science fiction literature. He published mainstream fiction as Iain Banks and used the pseudonym Iain M. Banks for his science fiction works, incorporating the initial of his adopted middle name, Menzies.

His breakthrough came with the publication of The Wasp Factory in 1984, after which he became a full-time writer. His first science fiction novel, Consider Phlebas, released in 1987, marked the beginning of the acclaimed Culture series. Over the years, his novels have been adapted for theatre, radio, and television.

In 2008, The Times included Banks in their list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945". Tragically, in April 2013, Banks announced he had inoperable cancer and passed away on 9 June 2013.