Vladan Desnica (Serbian Cyrillic: Владан Десница; 17 September 1905 – 4 March 1967) was a celebrated Yugoslav writer and translator. Desnica first made his name in the literary world shortly before World War II with his debut short story collection, Životna staza Jandrije Kutlače (1935), published in the Magazin sjeverne Dalmacije.

He rose to prominence in 1950 with his novel titled Zimsko ljetovanje, an oxymoron reflecting the narrative set during World War II. The novel follows a group of people from Zadar who took refuge in the villages of the Zadar hinterland from Allied bombing. Desnica's work is renowned for its highly cultivated realistic-naturalistic style, drawing influence from Italian verismo. Despite initial criticism from agitprop and CK (Central Committee) critics, Desnica's work was warmly received by younger writers, establishing him as one of the foremost Croatian storytellers.