William Kotzwinkle, born on November 22, 1938, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S., is a distinguished novelist, children's writer, and screenwriter. He has achieved significant recognition in the literary world, being a two-time recipient of the National Magazine Award for Fiction and winning the prestigious World Fantasy Award for Best Novel for Doctor Rat in 1977. Kotzwinkle is also celebrated for his novelization of the screenplay for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

His literary career is marked by a wide range of works that have been translated into dozens of languages, demonstrating his global appeal. Among his notable achievements, Kotzwinkle has won the Prix Littéraire des Bouquinistes des Quais de Paris, the PETA Award for Children's Books, and has been a nominee for a Book Critics Circle award. His work, The Fan Man, has become a cult classic, and his children’s series Walter the Farting Dog has sold two million copies.

In addition to his literary accomplishments, Kotzwinkle has made contributions to the film industry, with credits including Book of Love and Nightmare On Elm Street 4. He also wrote the narration for Michael Jackson’s E.T. record, which won a special children’s Grammy. With over ten million books sold, Kotzwinkle's impact on both literature and popular culture is undeniable. He currently divides his time between rural Arizona and the coast of Maine.