# Alan Dean Foster

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American fiction writer (born 1946)

Alan Dean Foster Foster at BayCon in 2007 Born (1946-11-18) November 18, 1946 (age 79) New York City, U.S. Pen name James Lawson[a] Occupation Fiction writer Period 1971–present Genre Science fiction, fantasy Notable works Humanx Commonwealth and Spellsinger series Website alandeanfoster.com

**Alan Dean Foster** (born November 18, 1946) is an American writer of [fantasy](/source/Fantasy) and [science fiction](/source/Science_fiction). He has written several [book series](/source/Book_series), more than 20 standalone novels, and many [novelizations](/source/Novelization) of film scripts.

## Career

### *Star Wars*

Foster was the [ghostwriter](/source/Ghostwriter) of the original [novelization of *Star Wars*](/source/Star_Wars%3A_From_the_Adventures_of_Luke_Skywalker), which was credited solely to [George Lucas](/source/George_Lucas).[1] When asked if it was difficult for him to see Lucas get all the credit for *Star Wars*, Foster said, "Not at all. It was George's story idea. I was merely expanding upon it. Not having my name on the cover didn't bother me in the least. It would be akin to a contractor demanding to have his name on a [Frank Lloyd Wright](/source/Frank_Lloyd_Wright) house."[2]

Foster also wrote the follow-up novel *[Splinter of the Mind's Eye](/source/Splinter_of_the_Mind's_Eye)* (1978), written with the intention of being adapted as a low-budget sequel to *[Star Wars](/source/Star_Wars_(film))* if the film was unsuccessful. However, *Star Wars* was a [blockbusting](/source/Blockbuster_(entertainment)) success, and *[The Empire Strikes Back](/source/The_Empire_Strikes_Back)* (1980) would be developed instead. Foster's story relied heavily on abandoned concepts that appeared in Lucas's early treatments for the first film.[3]

Foster returned to the franchise for the [prequel-era](/source/Star_Wars_prequel_trilogy) novel *[The Approaching Storm](/source/The_Approaching_Storm)* (2002), and also wrote [the novelization](/source/Star_Wars%3A_The_Force_Awakens_(novel)) of the first [sequel trilogy](/source/Sequel_trilogy) film, *[The Force Awakens](/source/The_Force_Awakens)* (2015).[4]

### *Alien*

Foster has written novelizations of several films in the [*Alien* franchise](/source/Alien_(franchise)), beginning with the [first film](/source/Alien_(film)). He was not allowed to view [H.R. Giger](/source/H._R._Giger)'s design for the [titular creature](/source/Xenomorph),[5][6] leading to the use of vague descriptions such as "something man-shaped but definitely not a man".[7] This adaptation has been noted as a "classic" of novelizations that is "almost as timeless as the movie".[7][8] It was later collected in [omnibus](/source/Omnibus_edition) form with Foster's novelizations of [*Aliens*](/source/Aliens_(film)) and *[Alien 3](/source/Alien_3)*. During the writing of the latter, he attempted to avoid killing off two characters as in the screenplay but was overruled by the film's producers.[9] This led to him turning down the novelization of the following film, *[Alien: Resurrection](/source/Alien_Resurrection)*,[10] although Foster later returned to the series to novelize *[Alien: Covenant](/source/Alien%3A_Covenant)* and write a further spin-off, *Alien: Covenant – Origins*.[6]

### *Star Trek*

Foster wrote 10 books based on episodes of the [animated *Star Trek*](/source/Star_Trek%3A_The_Animated_Series), the first six books each consisting of three linked novella-length episode adaptations, and the last four being expanded adaptations of single episodes that segued into an original story. In the mid-seventies, he wrote original *Star Trek* stories for the Peter Pan-label *Star Trek* audio story records. He has the [story credit](/source/Story_credit) for *[Star Trek: The Motion Picture](/source/Star_Trek%3A_The_Motion_Picture)*,[11] as he wrote a [treatment](/source/Film_treatment) based on a two-page outline by Gene Roddenberry.

He later wrote the novelization of the 2009 film *[Star Trek](/source/Star_Trek_(2009_film))*, his first *Star Trek* novel in over 30 years,[12] and for *Star Trek*'s sequel, *[Star Trek Into Darkness](/source/Star_Trek_Into_Darkness)*.[13]

### Dispute with Disney

In 2020, Foster, together with the [Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America](/source/Science_Fiction_and_Fantasy_Writers_of_America) (SFWA), alleged that [The Walt Disney Company](/source/The_Walt_Disney_Company), which acquired rights to his *Star Wars* and *[Alien](/source/Alien_(film))* novels via their [acquisitions of Lucasfilm](/source/Lucasfilm#Subsidiary_of_Walt_Disney_(2012–present)) and [20th Century Fox](/source/20th_Century_Studios#Disney_acquisition), had not paid him [royalties](/source/Royalties) for [e-book](/source/E-book) sales of his books.[14][15][16] The issue was resolved in May 2021, when Disney arranged to pay Foster and his fellow *Star Wars* novelization authors [James Kahn](/source/James_Kahn) and [Donald F. Glut](/source/Donald_F._Glut) their royalties.[17][18]

## Awards

Foster won the 2008 Grand Master award from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers.[19]

## Bibliography

### Humanx Commonwealth Universe

See the [Humanx Commonwealth](/source/Humanx_Commonwealth) page.

### The Damned Trilogy

Further information: [The Damned Trilogy](/source/The_Damned_Trilogy)

1. *A Call to Arms* (1991) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-35855-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-35855-4)

1. *The False Mirror* (1992) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-35856-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-35856-2)

1. *The Spoils of War* (1993) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-35857-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-35857-0)

### Dinotopia universe

Further information: [Dinotopia](/source/Dinotopia)

- *Dinotopia Lost* (1996) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57036-279-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57036-279-3)

- *The Hand of Dinotopia* (1997) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-57036-396-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-57036-396-X)

### Journeys of the Catechist

1. *Carnivores of Light and Darkness* (1998) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-52132-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-52132-9)

1. *Into the Thinking Kingdoms* (1999) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-52136-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-52136-1)

1. *A Triumph of Souls* (2000) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-52218-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-52218-X)

### Marexx

1. *Builder* (unpublished)[20][21]

### Spellsinger series

Main article: [Spellsinger](/source/Spellsinger)

1. *[Spellsinger](/source/Spellsinger_(novel))* (1983) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-97352-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-97352-1)

1. *The Hour of the Gate* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-90354-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-90354-X)

1. *The Day of the Dissonance* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-32133-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-32133-8)

1. *The Moment of the Magician* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-32326-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-32326-8)

1. *The Paths of the Perambulator* (1985) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-32679-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-32679-8)

1. *The Time of the Transference* (1986) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-932096-43-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-932096-43-3)

1. *Son of Spellsinger* (1993) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-36257-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-36257-3)

1. *Chorus Skating* (1994) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-36237-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-36237-9)

"Serenade" (2004), a novelette set immediately after *The Time of the Transference*,[22] was first published in the anthology *Masters of Fantasy* and was later reprinted in Foster's short story collection *Exceptions to Reality*.[23]

### The Taken trilogy

1. *Lost and Found* (2004) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-46125-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-46125-8)

1. *The Light-Years Beneath My Feet* (2005) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-46128-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-46128-2)

1. *The Candle of Distant Earth* (2005) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-46131-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-46131-2)

### The Tipping Point trilogy

- *The Human Blend* (2010) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-345-51197-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-345-51197-3)[24]

- *Body, Inc.* (2012) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-345-51199-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-345-51199-7)

- *The Sum of Her Parts* (2012) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-345-51202-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-345-51202-4)

### *Montezuma Strip*

- *Montezuma Strip* (1995) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-60207-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-60207-8)

- *[The Mocking Program](/source/The_Mocking_Program)* (2002) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-52774-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-52774-2)[25]

### Standalone novels

- *[The Man Who Used the Universe](/source/The_Man_Who_Used_the_Universe)* (1983) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-90353-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-90353-1)

- *The I Inside* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-32027-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-32027-7)

- *Slipt* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-425-07006-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-425-07006-9)

- *[Into the Out Of](/source/Into_the_Out_Of)* (1986) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-51337-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-51337-7)

- *Glory Lane* (1987) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-51664-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-51664-5)

- *Maori* (1988) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-51925-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-51925-3)

- *To the Vanishing Point* (1988) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-51338-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-51338-5)

- *Quozl* (1989) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-69454-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-69454-3)

- *Cyber Way* (1990) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-13245-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-13245-6)

- *Cat-a-lyst* (1991) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-64661-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-64661-1)

- *Codgerspace* (1992) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-71851-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-71851-5)

- *Greenthieves* (1994) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-00104-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-00104-1)

- *Design for Great-Day* (1995) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-312-85501-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-312-85501-X), with [Eric Frank Russell](/source/Eric_Frank_Russell))

- *Life Form* (1995) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-00218-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-00218-8)

- *[Voyage of the Basset](/source/Voyage_of_the_Basset)* (written and Illustrated by [James C. Christensen](/source/James_C._Christensen) with Foster and Renwick St. James) (1996) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-885-18358-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-885-18358-5)

- *Jed the Dead* (1997) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-00399-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-00399-0)

- *Parallelities* (1998) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-42461-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-42461-1)

- *Primal Shadows* (2001) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-312-87771-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-312-87771-4)

- *[Interlopers](/source/Interlopers_(novel))* (2001) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-441-00847-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-441-00847-X)

- *Kingdoms of Light* (2001) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-52667-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-52667-3)

- *Sagramanda* (2006) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-59102-488-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-59102-488-9)

- *Relic* (2018) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1101967638](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1101967638)

### Collections

- *With Friends Like These ...* (1977) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-25701-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-25701-4)

- *... Who Needs Enemies?* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-31657-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-31657-6)

- *The Metrognome and Other Stories* (1990) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-36356-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-36356-6)

- *Mad Amos* (1996) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-39362-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-39362-7)

- *Impossible Places* (2002) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-45041-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-45041-8)

- *Exceptions to Reality* (2008) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-49604-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-49604-3)

- *The Flavors of Other Worlds* (2019) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-61475-986-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-61475-986-7)

- *The Taste of Different Dimensions* (2019) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-61475-957-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-61475-957-7)

### Anthologies edited

- *Smart Dragons, Foolish Elves* (1991) with [Martin H. Greenberg](/source/Martin_H._Greenberg)

- *Betcha Can't Read Just One* (1993)

- *Short Stories from Small Islands: Tales Shared in Palau* (2005)

### Novelizations

#### *Star Trek* universe

#### *Star Trek: The Animated Series*

1. *Star Trek Log One* (1974) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-24014-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-24014-6)

1. *Star Trek Log Two* (1974) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-25812-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-25812-6)

1. *Star Trek Log Three* (1975) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-24260-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-24260-2)

1. *Star Trek Log Four* (1975) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-24435-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-24435-4)

1. *Star Trek Log Five* (1975) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-33351-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-33351-9)

1. *Star Trek Log Six* (1976) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-24655-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-24655-1)

1. *Star Trek Log Seven* (1976) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-24965-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-24965-8)

1. *Star Trek Log Eight* (1976) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-25141-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-25141-5)

1. *Star Trek Log Nine* (1977) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-25557-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-25557-7)

1. *Star Trek Log Ten* (1978) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-27212-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-27212-9)[26]

#### *Star Trek* movies

- *[Star Trek: The Motion Picture](/source/Star_Trek%3A_The_Motion_Picture)* (1979), story credit

- *[Star Trek](/source/Star_Trek_(2009_film))* (2009) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4391-5886-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4391-5886-9), movie novelization

- *[Star Trek Into Darkness](/source/Star_Trek_Into_Darkness)* (2013) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4767-1648-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4767-1648-0), movie novelization

- *Star Trek: The Unsettling Stars* (2020) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1982140607](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1982140607), movie tie-in

#### *Star Wars* universe

- *[Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker](/source/Star_Wars%3A_From_the_Adventures_of_Luke_Skywalker)* (1976) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-26079-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-26079-1), novelization of *[Star Wars](/source/Star_Wars_(film))* [ghost writing](/source/Ghost_writing) as [George Lucas](/source/George_Lucas)

- *[Splinter of the Mind's Eye](/source/Splinter_of_the_Mind's_Eye)* (1978) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-27566-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-27566-7)

- *[The Approaching Storm](/source/The_Approaching_Storm)* (2002) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-44300-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-44300-4)

- *[Star Wars: The Force Awakens](/source/Star_Wars%3A_The_Force_Awakens_(novel))* (2015),[27] movie novelization

- "Bait" (2015), short story

#### Alien universe

1. *[Alien](/source/Alien_(film))* (1979) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-82977-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-82977-3)

1. *[Aliens](/source/Aliens_(film))* (1986) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-30139-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-30139-6)

1. *[Alien 3](/source/Alien_3)* (1992) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-36216-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-36216-6)

1. *[Alien: Covenant](/source/Alien%3A_Covenant)* (2017) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-785-65478-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-785-65478-0)

1. *[Alien: Covenant - Origins](/source/Alien%3A_Covenant_-_Origins)* (2017) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781785654763](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781785654763)

#### Terminator universe

- *[Terminator Salvation](/source/Terminator_Salvation)* (2009) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-84856-085-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-84856-085-0), movie novelization

#### *Transformers*

- *[Transformers](/source/Transformers_(film))* (2007) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-49799-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-49799-6)

- *[Transformers: Ghosts of Yesterday](/source/Transformers%3A_Ghosts_of_Yesterday)* (2007) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-49798-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-49798-8)

- *[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen](/source/Transformers%3A_Revenge_of_the_Fallen)* (2009) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-345-51593-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-345-51593-3)

- *[Transformers: The Veiled Threat](/source/Transformers%3A_The_Veiled_Threat)* (2009) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-51592-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-51592-7)

#### Standalone novelizations

- *[Dark Star](/source/Dark_Star_(film))* (1974) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-24267-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-24267-X), movie novelization

- *Luana* (Italian film) (1974) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-23793-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-23793-5), movie novelization

- *Maude* (unpublished 1974), television novelization ("[Maude's Dilemma](/source/Maude's_Dilemma)")[28]

- *[The Black Hole](/source/The_Black_Hole_(1979_film))* (1979) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-28538-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-28538-7), movie novelization

- *[Clash of the Titans](/source/Clash_of_the_Titans_(1981_film))* (1981) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-93675-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-93675-8), movie novelization

- *[Outland](/source/Outland_(film))* (1981) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-95829-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-95829-8), movie novelization

- *[The Thing](/source/The_Thing_(1982_film))* (1981) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-553-20477-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-553-20477-7), movie novelization

- *[Krull](/source/Krull_(film))* (1983) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-30642-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-30642-8), movie novelization

- *[The Last Starfighter](/source/The_Last_Starfighter)* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-425-07255-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-425-07255-X), movie novelization

- *The Last Starfighter Storybook* (1984) with [Lynn Haney](/source/Lynn_Haney) and [Jonathan Betuel](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jonathan_Betuel&action=edit&redlink=1)

- *[Shadowkeep](/source/Shadowkeep_(video_game))* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-32553-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-32553-8), also a computer game (1984)

- *[Starman](/source/Starman_(film))* (1984) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-32598-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-32598-8), movie novelization

- *[Pale Rider](/source/Pale_Rider)* (1985) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-32767-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-32767-0), movie novelization

- *[Alien Nation](/source/Alien_Nation_(film))* (1988) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-35264-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-35264-0), movie novelization

- *[The Dig](/source/The_Dig_(video_game))* (1995) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-446-51853-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-446-51853-0), also a computer game

- *[The Chronicles of Riddick](/source/The_Chronicles_of_Riddick)* (2004) [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-345-46839-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-345-46839-2), movie novelization

## Filmography

- *[Star Trek: The Motion Picture](/source/Star_Trek%3A_The_Motion_Picture)* (1979, story)

- *[Welcome to Paradox](/source/Welcome_to_Paradox)* (1998, story for episode "Our Lady of the Machine")

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** This pen name was used for the first publication of many of the *Montezuma Strip* stories.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Wenz, John (January 1, 2018). ["The First Star Wars sequel: Inside the writing of Splinter of the Mind's Eye"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180930231749/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-first-star-wars-sequel-inside-the-writing-of-splinter-of-the-minds-eye). *Syfy*. SyFy Channel. Archived from [the original](https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/the-first-star-wars-sequel-inside-the-writing-of-splinter-of-the-minds-eye) on September 30, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Bently, Lionel; Biron, Laura (2014). "The author strikes back: Mutating authorship in the expanded universe". *Law and Creativity in the Age of the Entertainment Franchise*. Cambridge University Press. p. 44. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-107-03989-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-107-03989-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Kaiburr crystal"](http://www.starwars.com:80/databank/technology/kaiburrcrystal/index.html). *StarWars.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110913133807/http://www.starwars.com/databank/technology/kaiburrcrystal/index.html) from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Osborn, Alex (April 18, 2015). ["Star Wars Celebration: Alan Dean Foster Writing The Force Awakens Novelization"](http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/18/star-wars-celebration-alan-dean-foster-writing-the-force-awakens-novelization?abthid=5532e3d244f2cb2e22000019). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151122213007/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/18/star-wars-celebration-alan-dean-foster-writing-the-force-awakens-novelization?abthid=5532e3d244f2cb2e22000019) from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Mini-Stories: Volume 9"](https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/mini-stories-volume-9/). *99% Invisible*. December 22, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_7-1) Cotter, Padraig (October 4, 2017). ["Alan Dean Foster interview: Alien: Covenant – Origins"](https://www.denofgeek.com/books/alan-dean-foster-interview-alien-covenant-origins/). *Den of Geek*. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_8-1) ["Mini-Stories: Volume 9 (transcript)"](https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/mini-stories-volume-9/transcript/). *99% Invisible*. December 22, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Lambie, Ryan (April 7, 2014). ["Looking back at Alan Dean Foster's Alien novelisation"](https://www.denofgeek.com/books/looking-back-at-alan-dean-fosters-alien-novelisation/). *Den of Geek*. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Lambie, Ryan (March 13, 2025). ["Alan Dean Foster and a legendary novelist's life in film"](https://filmstories.co.uk/news/alan-dean-foster-and-a-legendary-novelists-life-in-film/). *Film Stories*. Retrieved April 3, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** R, Dag (November 22, 2007). ["Interview with Alan Dean Foster – SFFWorld"](https://www.sffworld.com/2007/11/interview-alan-dean-foster/). Retrieved April 3, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-GrossAltman2016_12-0)** Gross, Edward; Altman, Mark A. (June 28, 2016). [*The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek: The First 25 Years*](https://books.google.com/books?id=CCN3CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA373). St. Martin's Press. pp. 372–374. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4668-7285-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4668-7285-1). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200725020054/https://books.google.com/books?id=CCN3CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA373) from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Alan Dean Foster Writing Star Trek Movie Adaptation"](http://trekmovie.com/2009/02/12/alan-dean-foster-writing-star-trek-movie-adaptation/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090215103909/http://trekmovie.com/2009/02/12/alan-dean-foster-writing-star-trek-movie-adaptation/) from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Gallery To Release Star Trek Into Darkness Novel"](http://www.startrek.com/article/gallery-to-release-star-trek-into-darkness-novel). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130618080441/http://www.startrek.com/article/gallery-to-release-star-trek-into-darkness-novel) from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Flood, Allison. ["Star Wars author appeals to Disney in fight over royalties"](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/19/sstar-wars-author-disney-royalties-alan-dean-foster). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201123055005/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/nov/19/sstar-wars-author-disney-royalties-alan-dean-foster) from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Star Wars Novelist Says Disney Won't Pay Him Royalties it Owes Him"](https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/19/21578621/disney-alan-dean-foster-royalties-copyright-law). *[The Verge](/source/The_Verge)*. [Vox Media](/source/Vox_Media). November 19, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201123173741/https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/19/21578621/disney-alan-dean-foster-royalties-copyright-law) from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["#DisneyMustPay Alan Dean Foster"](https://www.sfwa.org/2020/11/18/disney-must-pay/). [Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America](/source/Science_Fiction_and_Fantasy_Writers_of_America). November 18, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201118231853/https://www.sfwa.org/2020/11/18/disney-must-pay/) from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["1 May 2021"](https://www.alandeanfoster.com/version2.0/updates.htm). Alan Dean Foster. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20021011211618/http://alandeanfoster.com/version2.0/updates.htm) from the original on October 11, 2002. Retrieved April 30, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Johnston, Rich (May 11, 2021). ["Disney To Pay Star Wars Novelists Alan Dean Foster And More"](https://bleedingcool.com/comics/disney-pay-star-wars-novelists-alan-dean-foster/). *[Bleeding Cool](/source/Bleeding_Cool)*. Retrieved November 16, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["IAMTW 2008 awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20081119142102/http://www.iamtw.org/awards_2008_winners.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.iamtw.org/awards_2008_winners.html) on November 19, 2008. Retrieved June 4, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Builder by Alan Dean Foster - FictionDB"](https://www.fictiondb.com/author/alan-dean-foster~builder~117989~b.htm). *www.fictiondb.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201119140302/https://www.fictiondb.com/title/builder~alan-dean-foster~117989.htm) from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Title: Builder"](http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?978722). *www.isfdb.org*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142201/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?978722) from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Patten, Fred (August 4, 2001). ["New Alan Dean Foster"](https://www.flayrah.com/309/new-alan-dean-foster). *Flayrah*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190604011425/https://www.flayrah.com/309/new-alan-dean-foster) from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Publication: Exceptions to Reality"](http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?490305). *[ISFDB](/source/ISFDB)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200725015330/http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?490305) from the original on July 25, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** *The human blend*. [Online Computer Library Center](/source/Online_Computer_Library_Center). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [548412878](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/548412878) – via [WorldCat](/source/WorldCat).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["THE MOCKING PROGRAM by Alan Dean Foster"](https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780446527743). *[Publishers Weekly](/source/Publishers_Weekly)*. July 1, 2002. Retrieved February 9, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Ayers, Jeff (2006). [*Voyages of Imagination: The Star Trek Fiction Companion*](https://books.google.com/books?id=_Enmn8Vs688C&pg=PP65). Pocket Books. p. 65. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-4165-0349-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-4165-0349-8). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201118040644/https://books.google.com/books?id=_Enmn8Vs688C&pg=PP65) from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Osborn, Alex (April 18, 2015). ["Star Wars Celebration: Alan Dean Foster Writing The Force Awakens Novelization"](http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/18/star-wars-celebration-alan-dean-foster-writing-the-force-awakens-novelization). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003920/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/04/18/star-wars-celebration-alan-dean-foster-writing-the-force-awakens-novelization) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Athans, Philip (September 20, 2011). ["The Fantasy Author's Handbook Interview XVI: Alan Dean Foster"](https://fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/the-fantasy-author%E2%80%99s-handbook-interview-alan-dean-foster/). *Fantasy Author's Handbook*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142221/https://fantasyhandbook.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/the-fantasy-author%E2%80%99s-handbook-interview-alan-dean-foster/) from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.

## Further reading

- Duignan-Cabrera, Anthony (July 1996). "The InQuest Q&A: Alan Dean Foster". *[InQuest](/source/InQuest_Gamer)*. No. 15. pp. 54–57.

## External links

[Library resources](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:The_Wikipedia_Library) about
 **Alan Dean Foster**

- [Resources in your library](https://ftl.toolforge.org/cgi-bin/ftl?st=wp&su=Alan+Dean+Foster)

- [Resources in other libraries](https://ftl.toolforge.org/cgi-bin/ftl?st=wp&su=Alan+Dean+Foster&library=0CHOOSE0)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Alan Dean Foster](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Alan_Dean_Foster).

- [Official website](http://www.alandeanfoster.com)

- [Alan Dean Foster](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0287669/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Alan Dean Foster](https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/ea.cgi?142) at the [Internet Speculative Fiction Database](/source/Internet_Speculative_Fiction_Database)

- [FYC Conversations with Alan Dean Foster (Part One)](http://fycshow.libsyn.com/fyc-conversations-with-alan-dean-foster-part-one), *[For Your Consideration](http://fycshow.libsyn.com/)* podcast, September 2017

- [FYC Conversations with Alan Dean Foster (Part Two)](http://fycshow.libsyn.com/fyc-conversations-with-alan-dean-foster-part-2), *[For Your Consideration](http://fycshow.libsyn.com/)* podcast, October 2017

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Alan Dean Foster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Dean_Foster) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Dean_Foster?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.