Iain Banks

Scottish writer known for witty, intelligent and inventive plots in his books. He is the author of "The Wasp Factory," "Canal Dreams" and "The Crow's Road," which was recently televised as a BBC drama. He wrote mainstream fiction under the name Iain Banks, and science fiction as Iain M. Banks, including the initial of his adopted middle name Menzies.

On 3 April 2013, Banks announced on his website that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the gallbladder and was unlikely to live beyond a year. In his announcement, Banks stated that he would be withdrawing from all public engagements and that The Quarry would be his last novel. The dates of publication of The Quarry were brought forward at Banks's request, and will be 20 June 2013 in the UK and 25 June 2013 in the US. Banks's death was announced on 9 June 2013. Banks is survived by his wife.