R.A. Salvatore
Robert Anthony Salvatore (B.1959) is a prolific American sci-fi and fantasy author, specialising in writing stories on contract in other people's settings (particularly the Star Wars expanded universe and D&D's Forgotten Realms).
Highlights of his career include murdering Chewbacca, writing the in-game chat for the multiplayer bots in Quake 3, and the creation of Drizzt Do'Urden, drow ranger and potato farmer extraordinaire. That means we have him to thank (alongside Peter Jackson) for every Legolas-like, special snowflake, lilac eyed-white-haired (dark)-elf-with-a-heart-of-gold since the mid-early 90s. The shield surfing is all on Jackson, though.
Tolkien is no doubt spinning in his grave.