Author Iain Banks has revealed that he has late stage cancer and is unlikely to live beyond a year.
He posted a message on his official website saying he was cancelling all future public engagements.
The Scottish writer said his next novel The Quarry, which is due to be published later this year, would be his last.
The statement said his health problems came to light when he saw his doctor, suffering from a sore back.
He was diagnosed with jaundice, before further tests established the full extent of his illness.