Arlene Farber, better known by the pseudonym C.S. Friedman, is an American author of science fiction and fantasy. Her career began in 1986 with the novel *In Conquest Born*, which earned her a nomination for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Author. She is best known for the *Coldfire Trilogy*, a work that blends high fantasy elements with scientific principles and psychological horror, which has become a classic of the genre. Her work ranges from space opera to dark fantasy, often exploring themes such as identity, power, and the nature of reality. Notable among her science fiction works is *This Alien Shore*, a novel that won the prestigious John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 1999. Other significant works include the vampire novel *The Madness Season* and the subsequent *Magister Trilogy*. Her writing is noted for its complex world-building, the psychological depth of its characters, and its often dark and intense atmospheres, making her a distinctive voice in contemporary speculative fiction.