The term 'COLOR PURPLE, THE AUTHOR' can be solved by two crossword solutions: ALICE (5 letters) and Celie (5 letters). ALICE is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple, which was published in 1982. The novel follows the story of a young African American woman named Celie, who struggles to find her identity and independence in the early 20th century. Celie is the protagonist of the novel and is portrayed as a strong and resilient woman.