The answer to the crossword for the term 'LESS THAN ZERO AUTHOR' is ELLIS, a five letter word. The author in question is Bret Easton Ellis, an American author who is best known for his novel Less Than Zero, which was published in 1985. The novel follows the lives of a group of wealthy teenagers living in Los Angeles and their struggles with drugs, sex, and relationships. It has since become a cult classic and has been adapted into a movie.