Alexander Nikolayevich Zhitinsky (; January 19, 1941January 25, 2012) was a Russian writer and journalist, founder of the ' publishing house. He used the pseudonyms Rock-diletant, ÃÂÃÂááÃÂ, and Maccolit.
He was born into the family of a military pilot on January 19, 1941. After finishing his education at the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, he became a well-known author, publishing 12 books during his career. He died on January 25, 2012.
The 1989 film The Stairway is based on his eponymous novella.