Truman Capote spent four years writing the book.
Truman Garcia Capote ( [ ˈtruːmən_kəˈpoʊti ] born Truman Streckfus Persons , September 30 , 1924 -- August 25 , 1984 ) was an American novelist , screenwriter , playwright , and actor , many of whose short stories , novels , plays , and nonfiction are recognized as literary classics , including the novella Breakfast at Tiffany 's ( 1958 ) and the true crime novel In Cold Blood ( 1966 ) , which he labeled a `` nonfiction novel '' . At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced of Capote novels , stories , and plays . The critical success of one story , `` Miriam '' ( 1945 ) , attracted the attention of Random House publisher Bennett Cerf , and resulted in a contract to write the novel Other Voices , Other Rooms ( 1948 ) . Capote spent four years writing the book aided by his lifelong friend Harper Lee , who wrote To Kill a Mockingbird ( 1960 ) .