Every theory has its pet names. What does Cultural Studies think of literature, authors, and readers?
What is literature?
What is literature? What isn't literature is more like it. As far as cultural studies goes, literature doesn't just mean classic texts or works from particular time period—any form of written material can be classed as "literature," and even non-written materials (photos, music videos, tweets) are analyzable as "texts." Cultural studies is nothing if not inclusive, so the world is your supra-literary oyster.
What is an Author?
In true cultural studies fashion, an "author" is loosely defined anyone who generates texts. The notion of the author as an artistic genius or some sort of mythical figure has no place in cultural studies, and being an author isn't a question of having penned a literary masterpiece or achieved fame and fortune. In short, anyone can potentially be classed an author.
What is a Reader?
The reader is anyone who consumes any form of textual material. In cultural studies, it's important to consider the extent to which readers are able to create their own meanings. Some cultural theorists have focused on the influence of texts over the individual and the public, while others have observed readers' capacity to resist dominant meanings.
Of course, the type of text has a bearing on this: some invite readers to form their own meanings while others try to impose an interpretation or change the reader's mind. In general, though, cultural studies recognizes—and encourages—what readers bring to the reading process.