'The Maze Runner', is the first book in a young-adult, dystopian science fiction trilogy of the same name, by James Dashner. The novel was published October 2009 by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House. The book was shopped around and is currently in production for a major motion picture by 20th Century Fox. James Dashner announced in November 2011 that he was writing a prequel to 'The Maze Runner' titled 'The Kill Order', which was released August 14, 2012.