.author-slider-container {
    max-width: 100%;
    margin: 20px auto;
}

.author-slide-link {
    display: block;
    text-decoration: none;
    color: inherit;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
    border-radius: 12px;
}

.author-image-wrapper {
    position: relative;
    width: 100%;
    padding-top: 125%; /* Aspect ratio (4:5 vertical cards) */
    background-color: #f2f2f2;
}

.author-image-wrapper img {
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    object-fit: cover;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.author-slide-link:hover img {
    transform: scale(1.05);
}

/* Dark Gradient Overlay for Name Readability */
.author-caption-overlay {
    position: absolute;
    bottom: 0;
    left: 0;
    right: 0;
    padding: 24px 16px 16px;
    background: linear-gradient(180deg, transparent 0%, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8) 100%);
    color: #ffffff;
    text-align: center;
}

.author-name {
    display: block;
    font-size: 1.1rem;
    font-weight: 600;
    letter-spacing: 0.5px;
}