What is the author's persona? a fictional narrator with a distinct personality from the historical author
the voice created by authors when seeming to speak for themselves
the attitude the author or narrator has toward the subject matter
the historical author's personality, background, and viewpoints

a fictional narrator with a distinct personality from the historical author

Explanation:

A fictional narrator with a distinct personality from the historical author – this is the right answer. The author's persona is the literary device, and it is the voice that seemingly is thinking or writing the work. Yet, this is the separate persona from the author’s own voice. Persona is just what the author created to be most suitable for the particular work.

The voice created by authors when seeming to speak for themselves – this is not the right answer. The term for this is authorial voice.

The attitude the author or narrator has toward the subject matter – this is an incorrect answer. This is the definition of the tone.

The historical author's personality, background, and viewpoints – this is not the right answer. This is the author himself.