A writer of science-fiction never needs to take part (5)
I believe the answer is:
verne
'a writer' is the definition.
(Jules Verne, 1828-1905)
'fiction never needs to take part' is the wordplay.
'to take part' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen 'taking part' mean this).
'VERNE' can be found hidden inside 'fiction never needs'.
'of science' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for verne that I've seen before include "French novelist" , "Jules, auther of Around the World in 80 Days" , "Jules ..... wrote ` `20,000 Leagues under the Sea' '" , "Jules --, French writer" , "Jules --, French author" .)