Author Ferber (4)
I believe the answer is:
'author ferber' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for edna that I've seen before include "- O'Brien, Ir. novelist" , "Female Dane, oddly" , "Famous dame" , "Girl for Dane" , "Dame - Everage, housewife-superstar" .)