Author Zane ____ (4)
I believe the answer is:
grey
'author zane' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for grey that I've seen before include "Looking old" , "Unclear (area); dull (weather)" , "Old - colourless" , "Anonymous" , "(Of weather) dull, cloudy" .)