Crossword Genius

Before today, author Sinclair seen with pained expression (2,2,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

up to now

'before today' is the definition.

'author sinclair seen with pained expression' is the wordplay.
'author sinclair' becomes 'upton' (Upton Sinclair the American writer).
'seen with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'pained expression' becomes 'ow' (exclamation of pain).
'upton'+'ow'='UP TO NOW'

(Other definitions for up to now that I've seen before include "Hitherto" , "So far" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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