Better writing in contoured italics (4)
I believe the answer is:
edit
'better writing' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'in contoured italics' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'EDIT' is hidden within 'contoured italics'.
(Other definitions for edit that I've seen before include "modify text" , "Ready for publication" , "Rewrite" , "What our boss does" , "Make textual changes" .)