Crossword Genius

Can book start to produce leads? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

preserve

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'can' is the definition.
(preserve in a can)

'book start to produce leads?' is the wordplay.
'book' becomes 're-serve' (as in booking or reserving in advance).
'start to produce' becomes 'p' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'leads?' says to put letters next to each other (some letters go in front of others).
'reserve' after 'p' is 'PRESERVE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for preserve that I've seen before include "Refuse to give up" , "defend" , "put on the table in advance?" , "Look after" , "Keep alive, maintain" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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