Coward say cut verse from fictional work (4)
I believe the answer is:
noel
'coward say' is the definition.
(playwright Noel Coward is an example)
'verse from fictional work' is the wordplay.
'verse' becomes 'v'.
'from' suggests deleting specific letters.
'fictional work' becomes 'novel ' (I've seen this before).
'novel' with 'v' taken out is 'NOEL'.
'cut' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for noel that I've seen before include "Coward - Christmas" , "Xmas refrain" , "seasonal festival" , "Feature of last month" , "Sir - - Coward" .)