Crime writer speaks about leading lady (6)
I believe the answer is:
sayers
'crime writer' is the definition.
(Dorothy L Sayers)
'speaks about leading lady' is the wordplay.
'speaks' becomes 'says' (I've seen this in other clues).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'leading lady' becomes 'ER' (Elizabeth Regina).
'says' placed around 'er' is 'SAYERS'.
(Other definitions for sayers that I've seen before include "Dorothy L. ..., British crime writer" , "she wrote mysteries" , "they announce" , "Detective fiction author, d. 1957" , "They claim" .)