Crossword Genius

Did he deliver as US novelist? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mailer

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'novelist?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for mailer that I've seen before include "Norman --, US author" , "writer from America" , "American author of The Naked and the Dead, d. 2007" , "novelist" , "person at the post?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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