Employed some famous editors (4)
I believe the answer is:
used
'employed' is the definition.
('use' can be a synonym of 'employ')
'some famous editors' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some parts of the word are used).
'USED' is hidden within 'famous editors'.
(Other definitions for used that I've seen before include "Subject to exploitation" , "No longer new" , "Brought into service" , "Was treating" , "Second-hand; exploited" .)