Crossword Genius

Gay writing he contributed to book (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blithe

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

'writing he contributed to book' is the wordplay.
'writing' becomes 'lit' (abbreviation for literature).
'contributed to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'book' becomes 'b' (abbreviation for book).
'lit'+'he'='lithe'
'lithe' after 'b' is 'BLITHE'.

(Other definitions for blithe that I've seen before include "Shelley: 'Hail to thee . . . . . . spirit! Bird thou never wert'" , "Cheerful and carefree" , "Carefree and casual" , "Happy, without worries or cares" , "Happy, joyous" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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