He showed some cleverness as an author (5)

I believe the answer is:

verne

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

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

'he showed some cleverness' is the wordplay.
'VERNE' is hidden within the letters.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for verne that I've seen before include "Jules --, French author" , "Jules ..... wrote ` `20,000 Leagues under the Sea' '" , "Jules --, French writer" , "Science-fiction writer" , "French novelist" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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