Inferior versifier, one sampling American author? (9)
I believe the answer is:
poetaster
'inferior versifier' is the definition.
'poetaster' can be an answer for 'versifier' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm not certain of the 'inferior' bit.
'one sampling american author?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'one' could be 'a' (a thing is one thing) and 'a' is located in the answer.
'author?' could be 'poet' (poet is a kind of author) and 'poet' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ster' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for poetaster that I've seen before include "Bad versifier; operettas (anag.)" , "Rhymester" , "Writer of doggerel" , "William McGonagall" , "Poor writer of verse" .)