Matilda author (4)
I believe the answer is:
dahl
'matilda author' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for dahl that I've seen before include "Roald or Sophie?" , "Split pulses used in Indian cooking" , "James and the Giant Peach author" , "Model" , "Indian dish of legumes and spices" .)