Need millions to engage in encouragement to repeat main Waugh novel (5,8)

'waugh novel' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'need millions to engage in encouragement to repeat main' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'need' could be 'lack' (to lack something is to be in need of it) and 'lack' is found in the answer.
'millions' could be 'm' (abbreviation) and 'm' is present in the answer.
'repeat' could be 'bis' (musical direction meaning to play a second time) and 'bis' is found within the remaining letters.
'main' could be 'chief' (synonyms) and 'chief' is present in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?