Crossword Genius

Novelist quits rewrite about Republican puppet masters, perhaps (14)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ventriloquists

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

'puppet masters perhaps' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'novelist quits rewrite about republican' is the wordplay.
'rewrite' is an anagram indicator (I've seen 'rewritten' mean this).
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'republican' becomes 'R' (abbreviation in US politics).
'novelist'+'quits'='novelistquits'
'novelistquits' anagrammed gives 'ventiloquists'.
'ventiloquists' placed around 'r' is 'VENTRILOQUISTS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app