Novelist Waugh (4)
I believe the answer is:
'novelist waugh' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for alec that I've seen before include "Sir - Douglas-Home, former PM" , "Smart boy?" , "Guinness (a smart lad?)" , "Boy's name (a smart one?)" , "A smart . . . . is a know-all in lace" .)