One writer claims novel (3)
I believe the answer is:
new
'novel' is the definition.
(novel means new or fresh)
'one writer claims' is the wordplay.
'claims' indicates a hidden word (the answer is held or claimed within the clue).
'NEW' can be found hidden inside 'one writer'.
(Other definitions for new that I've seen before include "Not previously used" , "Modern" , "Not existing before" , "Novel, recent" , "Recently made, etc" .)