Payment of very little substance for writers (7)
I believe the answer is:
pension
'payment of very little' is the definition.
'pension' can be an answer for 'payment' (pension is a kind of payment). I am not sure about the 'of very little' bit.
'substance for writers' is the wordplay.
'substance' becomes 'ion' (ion is a kind of substance).
'for' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'writers' becomes 'pens' (writing implements).
'ion' put after 'pens' is 'PENSION'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pension that I've seen before include "residence abroad" , "support for the elderly" , "Bed and breakfast or small hotel in France" , "Payment to retired persons a continental boarding house" , "Retirement allowance" .)