Redemption money a children’s author talked of (6)
I believe the answer is:
ransom
'redemption money' is the definition.
(money paid to a kidnapper)
'a children's author talked of' is the wordplay.
'a children's author' becomes 'ransome' (Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons).
'talked of' shows a homophone (sound like).
'ransome' sounds like 'RANSOM'.
(Other definitions for ransom that I've seen before include "Kidnapper's demand" , "Payment, eg to kidnapper" , "Ready to release prisoner" , "Rescue" , "Means to release prisoner" .)