Crossword Genius

Russian author left by such an erotic dancer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

gogol

'russian author' is the definition.
(author Nikolai Gogol)

'left by such an erotic dancer' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'such an erotic dancer' becomes 'gogo' (as in a go-go dancer).
'l' after 'gogo' is 'GOGOL'.

(Other definitions for gogol that I've seen before include "Nikolai ---, Gov't Inspector author" , "Nikolai -, Russian author (Dead Souls)" , "Dead Souls Russ. author" , "Nineteenth century Russian author" , "The Government Inspector author" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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