Crossword Genius

Sit next to a flipping fabulous writer (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aesop

'fabulous writer' is the definition.
(writer of fables)

'sit next to a flipping' is the wordplay.
'sit' becomes 'pose' (as in sitting for a painter).
'next to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'flipping' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'pose'+'a'='posea'
'posea' reversed gives 'AESOP'.

(Other definitions for aesop that I've seen before include "Fabulous writer" , "classic author" , "Great Greek teller of animal fables" , "Greek author of fables (c 620-560 BC)" , "Greek author, famous for his fables" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app