Some recompense for writers (4)
I believe the answer is:
pens
'writers' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'some recompense for' is the wordplay.
'some' says the answer is hidden in the clue (some of the parts of the word are used).
'PENS' is hidden in the letters of 'recompense for'.
(Other definitions for pens that I've seen before include "Female swans" , "Livestock enclosures" , "Imprisons" , "birds" , "stalls" .)