Crossword Genius

Something that might be blown in the presence of English writer (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hornby

'english writer' is the definition.
(novelist Nick Hornby)

'something that might be blown in the presence of' is the wordplay.
'something that might be blown' becomes 'horn' (wind instrument).
'in the presence of' becomes 'by' ('by' can mean next to or near).
'horn'+'by'='HORNBY'

(Another definition for hornby that I've seen is " Nick --, British author".)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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