Starts to read author's personal criticism (3)
I believe the answer is:
rap
'criticism' is the definition.
(as in taking the rap for a mistake)
'starts to read author's personal' is the wordplay.
'starts to' says to take the initial letters.
The initial letters of 'read authors personal' is 'RAP'.
(Other definitions for rap that I've seen before include "Rhyming monologue recited to rock music below par" , "Knock sharply" , "Knock - punishment - monologue to music" , "Knock for par" , "Pounding" .)