Supporter then read novel (8)
I believe the answer is:
adherent
'supporter' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'then read novel' is the wordplay.
'novel' is an anagram indicator (letters in a new or novel order).
'then'+'read'='thenread'
'thenread' with letters rearranged gives 'ADHERENT'.
(Other definitions for adherent that I've seen before include "Supporter, follower" , "One believes in and helps spread the doctrine of another" , "Loyal follower - sticks close" , "Loyal follower, one who sticks" , "Follower, partisan" .)