"The Magic Mountain" author (4)
I believe the answer is:
'the magic mountain author' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for mann that I've seen before include "Keyboard player Manfred" , "Manfred --, 1960s pop band" , "German writer concerned with the role of the artist in society, d. 1955" , "Thomas --, German writer (Death in Venice)" , "Thomas - - , German novelist" .)