This writer maligns Samoan perhaps (8)
I believe the answer is:
islander
'this writer maligns samoan perhaps' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'writer maligns samoan perhaps' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'I' (the person who is writing these clues).
'maligns samoan perhaps' becomes 'slander' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'i'+'slander'='ISLANDER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for islander that I've seen before include "Person inhabiting Aran, say" , "Inhabitant of Man, for example" , "Isolated dweller" , "Friendly person" , "Inhabitant of Fiji, for example" .)