Crossword Genius

American sectarians hard on English novelist (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

amish

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'american sectarians hard on english novelist' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'hard on english novelist' is the wordplay.
'hard' becomes 'h'.
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'english novelist' becomes 'amis' (Kingsley or Martin Amis. I am not sure about the 'english' bit.**).
'h' put after 'amis' is 'AMISH'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for amish that I've seen before include "American follower of the Mennonite religion" , "Religious group" , "US religious community" , "those eshewing modern technology" , "Relating to a strict American sect" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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