It's illustrated in a topic given spin by a shifty liar (9)
I believe the answer is:
pictorial
'it's illustrated' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'topic given spin by a shifty liar' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'topic' is 'picto' which is present in the answer.
an anagram of 'liar' is 'rial' which is located in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'in a' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pictorial that I've seen before include "Illustrated" , "Magazine" , "in photographs" , "Clip a riot (anag) - graphic" .)