Literary drudge (4)
I believe the answer is:
hack
'literary drudge' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for hack that I've seen before include "Break into computer system" , "Chop at hired horse?" , "Writer of uninspiring stuff" , "Journo" , "Cut - literary drudge - work horse" .)