New poets are producing works (8)
I believe the answer is:
operates
'works' is the definition.
('operate' can be a synonym of 'work')
'new poets are' is the wordplay.
'new' indicates an anagram.
'poets'+'are'='poetsare'
'poetsare' anagrammed gives 'OPERATES'.
'producing' is the link.
(Other definitions for operates that I've seen before include "Works" , "Directs or controls, machinery say" , "Functions" , "Acts" , "Performs sugery" .)