Set - one about to produce great work (7)
I believe the answer is:
classic
'great work' is the definition.
(eg a literary classic)
'set one about to' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'set' could be 'sic' (synonyms) and 'sic' is found within the answer.
'one' could be 'a' (a thing is one thing) and 'a' is located in the answer.
'about' could be 'c' (abbreviation for 'circa') and 'c' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'produce' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for classic that I've seen before include "Of recognized excellence" , "Very great work of art" , "Eg, screw thread" , "Good example of its kind" , "Literary masterpiece" .)