Some of them manage a Jane Austen novel (4)
I believe the answer is:
emma
'austen novel' is the definition.
(novel by Jane Austen)
'some of them manage a jane' is the wordplay.
'some of' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'EMMA' can be found hidden inside 'them manage jane'.
(Other definitions for emma that I've seen before include "Novel by June Austen" , "Jane Austen work - Ms Bunton, former Baby Spice" , "Best Actress Oscar winner 1992, for 'Howard's End'" , "Titled heroine" , "book" .)