Crossword Genius

Writer’s tip: induct headhunter? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cannibal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'headhunter?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'writer's tip induct' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'tip' could be 'nib' (I have seen 'Tip of pen ' mean 'nib' so perhaps 'tip' could also mean 'nib') and 'nib' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'canal' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cannibal that I've seen before include "Person who has someone for dinner?" , "Fellow consumer" , "One with odd eating habits" , "Animal that eats it own kid (8)." , "Anthropophagite" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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