| UNORTHODOX | Novel by a French writer reportedly unknown by party |
| CAVERN | Underground chamber caught by a French writer largely (6) |
| TAVERN | Time taken by a French writer endlessly in pub (6) |
| BEAUTY | Scottish island, reportedly unknown, displays allure |
| EXCALIBUR | Reportedly unknown gauge in king's weapon |
| UNBEATEN | A French cookery writer reportedly never surpassed |
| APPAL | A letter-writer reportedly in shock (5) |
| UNIVERSAL | A French writer (mostly poetry) with a large set of studios? (9) |
| JIGGERYPOKERY | Sharp practice unknown by a dancer, and by a pusher |
| HEMINGWAY | Writer reportedly adding edge to process |
| ERNESTHEMINGWAY | Writer, reportedly serious, may whinge when bothered (6,9) |
| IMPACT | Hit writer reportedly ready for holiday |
| CHATEAUBRIAND | A very tender cut of beef tenderloin steak named after a French writer and historian (13) |
| INIT | Like a billionaires' club member, author reportedly has already joined? (7,2,2) |
| ROLLING | Like a billionaires' club member, author reportedly has already joined? (7,2,2) |
| SAINTEXUPERY | Airport at Lyon, named after a French writer/aviator (5-7) |
| GRAVE | Serious mark of a French writer? (5) |
| GIDE | Said to have encouraged a French writer (4) |
| EMILEZOLA | Keeping some distance, Ezra Pound falls in love with a French writer |
| RABELAIS | Overturning beer ban, is a French writer |
