I see what you mean - I think it's just a cryptic way to make you think of a word for " to ignore " instead of thinking of Coventry as part of the writers name AND to make a sentence out of the clue.
I'm struggling with the bottom half of the crossword.
Perhaps you could help me out with 18 Across or 27 across to get me going again.
I thought 18 across should be easy - a play from 1736 - but I've had no joy.
I also presume 27 across is something like Henderson, Sanderson or Winterson, but again no joy.
The TLS is the only Times crossword I haven't won and I would love to. Thanks in advance.