The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word LOFTING
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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More clues leading to the result LOFTING
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Sending up/children’s author" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sending up/children’s author = lofting.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LOFTING mean?
LOFTING noun- An upper part; ceiling.
- Lagging or longitudinal timber resting on caps to support the roof of a working.
- To propel high into the air.
- To fly or travel through the air, as though propelled
- To throw the ball erroneously through the air instead of releasing it on the lane's surface.
- To furnish with a loft space.