Possible Clues:

• Writer likes New York gravity, possibly
• Charles --, author of the children's novel 'The Water Babies'
• John --, given names of the playwright who wrote 'Entertaining Mr Sloane'
• Sir Ben —, actor
• Martin's father, 19th-century novelist
• Ben —, actor
• Actor likes improvising to mask no good play's finale
• Royal and ancient pathway for novelist
• Charles —, author
• Author's books left you taken aback