CLOCK WORD

The solutions from 1 to 12 are all six-letter words ending with the letter L in the centre. Moving clockwise from 1, the letters in the outer circle will spell out the name of a US author. 1. Yearly 2. Victory wreath 3. Servant 4. --- Black, actress 5. Standard 6. Christmas decoration 7. Trying experience 8. Official, serious 9. Food-flavouring plant 10. Death-dealing 11. Involve 12. Trade