Clue: Spice up writer (5)
Answer: SUMAC
Explanation: Definition: Spice
A reversal ('up' in a down light) of CAMUS (Albert, 'writer'), Apart from identifying the 'up' as referring to the 'writer', not the 'spice', the latter is not the first thing that comes to my mind for the shrub, but apparently the dried fruits of some species of sumac are ground for a spice used mainly in Middle Eastern cookery.