Author
Writer, Novelist
noun
This is a strange one, but only at first glance. You make a house. You'd think this would mean something like "building a house" or "construction" or something. Instead, it means author. Think of it this way: An author makes (writes and creates works) in their home. Authors don't make their word magic in a corporate office!
さっか
The readings are on'yomi readings, though さく from 作 gets shortened to さっ. Just be sure to remember that and you should be able to read this word just fine.
あこがれの作家さんから、サインをもらいました。
I got an autograph from an aspiring author.
この作家、ずいぶん思い切ったね。
This novelist pushed things pretty far, eh?
あのベストセラー作家の趣味はサッカーだ。
That best-selling author’s hobby is playing soccer.