Crossword puzzle clue "circled by"

[See circled letters]

Novella whose final words are found in the circled squares

Part 1 of a quip by the writer named in the circled letters

Language quintet comprising the only elements in the circled boxes

[Circled letter]-consuming activity

Lincoln's description of pre-Civil War America ... or a hint to the circled letters

Somewhat suspect (and a hint to what can be found by connecting the circled letters in alphabetical order)

Blog comment format usually interpreted as the word spelled by eight aptly circled puzzle letters