We’re drawing back to Mid-November in this issue, but the big news is especially timely: If you haven’t heard, this weekend is Puzzle Mania weekend in the New York Times, punctuated by the annual Super Mega Crossword brought to us this year by Joe DiPietro.
The scope of the rest of the section has varied over recent years, but solvers can expect a range of puzzle types reflective of that seen from the Times – at least when variety puzzles were still available to online subscribers – with a few goodies that we only see yearly.
The Puzzle Mania insert is available in physical copies only. Later next week, limited copies of the insert alone will be available for order from the Times’ online store. If you’re concerned about securing one, we recommend you take advantage of the “Notify Me When Available” option on that page — we’ve never had an issue with getting an order in the same day copies become available.
In addition to his typical appearance as Puzzlemaster, Will Shortz met with NPR for a brief interview in mid-November. Wordplay at the New York Times also published a short piece marking his 30 years as crossword editor.
Topical puzzle suites or series are a bit in vogue right now — Alex Boisvert’s Crossword Nexus comes to mind with runs of grids inspired by Marx Brothers films, songs from the Stevie Wonder album Innervisions, and other, older examples. This fall, Will Nediger quietly dropped a (free) 16-puzzle suite inspired by the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense. If it’s up your alley and you missed it then, here’s another chance.
Not a puzzle book, but an exploration of some of the crossword’s most infamous entries, Crosswordese: A Guide to the Weird and Wonderful Language of Crossword Puzzles by David Bukszpan is part study guide, part celebration, part comedy take on the OASTs and UTNEs of the world.
Beginning its third year, Lil AVC X announced its 2024 cohort of constructors who will work in a mentee-mentor role with a group of editors. Lil AVC X puzzles are part of a subscription to AVCX and are delivered by email on Mondays and Tuesdays, and over the course of the year will also see a number of guest puzzles from alumni and friends of the outlet.
Garrett Chalfin, who coincidentally has today’s New York Times puzzle, was profiled by the Chicago Sun-Times following his previous appearance at the NYT.
Congratulations to everyone who has made constructing debuts since our last issue!
Los Angeles Times: Margi Stevenson (11/14), Kunal Nabar (11/25), Ricky Sirois (11/26), Carolyn Davies Lynch (11/27), Jeanne D. Breen (11/29), David Goldenberg (11/30), Matthew Goldenberg (11/30), Norman Aaronson (12/7), Ryan Patrick Smith (12/16)
USA Today: Willa Angel Chen Miller (11/28), Manaal Mohammed (12/6), Aidan Deshong (12/12), Thea Kendal (12/14), Steve Mossberg (12/15)
New York Times: Benjamin Fink (11/13), Matthew Linzer (11/14), Will Pfadenhauer (11/22), Ricky J. Sirosis (11/27), Jeffrey Martinovic (11/30), Royce Ferguson (12/2), Luke K. Schreiber (12/11), Esha Datta (12/14), Alex Tomlinson (12/15)