Dear solvers,
We editors love producing mini puzzles, both because it allows us to work with constructors who are newer to cryptics and because many of our solvers, who are themselves newer to cryptics, find them more accessible than their larger cousins. We hope you enjoy this pack!
The editors would like to introduce our constructors:
At Christmas, Stella was excited to discover that one of her niblings has gotten into solving cryptic clues through the magic of social media, and now here he is having made his first puzzle! Better yet, he's spreading the good word about cryptics to the next generation. Here's a little about constructor Justin Stickel in his own words:
I'm Justin Stickel, a 15-year-old cryptic creator, and though I'm newer to it, my interest in puzzles has been around ever since I can remember. My Aunt Stella introduced me to cryptic creation towards the end of last year, though I already had some experience through the Minute Cryptic. I introduced it as well as some other puzzles to my homeroom class towards the beginning of the school year and we have been doing them together daily. I've really enjoyed the process of making cryptics and learning more about them with my aunt, who has stoked my interest for puzzles even more.
Gussalufz, in addition to being an internationally-published setter of very fun cryptics, is the creator of the very fun apps Exolve and Exet. They are well worth a look for solvers and budding cryptic setters. Here's more about them from him:
'Got a PDF of a blocked cryptic? Just copy and paste the clues into Exolve Player to create an in-browser solvable version. Want your crossword construction tool to provide ideas for anagrams, containers, homophones, and Spoonerisms? Give Exet a try.'
And our third mini comes from Josh Singer, who describes himself as "a schmendrick who fell in love with solving cryptic crosswords and decided to try making them." This is his first attempt, and he is grateful to Francis and the AVCX crew for helping to make it presentable. He lives with his family and their cat Flipper in Portland, Oregon.
We'll be back with the usual block cryptic from a name you know and love in two weeks.
Be well,
The AVCX Cryptic team
You can also solve these puzzles online at crosswordr.com: Mini #1, Mini #2, and Mini #3 (AVCX login credentials required)
We editors love producing mini puzzles, both because it allows us to work with constructors who are newer to cryptics and because many of our solvers, who are themselves newer to cryptics, find them more accessible than their larger cousins. We hope you enjoy this pack!
The editors would like to introduce our constructors:
At Christmas, Stella was excited to discover that one of her niblings has gotten into solving cryptic clues through the magic of social media, and now here he is having made his first puzzle! Better yet, he's spreading the good word about cryptics to the next generation. Here's a little about constructor Justin Stickel in his own words:
I'm Justin Stickel, a 15-year-old cryptic creator, and though I'm newer to it, my interest in puzzles has been around ever since I can remember. My Aunt Stella introduced me to cryptic creation towards the end of last year, though I already had some experience through the Minute Cryptic. I introduced it as well as some other puzzles to my homeroom class towards the beginning of the school year and we have been doing them together daily. I've really enjoyed the process of making cryptics and learning more about them with my aunt, who has stoked my interest for puzzles even more.
Gussalufz, in addition to being an internationally-published setter of very fun cryptics, is the creator of the very fun apps Exolve and Exet. They are well worth a look for solvers and budding cryptic setters. Here's more about them from him:
'Got a PDF of a blocked cryptic? Just copy and paste the clues into Exolve Player to create an in-browser solvable version. Want your crossword construction tool to provide ideas for anagrams, containers, homophones, and Spoonerisms? Give Exet a try.'
And our third mini comes from Josh Singer, who describes himself as "a schmendrick who fell in love with solving cryptic crosswords and decided to try making them." This is his first attempt, and he is grateful to Francis and the AVCX crew for helping to make it presentable. He lives with his family and their cat Flipper in Portland, Oregon.
We'll be back with the usual block cryptic from a name you know and love in two weeks.
Be well,
The AVCX Cryptic team
You can also solve these puzzles online at crosswordr.com: Mini #1, Mini #2, and Mini #3 (AVCX login credentials required)