Grid Size: 11 x 11
Crosshare.org has been doing a monthly midi contest for a few years now where constructors build an entire 11×11 puzzle around a single word or phrase. It’s always delightful to see how people’s minds generate such different ideas around a prompt. Thanks to Kieran Boyd for encouraging me to enter this month (after quite a lengthy absence from the contest!). This month’s theme is “On the Farm.” Happy solving!
It’s been an eventful last week for me in the Crossworld. I had my second New York Times puzzle on Tuesday (12/10) with Lil AVC X roster phenom and friend Geoffrey Schorkopf. I also had my USA Today debut on Saturday (12/14) with the puzzle “Hi Hi!” – thanks to all for solving! You can check out the write-ups for the NYT and USAT puzzles courtesy of the New York Times Wordplay blog and Sally Hoelscher’s always excellent Off the Grid.
One more fun plug! I’m back with Lil AVC X as an editor/mentor for 2025. If you haven’t already purchased an AVC X subscription as a holiday gift for that crossword lover in your life, now is the perfect time. There’s so much incredible content over there, it’s well worth the price!