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The New York Times puzzle section has evolved significantly over the last 80 years. It began in 1942, when they published their first crossword, and has grown into something more varied and modern for contemporary users. Today, people can come to NYT Games to enjoy it as a gaming platform and not bother with the news sections. This has led to jokes about the future direction of the New York Times and its diversification. Whatever direction it takes, the expansion was clearly the right call.

The Expansion of NYT Games

The Games section really has developed a life on its own in recent years. At one time, the crossword was king, and there wasn’t much else to do. That all changed when global visitors flocked to get their daily fix of Wordle. The company obtained the rights to the game – a massive hit during the pandemic – in 2022. Doing so added some validity to what was a low-key independent game and brought more eyes to it. It is still highly popular and brings countless players onto the site.

This section is also more diverse than newcomers might realize. The crossword is, of course, a key part of the platform, and you can get your daily fix of Sudoku, but there are other games too. Some are word-based, such as Spelling Bee, while others are more visual. Players can pick and choose their favorites or challenge themselves to solve them all during their work breaks. One of the more recent additions was Connections in 2023, which has become the second most popular game – after Wordle.

The decision to embrace gaming more generally hasn’t gone unnoticed. The team renamed the gaming account on Twitter to NYT Games rather than NYT Crosswords because the latter was simply outdated. It isn’t the crossword section anymore. It is so much more and NYT Games has essentially become a recognized brand of its own.

NYT Games is More Popular Than Ever

The decision to diversify and boost the profile of the Game sections is clearly working. A report from 2023 shows that the NYT Games app saw the largest share of time spent on the site by global visitors. NYT Games is more popular than some other sections, including the food and sports.

This has to be partly due to the accessibility of the games. Sports editorials and opinion pieces are still quite niche in comparison. People are still reading the news online, and there is a lot of time spent listening to different podcasts.Industry experts point out that this is just representative of app engagement and not overall engagement with New York Times content. Still, that hasn’t stopped some questioning the next direction for the NYT and its apps. One expert, Matthew Ball, tweeted that the site was turning into a gaming company. This is an exaggeration poking fun at what is a respected newspaper. However, there is a grain of truth to all jokes, and the traffic data can’t be ignored.

There is, in fact, a drive to move away from the more opinionated and dry news and op-ed pieces and offer a wider range of services. This is understandable in a climate where news publications have to be careful not to show their political leanings. There have been subscribers canceling their subscriptions recently because of a biased approach to LGBTQIA+ news stories. Of course, if the New York Times were to write more pieces advocating inclusivity and allyship, they’d lose people and get accused of being “woke”. That is why it is better to cast a wider net and attract a broader range of fish with a more varied selection of content.

Turning Traffic Into Subscriptions

Unsurprisingly, the New York Times has found a way to cash in on this popularity and make this expansion work in its favor. Games is now largely available to subscribers only. You can get a couple of free games on there, but the paywall stops regular visitors getting too much for nothing. This is in line with other titles in the NYT library, such as NYT Cooking and The Athletic. There is also the chance to bundle some features together into bigger packages for perceived value. Subscribers feel like they are getting a good chunk of content for their money and are more willing to pay the monthly rate.

The strategy is working, and many fans are happy to add NYT Games to their list of monthly subscriptions. In fact, the quality and value provided have even brought back some lapsed fans, such as those who boycotted the publication for those aforementioned political issues.

One subscriber surveyed about the platform said they were happy to sign up for the Games package and bypass the news content. They admit that some of the $50 per year fee could end up funding the work they were against, but it’s a compromise they can live with. It’s safe to say that others who felt uncertain about paying for the NYT for similar reasons may now be inclined to take the same Games-only route.

Higher-ups at the New York Times are aware of the growth potential here. They see the subscription to Games as a possible gateway portal into other content and subscription packages. People who had no interest in the publication before may now turn to it for their news and lifestyle features purely out of familiarity.

The Future of NYT Games

There is no intention for the Games section to become a priority or a massively separate division because the New York Times has more important things to deal with. Right now, there seems to be the right balance between creating an engaging gaming platform and using that to bring people into the wider world of NYT content.

The company saw the way the tide was turning when it came to online media and news outlets and adapted accordingly. The expansion of Games was the obvious way to deflect attention away from the op-eds and attract a new group of casual visitors. It paid off.

The next step is to maintain the Games platform in a way that stays true to the company’s goals and continues to keep players interested. If they can get access to the successor to Wordle and Connections, that will go a long way to maintaining people’s interest. That, and the right subscription packages, will make NYT Games a very successful enteprise for years to come.

A Modest Start

The initial Mini crossword didn’t exactly start with a bang. It sparked a flurry of social media chatter within hours of publication due to the inclusion of an abbreviated internet profanity, causing the crossword’s creator, a new editorial assistant at The Times, to contemplate whether their first day on the job would also be their last. Swiftly, the clue was revised to reference a musical group, steering clear of slang.
The date was August 21, 2014, and The New York Times had recently introduced a crossword app that featured the Mini as part of its offerings. The objective was straightforward: entice more people to try the main New York Times crossword puzzle, renowned for its formidable challenge, which could be intimidating to novice solvers.

The Birth of the Mini

Collaboration between The Times’s crosswords editor, Will Shortz, and product director Matt Hural led to the creation of a 5×5 crossword, a bite-sized version of the traditional puzzle. This Mini crossword would be available daily, at no cost, alongside the main puzzle, with the hope of cultivating a daily habit among beginner solvers until they felt ready to tackle the larger puzzle.
The puzzle’s creator, a recent college graduate and full-time editorial assistant for Will Shortz, eagerly embraced the opportunity to develop the Mini crossword project. Having previously crafted 25 full-size puzzles for The Times, this new puzzle size and format presented an exciting challenge. Unlike other Times products subjected to rigorous user testing and market research, the puzzle’s content was entirely at the discretion of its creator.
The early days of the Mini were characterized by experimentation. Some early Minis featured squares only intersected by a single answer, a departure from the norm in Times crosswords. Although the crossword creator abstained from text slang following the initial hiccup, the puzzle’s difficulty, tone, and references underwent near-daily adjustments in pursuit of setting it apart.

The Mini’s Unique Appeal

Over time, the Mini crossword revealed several advantages over its larger counterpart. Its compact size became an asset in an era characterized by fragmented attention spans and fleeting free moments. Solvers found it the perfect diversion, taking only a minute or two to complete.
Furthermore, its relative ease of completion served as a stepping stone for solvers who had long felt daunted by the main puzzle’s challenge. The Mini introduced a large and untapped audience of beginners to the joy of filling in that last square.

In late 2015, the Mini was integrated into The Times’s main news app, significantly expanding its audience. Today, it is solved by hundreds of thousands of people across various platforms, including: Nytimes.com, and The Times’s app
At one point, it even appeared in The Times’s daily Snapchat story.

A Puzzle Maker’s Journey

As per the individual responsible for crafting each Mini puzzle, their experience has been both exhilarating and anxiety-inducing. Crafting these puzzles comes with the challenge of finding fresh, five-letter words that are often vowel-heavy, a conundrum humorously acknowledged by the crossword creator (thanks, OBAMA!). Concerns about running out of ideas have been addressed by drawing inspiration from all aspects of life, from conversations with friends to current events and reading materials.

In this way, the puzzle creator ensures that the Mini remains as interesting for them as it is for the solvers who eagerly await each day’s wordplay challenge.

The Mini crossword’s remarkable journey from its experimental beginnings to its cherished status in the world of puzzles is a testament to its enduring appeal. It has not only provided daily entertainment, but also welcomed a new generation of solvers into the crossword-solving community. As it continues to captivate and challenge, the Mini crossword remains a daily delight for puzzle enthusiasts of all levels.

For close to three decades, Will Shortz has been a crossword Editor. Some folks refer to him as the “Puzzlemaster”. On 3rd March 2024, Mr. Shortz recorded a message about his health on the NPR Sunday edition. Shortz suffered a stroke and has been in rehabilitation since 2nd Feb. The message also read, “I’m making progress and looking forward to coming back with new puzzles”.

After Will Shortz’s message, Ayesha Rascoe shared a clip about his condition on the puzzle segment. Crossword lovers started to send their messages expressing love. Many wished him a quick recovery. Over the years, Shortz had been presenting on-air puzzles where the contestants play at home.

Pliska also wished Mr. Shortz a quick recovery and stated the team was looking forward to having him in the show. One of the fans wrote “Will Shorts and Ayesha have been good friends while playing puzzle on air. I look forward to playing with Mr. Shorts again.” The spokesman of the NYTimes, Mr. Cohen said “We keep in touch with Shortz”. He further said that Mr. Shortz was welcome to the show when ready.

His position was temporarily filled by the chief puzzle officer.
Will Shortz was first featured on Weekend Edition Sunday in the early 1970s. In 1993, Mr. Shortz served at the New York Times as a crossword editor. He’s the fourth person in history to hold such a position. Shortz’s love for puzzle games dates back to 1978. He worked at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament as the director. In 2006, Shortz served at the Games Magazine as an editor.

At 14 years old, Shortz sold the first puzzle. Following an interview with the Times, Shortz recalled writing a paper in 8th grade as a professional puzzle maker. Despite the critics, he didn’t give up. In 1974, he went to Indiana University to study a degree in puzzles. Shortz is the only person to earn a self-design degree in enigmatology (study of puzzles).

Close to 1000 crossword puzzle enthusiasts participated in the 46th American Puzzle Tournament held at Stamford. The annual event attracted players from Canada, Germany, France, Australia, and England. It was
the nation’s largest crossword competition. Players had different skill levels, so the scoring was based on accuracy. This tournament was an opportunity for crossword lovers to reunite with friends in a fun way. Everyone was racing to solve and earn points.

The contestants had different opinions about the game. According to Jim Jenista, the crossword game offers the solvers an opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere, and the answers make players go AHA! Jim added that while some people can complete puzzle games, it’s more exciting to compete against one another.
The crosswords are specifically created for the event.

Another player, Arnold Reich stated that the game was not cutthroat competitive but showed a strong sense of community. While the award is based on speed, people socialize. Surprisingly, the registration for the “solo” tournament was full.

In a statement by Mr. Reich, the attendance at Stamford exceeded the attendance at Brooklyn. The participants had to accommodate two ballrooms. For the Stamford tournament, prizes were awarded in 23 categories including the grand prize of $7,500. The five top solvers earned a total of $10,000.

Just like any other word game, the contestants had different skill levels. The star solvers were incredibly fast – some finished in minutes. According to Ron Osher, some players could write the answer even before you read your question. Those who had practiced before the tournament had an easy time. Erin Fitzgerald, a resident from Baltimore, emphasized that the activity was independent, though it brought players together. Cathy Parrish from Ellicott City also echoed the similar words. She believes the tournament made it possible to meet with friends who share the same passion. Parrish also argued that preparing a week before the event increases your odds of winning.

Most competitors came to support Will Shortz. The crossword editor was recovering from a stroke. Mr. Shortz is arguably the most celebrated crossword player of all time. According to Parrish, the legend deserves a presidential medal. In a press briefing, Shortz said that crossword players are smart and he was happy how everyone stepped up in the 46th American Puzzle Tournament. It’s an opportunity for players to celebrate their passion and test themselves while uniting with friends.

“Let’s play a game.”

That’s how NPR’s Puzzlemaster Will Shortz often opens his weekly segment, inviting Weekend Edition Sunday listeners into a moment of wordplay and wit. As host, I admit I was skeptical about adding puzzles, not considering myself much of a game player. But Will’s spirit and dedication won me over.

In his subtle New York accent, Will makes puzzling sound fun, not frustrating. He meets you wherever you are, whether a novice just seeking the thrill of an “aha!” moment or a longtime fan parsing every cryptic clue with relish. His creativity seems to flow as boundless as the wind yet also follows a methodical rhythm, like a perfectly penned poem.

So in preparing to interview Will at his home in Pleasantville, New York, I decided to challenge myself with a puzzle game of sorts – guess the number of ping pong balls in a jar. Though off by a long shot, I now better grasped his father’s road trip game that first sparked Will’s passion. Conjuring something playful, memorable, and deceptively simple takes skill.

The All-American pastime this was not, however, once we arrived at Will’s pride and joy – the Westchester Table Tennis Center. Display cases boasted trophies from junior tournaments alongside recent shots of Willlunging, paddle in hand. Founded with a business partner in 2009, the club welcomes hardcore competitors along weekend warriors, equal opportunity fun seekers.

“I’ve played table tennis every day for the past 11 years,” Will shared. The sport keeps his mind limber andreaction time quick at 71. It also connects him to the community, teammatesand rivals alike relishing the bonds formed over friendly games. The key is keeping ego aside and focus on the flow. Time melts away when fully immersed in the motions.

Much like constructing a crossword, I imagined.

Though Will “retired” decades back from table tennis tournaments, he continues diligently perfecting his skills. The lifelong puzzler applies a similar tenacity in his day job – editor of The New York Times crossword and NPR’s Puzzlemaster since 1987. Rarely has Will missed a Sunday in 36 years of fresh, creative challenges for the listeners.

“It feels great coming up with new ideas every week,” he told me back at his home office, walls and shelves bursting with puzzle ephemera. “I love the people I come in contact with through puzzles.”

He fondly recalls his father, not often one for games, challenging the bored kids in the backseat on a road trip to guess the distance to the next peak. Adventure lurked around every corner of the wild West in young Will’s eyes. He discovered at an early age the power of gamification – the ability to transform any moment into playful competition, intellectual discovery or just good old fun.

In 8th grade, Will penned the ultimate gamer’s daydream when asked about career dreams: “professional puzzle maker.” Not exactly a common path for a star student headed to Indiana University in the early 1970s. Ever the boundary pusher, Willdesigned his own major called “enigmatology” – the study of puzzles. He produced a thesis on wordplay history and painted a vision of puzzle passion as vocation.

“I dreamed of churning out puzzles for $10 a pop from some attic apartment, blissfully flying under society’s radar,” Will recalled with a chuckle. Although destiny had grander plans in store, that spirit still motivates Will’s relentless innovation season after season.

Beyond clever themes and timely references, the most critical ingredient is spark – feeling that surge when an elusive answer reveals itself or nearly omitted letters slide perfectly into place. That’s the puzzler’s high, often flowing easiest when walls and worries fade away. Total presence in the moment, hands of a clock be damned.

A very familiar sensation, it turns out, to the one Will discovered in his 7th decade – the spark of new love when least expected.

Earlier this year, Will opened up publicly in The New Yorker about dating and falling hard for the first time with a man. Last summer, Will and his boyfriend said their vows surrounded by fellow puzzle lovers at the table tennis center that has become his second home and community hub.

Having come of age when being gay felt like ”playing on hard mode” socially, Willfocused on his passion work, friendships and some casual relationships over the decadeswithout entering serious romance. Yet crossing paths with his soulmate proved perfecttiming is sometimes the final hidden phrase that unlocks life’s deepest rewards.

“I have no regrets meeting him when I did,” Will said, visibly glowing. “It worked out perfectly.”

Corny as it sounds, that assurance echoed in my mind later while half-listening to Will’s latest Sunday puzzle with my morning coffee. I startled when hearing him announce the wedding news on-air and congratulate the newlyweds, “Will Shortz and his husband…”

Wait, was that THIS Will Shortz?

Somehow I had missed that sweet reveal to millions of loyal fans. But this moment unveiled the warm, courageous heart behind the genial genius I had come to admire this past year.

By boldly bringing his whole self to puzzles and the public alike after decades in the closet, Will reminds us that growth remains possible at any age. And finding one’s missing piece often appears when least expected, as if the inkling of answers arises subconsciously before intellectual justification.

With that timely wisdom, I gained renewed inspiration to embrace life’s interlocking surprises and delights. Moments of curiosity, playfulness and discovery wait around every corner, across kitchen tables and park benches alike….if only we pose the questions.

Even for info-jaded journalists like me, keeping an open, inquisitive spirit remains imperative, Will helped me recognize. There are always more themes to unpack, individuals to understand, truths to unveil.

As we wrapped our visit, I thanked Will for the puzzle solving spirit he brings to public radio – reminding us each week to nurture our inner child, find connections in apparent disconnects and have fun mingling minds with strangers who become friends.

“Let’s play again next week,” our Puzzlemaster chuckled in closing. And I look forward to many more rounds ahead.

You may listen to Will Shortz Weekly Podcast on NPR by visiting THIS page.

*Image Credit: NPR

The Pioneer of Customized Education: Will Shortz

Will Shortz, a man synonymous with puzzles, has long been an inspiration for those pursuing unconventional career paths. At 9, Shortz crafted his first puzzle, a milestone that set him on a unique journey in the world of enigmatology. By 14, he was already a professional puzzle creator and, at 16, a regular contributor to Dell Puzzle Magazine.

 

Shortz’s academic journey took an intriguing turn during his time at Indiana University. Initially focused on economics, he shifted gears in his junior year, spurred by a childhood joke about majoring in puzzles. The discovery of the university’s individualized major program transformed this joke into a reality. Thus, enigmatology as a field of study was born. Shortz crafted his curriculum with courses like “History of American Word Puzzles Before the 1860s” and “Crossword Construction.” His pioneering effort culminated in a degree that directly fueled his career, leading him to become the esteemed editor of The New York Times Crossword.

The Resurgence of Self-Made Majors

Shortz’s story is not an isolated incident but a precursor to a growing trend in education. The notion of self-made majors, emerging in the 1960s, has seen a resurgence in recent years. Between 2019 and 2021, there was a 3% increase in graduates with individualized studies degrees. The appeal? These degrees are no longer just about niche specializations; they are a strategic response to an evolving job market.

Adaptability is key in an era where full-time jobs give way to gig economies and AI threatens millions of traditional roles. Employers now value individuality and flexibility, skills students believe are best demonstrated through a custom-crafted college degree.

Case Study: Oluwaseyi Onifade

Oluwaseyi Onifade’s story at Rochester Institution of Technology (RIT) illustrates this trend. Struggling to find a degree aligned with his interests in healthcare and biotechnology, Onifade crafted his degree in global health management and healthcare administration. His journey highlights the program’s flexibility but also the need for clarity in one’s career goals.

RIT’s School of Individualized Study (SOIS) typifies this educational shift, with a 45% enrollment increase from 2019 to 2021. The program caters to diverse student needs, ranging from interdisciplinary explorers to those pooling credits for graduation. Essential to this approach are courses like “Individuals and Society” and “Ethics in Leadership,” which equip students with adaptable skills for a changing job market.

The Future of Jobs and Customized Education

The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs report emphasizes the relevance of self-efficacy skills like resilience and agility. Ben Papernick, a seasoned recruiter, confirms this trend, noting a balance between subject expertise and resilience as crucial in the current job market.

However, colleges struggle to keep pace with emerging trends, often lagging behind workforce demands. This gap has led to a decline in the number of students working in industries related to their majors post-graduation. In response, institutions focus on teaching flexibility, a more feasible approach than overhauling entire degree programs.

Does It Work?

The success of individualized study programs heavily relies on student initiative and the support of faculty. While these programs offer interdisciplinary courses and leadership training, their effectiveness depends on the student’s goals and the faculty’s commitment to their interests.

Critics, however, point out potential pitfalls. The emphasis on flexibility can lead to an over-reliance on student-faculty relationships, and there’s a risk of faculty bias in course creation. Despite these challenges, many graduates succeed in the job market, leveraging their unique degrees to explore diverse career paths or pursue advanced education.

Adaptability as the New Normal

In today’s rapidly changing world, where job security is increasingly precarious, the ability to pivot is invaluable. Institutions like RIT and NYU are preparing students for this uncertainty. Whether students thrive or flounder in this environment is ultimately up to them. Customized degrees are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but they represent a significant shift in educational paradigms, acknowledging and adapting to the fluidity of the modern job market.

Insights and Concluding Thoughts on Customized College Degrees

The Impact of Customized Degrees on Career Paths

The rise of individualized study programs marks a significant shift in higher education, directly impacting career trajectories. Graduates from these programs often find themselves well-equipped for unique job opportunities that align closely with their personalized studies. For instance, at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, a significant percentage of graduates either proceed to advanced degrees or find their concentration closely linked to their career. Similarly, RIT graduates frequently enter tech and design fields or embark on entrepreneurial ventures, like sustainable chocolate production or textile-making.

The Role of Flexibility in Modern Education

The core principle behind these customized degrees is flexibility, a response to the precarious nature of today’s job market. This approach reflects a broader educational trend towards equipping students with adaptable skills rather than rigid, specialized knowledge. This shift is not just a reaction to the changing job landscape but a proactive measure to prepare students for an unpredictable future.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite the apparent advantages, the path to a customized degree is not without its challenges. The lack of a traditional academic track requires students to be more proactive and reliant on their relationships with faculty. This dependency can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in educational quality and may inadvertently foster an environment where faculty biases influence course content. This aspect requires careful consideration and oversight from educational institutions to ensure that the promise of diverse and inclusive learning is genuinely fulfilled.

The Bigger Picture: Education and Job Market Dynamics

The trend towards individualized study programs reflects the larger dynamics at play in the education sector and the job market. As technological advancements and economic shifts continue to reshape the professional landscape, the conventional education system finds itself under pressure to adapt. Colleges and universities are increasingly recognizing the need to offer more dynamic, flexible educational models that can keep pace with these changes.

Final Thoughts

Building your own major proves the evolving nature of education and work. It embodies a proactive approach to learning, where adaptability and personalization are highly important. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this approach may not suit everyone. It demands a high degree of self-motivation, clarity of purpose, and a supportive educational environment.

 

In conclusion, the rise of customized college degrees highlights a significant shift in educational paradigms, driven by the need to prepare students for a world where change is the only constant. While this approach offers numerous benefits, it also presents unique challenges that require careful navigation. Ultimately, the success of such programs hinges on institutions’ ability to provide a balanced, flexible, and inclusive educational experience that aligns with their students’ diverse needs and aspirations.

 

Today, the ability to adapt and reinvent oneself is more than just an academic exercise; it’s a vital skill for navigating the uncertainties of the future job market. As we witness the continued growth and evolution of customized degree programs, it’s clear that they represent not just a trend but a necessary response to the demands of a dynamic and ever-changing world.

Crossword puzzles are a beloved pastime for many people, but what goes into creating a captivating puzzle? Matt Jones, a seasoned crossword creator with nearly three decades of experience, shares his journey and thoughts on crafting engaging puzzles.
A Lifelong Passion
Matt Jones’s fascination with crossword puzzles began in elementary school when he stumbled upon a stack of “Games” magazines left by a teacher in a classroom. The allure of these puzzles never waned, and as a teenager, he decided to try his hand at crafting them for submission to various publications.
“I didn’t think I had a chance,” Jones admits. “I was 15 at the time, probably… and I didn’t know if my quality level was right there just yet.” However, after a few attempts, his puzzle was published in The New York Times when he was a mere 19 years old. In those pre-email notification days of the 1990s, Jones received a personalized message from the Times’ renowned puzzle editor, Will Shortz.
Recounting the moment, Jones says, “You get a letter… saying, ‘This is great, congratulations, you’re going to actually be in the paper.’ I think I (still) have that letter somewhere.” Since then, Jones has created and published an impressive 1,163 crosswords.
Jonesin’ and the Alt-Weekly Puzzle Revolution
Jones’s weekly puzzle, aptly named “Jonesin’,” has graced the pages of alternative weeklies nationwide, including Willamette Week, since 2001. Back then, most alt-weeklies featured crosswords similar to those in publications like The New York Times. However, Jones and fellow puzzle writer Matt Gaffney sought to inject a bit of edginess into their puzzles to align with the magazines’ more daring content.
Reflecting on the early days, Jones says, “When we were first going about it, he was like, ‘I want to make this as subversive as possible. It’s going to have R-rated references and, you know, drugs, sex, rock and roll.'” Over time, the puzzles have evolved and mellowed, while still striving to maintain a unique character.
Keeping Clues Fresh and Relevant
Jones remains committed to keeping his crossword clues contemporary by staying in tune with trivia and pop culture trends. However, he acknowledges that he may occasionally slip with references from the ’90s, given his deep-rooted understanding with that era. While he endeavors to absorb the ever-evolving cultural landscape, he humorously concedes that TikTok celebrities might not be his strong suit.
The Recipe for a Memorable Crossword
So, what constitutes a great crossword puzzle, according to Matt Jones? He emphasizes three key elements:
Exciting Clues
The clues must pique the solver’s interest, prompting them to delve deeper into the puzzle.
Fresh Language
The language used in the puzzle should be contemporary and vibrant, ensuring that solvers connect with the clues.
Memorability
A truly outstanding crossword puzzle lingers in the solver’s mind well after it’s been solved. If you find yourself discussing the puzzle for at least 10 minutes after solving it, it’s a sign of a genuinely memorable crossword.
Matt Jones’s dedication to the art of crossword creation continues to captivate solvers across the country, leaving them with puzzles that are as intriguing as they are unforgettable.

Meet Myles Mellor, a true puzzle expert who turned his passion into a thriving crossword business. Born and raised in Oxford, England, Mellor’s journey from creating homemade puzzles for his father to becoming a syndicated crossword creator has been nothing short of remarkable. 

Today, his puzzles are featured in over 600 magazines and newspapers worldwide, captivating puzzle enthusiasts everywhere.

A Puzzle Person with a Purpose

Unlike the average puzzle enthusiast, Mellor’s love for puzzles extends far beyond casual interest. Raised in Oxford, England, Mellor grew up in a household where intellect thrived. With a doctor and a teacher as siblings, his family embodied a wealth of brains. 

After completing his education at Bristol, Mellor relocated to the United States for a career in real estate administration while his family remained in England.

A Journey Sparked by a Memory

Tragically, Mellor’s mother passed away, leaving his father in a state of deep sorrow. Determined to lift his dad’s spirits, Mellor drew upon a cherished childhood memory of attempting to solve the challenging Guardian crossword puzzle together. 

Inspired, he created personalized puzzles to send to his father, resulting in a remarkable transformation in his father’s mood. Encouraged by his dad’s response, Mellor’s homemade puzzles sparked a new idea – publishing his own puzzles.

The Path to Publication

Starting a puzzle business from scratch is not an easy task, and Mellor encountered numerous challenges along the way. Despite the initial setbacks and a lack of response from syndicates and magazines, Mellor persevered, driven by his father’s encouragement. 

Eventually, he connected with puzzle creator David Hoyt at the Orange County Register, who recognized Mellor’s dedication and suggested creating themed puzzles tailored to specific magazine interests. Following Hoyt’s guidance, Mellor made his breakthrough, with his first puzzle published in 2001. 

This breakthrough propelled Mellor’s part-time hobby into a full-time pursuit by 2006. Today, his puzzles are: 

• Syndicated and published in over 600 magazines and newspapers
• Featured in numerous books, and
• Available through his online presence on Amazon

From Hobby to Full-Time Pursuit

With an estimated 16,000 puzzles crafted throughout his career, Mellor continues to astound puzzle enthusiasts with his impressive output. Publishing around 80 crosswords each month, Mellor’s dedication shines through.

Creating a single puzzle can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, requiring meticulous attention to detail. However, Mellor’s hard work has paid off, allowing him to enjoy a fulfilling and financially rewarding career alongside his supportive wife, Debby.

A Master of Themed Puzzles

Mellor’s passion lies in crafting themed puzzles, infusing the clues and answers with the content of the publication itself. From personalized puzzles for engaged couples, families, and businesses to sudokus, cryptograms, and word searches, Mellor’s creativity knows no bounds.

While he humbly admits to being better at puzzle creation than solving it, his humble nature adds to his charm. Mellor’s puzzles can be found in various formats, from novelty books to national newspapers, both in print and online.

A Rewarding Career

Unrelenting in his pursuit of puzzle excellence, Mellor recently founded National Crossword Solved Day, an annual celebration taking place on December 8th. With his undeniable impact on the world of crosswords, Mellor stands as a testament to the passion and dedication required to turn a hobby into a successful career.

Myles Mellor’s remarkable journey from crafting homemade puzzles for his father to becoming a syndicated crossword powerhouse is a testament to his passion and talent. His dedication to his craft has earned him recognition and success, allowing him to turn his love for puzzles into a fulfilling career. 

As he continues to create puzzles that captivate and inspire, puzzle enthusiasts can look forward to experiencing Mellor’s ingenious creations across various platforms, reaffirming his status as one of the best puzzle creators in the world. With each new puzzle, Myles Mellor invites us to engage our minds, embrace the joy of solving, and celebrate the love for puzzles.

Crossword Puzzles

A crossword is a puzzle with overlapping answer words. Hence the name Cross Words, they cross each other horizontally and vertically.
The first published crossword puzzle was created by a British-born Journalist called Arthur Wynne on  Dec 21, 1913 and it was published on the Sunday Newspaper New York World. The first puzzle had a diamond shape. Wynne is the credited as the inventor of the popular word game.

The puzzle it’s made by a Constructor and solved by a Solver both of these people are called Cruciverbalists. Each answer has it’s own distinct Clue.

The Grid

The grid is a combination of Columns, Rows and Black Squares.

Now, the grid is usually square like this:

but that is not always the case.

Black Squares

Now back to Black Squares

They can be arranged in fingers of two or more, that are perpendicular to and touching the perimeter of the Grid.

They can also be arranged as UTAHs

“L“-s

Black Squares that don’t divide a row or column like so:

are called cheater squares.

Grid Symmetry

Grid symetry refers to the convention that black boxes be arranged in a symmetrical pattern in the grid. The most common arrangement is 180 Degree rotational symmetry

so the grid would look just the same, if you turned it upside down.

Mirror Symmetry

Mirror symmetry refers to an arrangement of black boxes that is symmetrical across the middle column.

 

Minion Puzzles

Also called Entry.

Get filled in answer Slots also known as Words. If you add up all the answer words, both down and across, you will get the total word count of the crossword.

A clarification must be made however. Even if a slot contains an answer, that itself is made up by multiple words, that answer slow still only counts as one word in the crossword’s word count .

The point where two crosswords intersect is called a crossing.A crossing where most folks are unlikely to know any of the intersecting answers, is called a Bad Crossing.

A bad crossing is also called a Natick.

Unchecked Box

If a box only appears in one answer is called an Unchecked Box

Crossword Theme

Most crosswords tend to have a theme. That is an Idea, Motif or Gimmick, that some of the answers have in common. Answers that are part of the theme are called theme answers or just Themers.
Sometimes one of the theme answers explicitly describes what the theme is, thats called a Revealer.

Rebus

A theme that asks you to write multiple letters in one box is called a Rebus.

 

Fills

Answers in a themed puzzle that aren’t part of of the theme are called a Fill. Fill answers that very few people actually know or heard of are called Bad Fills.  Examples of bad fills include partial phrases like “ONME” (on me) and crosswordese “ECARD” (e-card).
Crosswordese refers to answer words that tend to show up a lot in crossword answers but rarely get used in daily life.

Dublicates or Dupes

Occur when two answers contain the same word or variations of the same word.

Crosswords that don’t include a theme are called Themeless Crosswords or simply Freestyle Crosswords

Delving into a crossword puzzle takes you on a captivating journey, unveiling intriguing revelations about the intricate workings of the human mind. From the satisfaction of finding an elusive answer to the power of intuition, crossword puzzles offer a unique window into cognition.
Read this article until the end to learn more about the different mental processes involved in crossword puzzle solving and the ways they help us understand our mysterious subconscious mind.

The Mysterious Process of Crossword Solving
The human mind is a complex web of preconscious processes, and crossword solving is no exception. Raymond Nickerson, a psychologist at Tufts University, takes a close look at the role of intuition in tackling crosswords. Often, the preconscious mind supplies answers instantaneously, producing those gratifying moments of clarity.
However, when intuition fails, a more systematic approach may be necessary. Considering potential solutions one by one or listing synonyms, related to the clue, can help unravel the puzzle.
Surprisingly, even if the list seems absurd at first, it may reflect the preconscious mind’s step-by-step problem-solving process. Peter Farvolden’s work in the 1990s demonstrated this phenomenon, suggesting that the mind approaches problems in incremental stages.

The Power of Incubation
When deductions fail, a period of incubation can work wonders! Studies confirm that taking a break from a clue and allowing the mind to engage in other activities can lead to the much-anticipated “aha” moment. However, it’s essential to stay partially engaged.
Engaging in tasks like drawing or reading, which involve verbal elements, tends to enhance the effectiveness of incubation periods.

The Multisensory Nature of Word Retrieval
The mechanics of how the mind retrieves words to answer a clue remain somewhat elusive. As written language is a recent development (compared to the spoken word), researchers suspect that sounds play a significant role. For instance, when presented with word fragments ending in specific sounds, individuals often find it easier to generate words that follow common patterns of stress and pronunciation. Saying the clue or guesses out loud can potentially aid word retrieval.
Decoding the “Feeling of Knowing”
During crossword solving, individuals often experience a strong sense of whether they know the answer or not. Remarkably, these intuitions are often accurate. In tasks involving word associations, subjects reliably predict which words they can and cannot answer. In crosswords, this “feeling of knowing” guides decision-making.
If confident about knowing the answer, individuals invest more time in finding it. Conversely, if certain about not knowing, attention shifts to intersecting words instead.

The Tip of the Tongue Phenomenon:
Psychologists differentiate between the “feeling of knowing” and the more frustrating “tip of the tongue” state. The latter represents the belief that an answer is imminent rather than just eventual. Unfortunately, it often proves false, as the answer remains elusive.
One theory suggests that an initial wrong guess can hinder finding the correct solution, creating a mental blockage in word retrieval.

The Cryptic Puzzle Challenge
Cryptic crosswords pose unique cognitive challenges that can have unexpected effects on the mind. Research by Michael Lewis at Cardiff University revealed that engaging with cryptic clues significantly impairs face recognition, even more so than tasks like Sudoku puzzles or reading a book.
The involvement of suppression

Breaking down linguistic units and Searching for wordplay and hidden meanings in cryptic crosswords
These three factors above seem to hinder the brain’s ability to perceive faces as a whole. This phenomenon suggests an intriguing overlap in processing across different cognitive tasks.
Crossword puzzles serve as valuable tools for studying various aspects of cognition. From intuition and word retrieval to problem-solving and face recognition, the human mind’s intricate puzzle finds parallels in the challenges posed by crosswords.
Psychologists could further explore the potential of crosswords as a tool for studying cognition. As we unravel the mysteries of the human mind, crossword puzzles continue to challenge and enlighten puzzle enthusiasts worldwide.