This crossword marks my debut at Universal Crosswords and is available at their syndicate sites for 11 days after publication (Sept. 28, 2023), via the grid icon on the app. After that, you can find a copy of the .PUZ file on this website under the publication date.

You may notice the title of this post is different from the published version. It comes from an earlier version of this puzzle, which was my first submission to, and rejection from, the New York Times. You can solve the original puzzle using the links below. If you are a fellow amateur constructor, or just curious about the crossword publication process, I created a write-up of my experience at b.link/BrodyPuzPub.

PDF

PUZ

Solve Online (my solver)

This puzzle is a tribute to the best-selling British author, Sir Terry Pratchett, whose imagination and humo(u)r delighted millions of readers worldwide. In 2007, Pratchett was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, and he passed away in 2015. His 75th birthday would have been on April 28th.

I hope this puzzle, like his books, proves enjoyable and entertaining, while offering a fresh perspective on the familiar. If you're already well-acquainted with Pratchett's worlds, or are brave enough to leap in without a net, I encourage you to try the fan version!

Many thanks to family and friends who tested the puzzle and offered valuable feedback, and to AVCX for agreeing to publish this puzzle. A very special thanks to Ben Tausig, who was incredibly kind and accomodating, and made the puzzle much better than it would otherwise have been.

PDF (Not-Yet-Fan Version)

PDF (Fan Version)

Solve Online (both versions)

My second full cryptic, slightly harder than the "Alternative Cryptic" below. Is there a theme? You decide.

Thanks again to the testers who caught several errors.

PDF

PUZ

Solve Online (my solver)

Solve Online (Crossshare)

This crossword is my first attempt at a full cryptic. Many thanks to the folks who agreed to test it out and offered feedback.

Nine entries in this puzzle use a twist on the "double definition" clue scheme. This alternate scheme is introduced in the first such entry: 1A. If you're having trouble with that entry, or things are still unclear, you can reveal the explanation by clicking the hint tab below. (Don't worry, it won't spoil anything in the puzzle!)

PDF

PUZ

Solve Online (my solver)

Solve Online (Crossshare)

Hint (click to reveal)

This (non-cryptic) puzzle pokes fun at a certain politician. If you find it offensive or disagreeable, please skip it and try one of the many better puzzles out there.

No hate mail please. Thank you.

PDF

PUZ

Solve Online (my solver)

I'm developing the online solver as a pet project. It is written entirely in HTML/CSS/JavaScript, and is completely serverless/client-side (no information you load or type in is transfered). Besides offering puzzles from the website, it can be used to load and solve .PUZ files from your computer.

The solver is still a work in progress. It is missing many features, and may be buggy. It is offered as-is, with no guarantees. If you encounter bugs or have other feedback, feel free to reach out via the email address below.

I can be reached at sdbrody [at] gmail [dot] com.