Aries Cryptic #15

Back with another block cryptic this week. 19-Across was the seed entry, which was a unanimous hit with the test solvers. Hope you enjoy!

Aries Cryptic #15 - PUZ

Aries Cryptic #15 - PDF

Aries Cryptic #15 - PDF (Grayscale)

Aries Cryptic #15 - Solution

Intro to Cryptics - PDF

Aries Throwback - "On Cloud Nine"

Going back to 2015 for this month's Throwback. This puzzle is a medium-difficulty puzzle titled "On Cloud Nine." There was some light editing of the grid and substantial editing of the clues, including most of the theme clues. One thing I'm noticing is how my cluing style has evolved over the years - back in 2015, I was more willing to use wordier clues. These days, brevity is much more important to me. Hope you enjoy!

-Andrew

Aries Throwback - "On Cloud Nine" - PUZ

Aries Throwback - "On Cloud Nine" - PDF

Aries Throwback - "On Cloud Nine" - PDF (Grayscale)

Aries Throwback - "On Cloud Nine - Solution

June FREEstyle

Thanks for all the comments about last week's Twists & Turns! This week I'm back with a freestyle, which is a 68-word, 32-block puzzle. I've been playing around with staggered 13s recently, and this layout saves on the black square count with the two 15-letter downs that cut through the center stack at 3- and 11-Down. This puzzle played relatively easyish for the testers - how did it treat you?

Happy solving!

June FREEstyle - PUZ

June FREEstyle - PDF

June FREEstyle - Grayscale PDF

June FREEstyle - Solution

Twists & Turns #1

I'm excited to debut a brand new variety puzzle format called Twists & Turns! I've worked hard to develop this format over the past few months and now it's time for solvers to take a crack at it.

The directions for Twists & Turns are included in the PDF below. For the maiden puzzle, I'm only offering one difficulty version, with the Twists listed in grid order, though if I write more of these, I do intend on also offering a "Harder" version that lists the Twists alphabetically (similar to a Harder Rows Garden listing the blooms alphabetically). I want solvers to get the hang of the format first, however, so this first puzzle lists the Twists in grid order.

Because this is the first ever T&T, I'd really appreciate solver feedback on this one! If you liked it, or if you didn't, I'd very much like to hear from as many solvers as possible. I really enjoyed writing this first puzzle, and I have some ideas for further exploration of this format, but you the solver are the ultimate judge, and your feedback will be extremely helpful as I consider the future of Twists & Turns. Don't hesitate to leave a comment below, or you can always send me an email too.

Happy solving!

Twists & Turns #1 - PDF

Twists & Turns #1 - Solution