I’m a physician, piano player, voracious reader, lap swimmer, animal lover, crossword puzzler, movie buff, student of baseball, and a lifelong resident of the Northeast.  I drink my coffee with milk and my gin gimlets straight up and ice-cold.

For many years, my travels in the “crossworld” entailed solving only. About two years ago, on a whim, I decided it would be fun to learn how to construct. I took a course, offered by Atlas Obscura, with Brooke Husic and Natan Last (both of whom are wildly talented constructors/editors), downloaded some software and started fumbling/noodling around. While I’ve had some modest success – with puzzles appearing in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Universal, and at the most recent Boswords Spring Themeless League – I still place myself on the very steep portion of the learning curve. I’m truly awed by how many prolific, creative constructors there are out there, both with respect to themes and clueing. I’m indebted to Jeff Chen and John Lieb, both of whom provided early encouragement. And I’m honored to have collaborated with each of them on a published puzzle: with Jeff in the NY Times (29 May 2024) and with John in the LA Times (23 November 2024).

More recently, I’ve started learning how to construct various variety puzzles. I’ve foisted a few of these on some friends and colleagues, then thought it might be fun to put them on a website for others to discover. Huge thanks to Alex Boisvert, whose Crossword Nexus website offers, among many other things, tools for constructing snake charmers, spirals, acrostics, and rows gardens. I had many questions as I tried the tools out, and Alex graciously answered each one.

To reiterate, I’m still learning. None of my puzzles are perfect, if there is such a thing as a perfect puzzle. If you have comments to make on anything I’ve posted, please be kind. And constructive criticism is absolutely welcome.

[If you’re interested, check out my other blog; I haven’t posted there in a while. Since its theme is beauty, and since the world often feels a bit uglier every week, it’s probably time I resume doing so.]