Lil AVCX
@lilavcx.bsky.social
Midi crosswords every Sunday night and some Mondays. Mentorship for emerging constructors and editors.
https://avxwords.com/sample-puzzles/
https://avxwords.com/sample-puzzles/
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Lil AVCX
@lilavcx.bsky.social
· Dec 16
Lil AVCX is thrilled to announce our 2026 Roster! We are excited to bring you puzzles by these constructors:
Tonight's puzzle is an 11x10 themed offering from Lil AVCX editor Matthew Luter entitled "Mandatory Fun". Enjoy it! That's an order.
![Crossword puzzle with 13-Across highlighted: [BBC quiz show that borrows its title from E.M. Forster's "Howards End"] (11 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreibt6dbb367aadsxe4k3upyvapc3qpn47d32bl2gzay4mz5wkymufy@jpeg)
February 16, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Tonight's puzzle is an 11x10 themed offering from Lil AVCX editor Matthew Luter entitled "Mandatory Fun". Enjoy it! That's an order.
Today we're bringing you an 11x11 midi by guest constructor Benjamin Panico. This lightly-themed puzzle is titled, "Mapped Out." We think you'll enjoy the mild challenge of figuring out where you're headed.
![Crossword puzzle with 12-Across highlighted: [Adopt, as a new hobby (maybe crossword construction?!)] (6 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreihhw3hag5abdyamet6wbg4gdkmaqt4bsawmvtklq6vtj44d5wb6bq@jpeg)
February 10, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Today we're bringing you an 11x11 midi by guest constructor Benjamin Panico. This lightly-themed puzzle is titled, "Mapped Out." We think you'll enjoy the mild challenge of figuring out where you're headed.
We're excited to bring you an 11x11 themeless by Lil AVCX editor Amie Walker (Amie Walker), "Once Bitten and Twice Shy." Amie never ceases to astound us with her ability to pack puzzles with pop culture, current trends, and silly jokes, while making us feel like we're on her wavelength.
![Crossword puzzle with 30-Across highlighted: [Space station-splaining quote by Obi-Wan] (11 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreiafdwbaokrbmc6v4bl3uitjl74iskzdgx2gyxqn56wk3gowzvbu34@jpeg)
February 9, 2026 at 1:30 AM
We're excited to bring you an 11x11 themeless by Lil AVCX editor Amie Walker (Amie Walker), "Once Bitten and Twice Shy." Amie never ceases to astound us with her ability to pack puzzles with pop culture, current trends, and silly jokes, while making us feel like we're on her wavelength.
Peeking its head out of its den, we've got a 15x10 themed puzzle for you. It's from Lil AVCX editor Jess Rucks (Jess Rucks) titled, "It's Groundhog Day, Again!" This is a moderately challenging puzzle with a special twist for a special day. We highly recommend printing this one.
![Crossword puzzle with 7-Down highlighted: [Sweet child o' mine] (3 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreiavp7zqhopofo5ixv4q5wnfqaobd367aqamh3jkdfeoimf764c77q@jpeg)
February 2, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Peeking its head out of its den, we've got a 15x10 themed puzzle for you. It's from Lil AVCX editor Jess Rucks (Jess Rucks) titled, "It's Groundhog Day, Again!" This is a moderately challenging puzzle with a special twist for a special day. We highly recommend printing this one.
We have a great guest puzzle for you today from Lil AVCX, a 9x9 themeless midi by Kelly Morenus (Kelly Morenus) titled "Winter Delights." As one test solver put it, this puzzle's vibes are "sparkly, like freshly fallen snow."
![Crossword clue with 27-Across highlighted: [Brontë heroine who, IMO, overlooked the reddest of red flags by marrying a man who locked his first wife in the attic] (4 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreifmxvas5c4sopbdtzzhxtsjp6u5vmimx4hs7lggw3yxyktwdynrpq@jpeg)
January 27, 2026 at 1:30 AM
We have a great guest puzzle for you today from Lil AVCX, a 9x9 themeless midi by Kelly Morenus (Kelly Morenus) titled "Winter Delights." As one test solver put it, this puzzle's vibes are "sparkly, like freshly fallen snow."
Buckle up! Today, we bring you a 9x16 themed puzzle by Kareem Ayas titled, "This Puzzle Revolves Around You." We think you'll find it a topsy-turvy good time, with plenty of fresh clues to make for a sophisticated and slightly strenuous solve.
January 26, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Buckle up! Today, we bring you a 9x16 themed puzzle by Kareem Ayas titled, "This Puzzle Revolves Around You." We think you'll find it a topsy-turvy good time, with plenty of fresh clues to make for a sophisticated and slightly strenuous solve.
Today we're bringing you a 9x9 brainteaser from leadership team member Will Eisenberg (Will). It's called "Never, EVER Split the Party." You'll need to put on your thinking cap for this themeless puzzle, but it will be so satisfying when you are ultimately successful.
![Crossword puzzle with 8-Down highlighted: [City mentioned on Sufjan Stevens' "Michigan"] (9 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreieeyv6h6kde7o32qvjty7jjl7ofhstam5dnrcuh3z26lqkgvxkc7e@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Today we're bringing you a 9x9 brainteaser from leadership team member Will Eisenberg (Will). It's called "Never, EVER Split the Party." You'll need to put on your thinking cap for this themeless puzzle, but it will be so satisfying when you are ultimately successful.
Here's the scoop: we've got here for you today an 11x11 themed puzzle from leadership team member Sally Hoelscher (Sally Hoelscher ) titled, "We All Scream." It should be a cool and smooth solve, with some witty clues serving as the cherry on top.
![Crossword puzzle with 5-Across highlighted: [Put a PIN in it!] (3 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreiaib6hb3nxlfbo6d7xxwjohyop5zjtjaoxgeashmbfdg64uyi2wha@jpeg)
January 13, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Here's the scoop: we've got here for you today an 11x11 themed puzzle from leadership team member Sally Hoelscher (Sally Hoelscher ) titled, "We All Scream." It should be a cool and smooth solve, with some witty clues serving as the cherry on top.
We hope you are ready for a year of amazing puzzles! For our second Lil AVCX installment, we have a 10x13 themed brain-tickler by Michael Berg titled "Empty Words." It's chock-full of clever clues, fresh entries and a unique and approachable theme — that's no empty promise!
![Crossword puzzle with 1-Down highlighted: ["My brain ___ left the chat"] (3 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreidm5juhtqvoc26bmaph6mvcg2yhbbyreqlna3nfpaljyxefmqwhpm@jpeg)
January 12, 2026 at 1:30 AM
We hope you are ready for a year of amazing puzzles! For our second Lil AVCX installment, we have a 10x13 themed brain-tickler by Michael Berg titled "Empty Words." It's chock-full of clever clues, fresh entries and a unique and approachable theme — that's no empty promise!
We're excited to bring you the first Lil puzzle of 2026! It's a 12x11 offering called "Sweet!" from leadership team member Olivia Mitra Framke (@livienna.bsky.social). We think this tasty offering chock-full of Olivia's signature fun clues will start your new year off right.
![Crossword puzzle with 28-Down highlighted: [Head of a music publication's staff?] (four letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreicendive5ltfu66h6qhbxicbhyhvowe5cnokkbwevyjbpfdf5zp3q@jpeg)
January 5, 2026 at 1:35 AM
We're excited to bring you the first Lil puzzle of 2026! It's a 12x11 offering called "Sweet!" from leadership team member Olivia Mitra Framke (@livienna.bsky.social). We think this tasty offering chock-full of Olivia's signature fun clues will start your new year off right.
We're excited to bring you the last Lil puzzle of 2025! It's a 16x9 themeless offering from roster member Alisya Reza (@alisyareza.bsky.social) titled "and furthermore…." We think it will get you reflecting on this year and anticipating the next one!
![Crossword puzzle with 30-Across highlighted: ["Gossip? Oh you mean trickle down ___onomics" (@awejones post on X)] (three letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreib5wc5tbc2hjpvm74fzf46ozvt4bg5xppcxvlvif7kgpwrx4dxziu@jpeg)
December 30, 2025 at 1:30 AM
We're excited to bring you the last Lil puzzle of 2025! It's a 16x9 themeless offering from roster member Alisya Reza (@alisyareza.bsky.social) titled "and furthermore…." We think it will get you reflecting on this year and anticipating the next one!
Welcome to the penultimate Lil AVCX puzzle of 2025! What a year it has been. Today's puzzle is an 11x11 called "Front Company," our sixth installment from UK-based roster member Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social.)
![Crossword puzzle with 12-Across highlighted: [Special key that lets you skip to the front of the line?] (four letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreicajhq37hsxgfykm3njitz65brzi7mua4zbxbmejlzc6yph6zwo2m@jpeg)
December 29, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Welcome to the penultimate Lil AVCX puzzle of 2025! What a year it has been. Today's puzzle is an 11x11 called "Front Company," our sixth installment from UK-based roster member Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social.)
Today marks the final roster puzzle by Carina da Rosa, and there's something special about it. This 9x15 grid is titled, "I Can't See the Author for the Spelling Errors," and it's a meta puzzle. After you fill the grid, solve the puzzle-within-a-puzzle to find the meta answer.
![Crossword puzzle with 34-Across highlighted: [Music that gets you in the moody] (three letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreiem47tmaanbbtavbxuqjo4mjqkxtru44b32ciw6o5s3y7qrk6lnia@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Today marks the final roster puzzle by Carina da Rosa, and there's something special about it. This 9x15 grid is titled, "I Can't See the Author for the Spelling Errors," and it's a meta puzzle. After you fill the grid, solve the puzzle-within-a-puzzle to find the meta answer.
Monday's puzzle is a 12x11 themed midi, titled "Can you just pretend I'm not here?" It's full of trademark Katie Hoody cluing: clever but fair misdirects, quick wit, and a theme that we hope will lead you to a satisfying aha moment.
![Crossword with 35-Down highlighted: [Capacity that might render this clue unnecessary] (three letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreifneskih5kejkkxqtnwz72c5th6jijhs5ehicga6iti77uaobgioq@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Monday's puzzle is a 12x11 themed midi, titled "Can you just pretend I'm not here?" It's full of trademark Katie Hoody cluing: clever but fair misdirects, quick wit, and a theme that we hope will lead you to a satisfying aha moment.
Lil AVCX is thrilled to announce our 2026 Roster! We are excited to bring you puzzles by these constructors:
December 16, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Lil AVCX is thrilled to announce our 2026 Roster! We are excited to bring you puzzles by these constructors:
Tonight's offering is the final roster puzzle from Alex Rossell Hayes (@alxrh.bsky.social). It's a 9x13 titled "Turnabout Is Fair Play." Alex has made so many great puzzles this year. If you haven't solved them all yet, go back and check them out!
![Crossword puzzle with 4 Down highlighted: ["I need the mean, median, and mode, ___!" (demand from an impatient mathematician)] (four letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreihoqh7rg5bb4oavtpw4hmbqefwsnjvbxisav6mukdy4cbjbyic3lq@jpeg)
December 16, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Tonight's offering is the final roster puzzle from Alex Rossell Hayes (@alxrh.bsky.social). It's a 9x13 titled "Turnabout Is Fair Play." Alex has made so many great puzzles this year. If you haven't solved them all yet, go back and check them out!
Today's midi offering is a whimsical treat from roster member K.J. Sarr titled "Meet Cute." We think you'll find this 8x10 puzzle to be a breezy, pastel-painted delight.
![Crossword puzzle with 17 Across highlighted [Like some pink-feathered finches and positive outlooks] (four letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreibeqe52wfahd7ai7kaubs72sujckwljdsxktjcunbakke7hepzu4q@jpeg)
December 15, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Today's midi offering is a whimsical treat from roster member K.J. Sarr titled "Meet Cute." We think you'll find this 8x10 puzzle to be a breezy, pastel-painted delight.
Today's puzzle is an 11x11 offering from roster member Terry Sun entitled "Borderline." We think this one might be a bit tricky to wrap your head around, so put on your thinking caps!
![Crossword puzzle with 35 Across highlighted: [Bulb that produces a bright color] (five letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreicgviumwnwtstnla4mufs4dsg4gpfpymufravyfz3xrtzkplbr4wm@jpeg)
December 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Today's puzzle is an 11x11 offering from roster member Terry Sun entitled "Borderline." We think this one might be a bit tricky to wrap your head around, so put on your thinking caps!
Today's 10x9 midi puzzle comes to you from the great Matthew Gritzmacher. We think you'll find "E-I-E-I-O" a delightful, jolly romp through a meadow.
![Crossword puzzle with 9 Across highlighted: [Unhelpful units of measurement in microbiology] (five letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreihe4sadtp4o4kwyrqe2k2hsgjlrg2bzkckhq3fo7c54bpp2utb4qq@jpeg)
December 2, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Today's 10x9 midi puzzle comes to you from the great Matthew Gritzmacher. We think you'll find "E-I-E-I-O" a delightful, jolly romp through a meadow.
Tonight we're bringing you the latest midi from roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social). It's an 11x11 titled, "Be My Guest." We invite you to enjoy.
![Crossword puzzle with 4 Down highlighted: [Rock band specialist?] (seven letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreierjrydst75l2cuhhcdtnzier7tcsthxsmd6q7qkuur3xjjw7tynu@jpeg)
December 1, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Tonight we're bringing you the latest midi from roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social). It's an 11x11 titled, "Be My Guest." We invite you to enjoy.
Reposted by Lil AVCX
Thanks to all our solvers/supporters for keeping us afloat. We subsist each year mainly from what we make in Nov/Dec, when I guess people are feeling the most crosswordy.
If you subscribe now, or buy a gift sub, you help us a ton. And you get a free meta mini pack! So come on aboard:
Avxwords.com
If you subscribe now, or buy a gift sub, you help us a ton. And you get a free meta mini pack! So come on aboard:
Avxwords.com
AVCX – Crosswords for the (not) faint of heart.
Avxwords.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Thanks to all our solvers/supporters for keeping us afloat. We subsist each year mainly from what we make in Nov/Dec, when I guess people are feeling the most crosswordy.
If you subscribe now, or buy a gift sub, you help us a ton. And you get a free meta mini pack! So come on aboard:
Avxwords.com
If you subscribe now, or buy a gift sub, you help us a ton. And you get a free meta mini pack! So come on aboard:
Avxwords.com
We're thrilled to have a puzzle from guest constructor Chandi Deitmer. It's a 15x9 offering entitled "Grammatical Reparsing" that we think you'll have a blast working through. You can see more of Chandi's work at Slate, Puzzmo, and many other venues.
![Crossword puzzle with 32-Down highlighted: [Brand that uses an ice cream cone as an apostrophe] (4 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreicvxjzzresrs3h7ymumwliuvnr42mz55bc3fvdsu2wb3my3vypuhi@jpeg)
November 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
We're thrilled to have a puzzle from guest constructor Chandi Deitmer. It's a 15x9 offering entitled "Grammatical Reparsing" that we think you'll have a blast working through. You can see more of Chandi's work at Slate, Puzzmo, and many other venues.
Today's puzzle is an 11x11 by roster member Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social), titled "A Lot to Unpack." In this fun, breezy puzzle, Ben once again wows us with his ability to connect an amazing number of unrelated entries together through clever cluing angles.
![Crossword puzzle with 3-Down highlighted: [New parents in Scotland receive a basic one for free, along with clothes and other supplies] (4 letters)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:4yky6m7w7bd4kinepwyqjg5v/bafkreifklv7jptdzurt5c344jvvhcqz7n2j5rt3xioa4ic72szekflidxy@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Today's puzzle is an 11x11 by roster member Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social), titled "A Lot to Unpack." In this fun, breezy puzzle, Ben once again wows us with his ability to connect an amazing number of unrelated entries together through clever cluing angles.
Reposted by Lil AVCX
Here’s the deal! Subscribe, renew, or buy a gift subscription from avxwords.com from now thru the end of the year, and get a new meta mini pack, free.
After subscribing, send a blank email to freeminis@avxwords.com with “mini meta” in the subject line, and we’ll send you the pack. Honor system!
After subscribing, send a blank email to freeminis@avxwords.com with “mini meta” in the subject line, and we’ll send you the pack. Honor system!
November 23, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Here’s the deal! Subscribe, renew, or buy a gift subscription from avxwords.com from now thru the end of the year, and get a new meta mini pack, free.
After subscribing, send a blank email to freeminis@avxwords.com with “mini meta” in the subject line, and we’ll send you the pack. Honor system!
After subscribing, send a blank email to freeminis@avxwords.com with “mini meta” in the subject line, and we’ll send you the pack. Honor system!
Will, Olivia, and Sally have been hard at work reviewing roster applications!
It's a pleasure, and a privilege, to see all the creativity and enthusiasm for puzzles on display.
It's a pleasure, and a privilege, to see all the creativity and enthusiasm for puzzles on display.
November 22, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Will, Olivia, and Sally have been hard at work reviewing roster applications!
It's a pleasure, and a privilege, to see all the creativity and enthusiasm for puzzles on display.
It's a pleasure, and a privilege, to see all the creativity and enthusiasm for puzzles on display.