Sara Goodchild
@sarathegood.bsky.social
Science, editing, cryptic crosswords!
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
puzzle constructors, please update your wordlists accordingly
November 14, 2025 at 5:07 AM
puzzle constructors, please update your wordlists accordingly
Always love @francisheaney.bsky.social's difficulty ratings! I've got this week's AVCX cryptic -- free to subscribers, or buy for $1! Big thanks for the expert editing, @naytnaytnayt.bsky.social, such a pleasure to work with you. avxwords.com/buy-individu...
November 14, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Always love @francisheaney.bsky.social's difficulty ratings! I've got this week's AVCX cryptic -- free to subscribers, or buy for $1! Big thanks for the expert editing, @naytnaytnayt.bsky.social, such a pleasure to work with you. avxwords.com/buy-individu...
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
Favorite new reaction image
November 14, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Favorite new reaction image
Excellent post on calibrating difficulty in cryptic crosswords! To these I would add 1) if you can, put your puzzle away for a week and then solve to better see it from the perspective of a solver; and 2) ask someone else to test-solve for you and report on difficulty especially.
I wrote a blog post for @mycrossword.co.uk about how setters can identify and calibrate how difficult (or otherwise) their own puzzles are:
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/the-dif...
If you’re a setter, an aspiring setter or just curious as to how these things work - give it 4 minutes of your time! 😊
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/the-dif...
If you’re a setter, an aspiring setter or just curious as to how these things work - give it 4 minutes of your time! 😊
The Difficulty Dial · MyCrossword
As a cryptic crossword setter you don't always know exactly how difficult or otherwise your own puzzle is - they're all easy when you know the answers! And e...
www.mycrossword.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Excellent post on calibrating difficulty in cryptic crosswords! To these I would add 1) if you can, put your puzzle away for a week and then solve to better see it from the perspective of a solver; and 2) ask someone else to test-solve for you and report on difficulty especially.
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
the legend lived
[Beastie Boys] ON
from the chippewa on
[Beastie Boys] DOWN
[Beastie Boys] ON
from the chippewa on
[Beastie Boys] DOWN
November 10, 2025 at 6:31 PM
the legend lived
[Beastie Boys] ON
from the chippewa on
[Beastie Boys] DOWN
[Beastie Boys] ON
from the chippewa on
[Beastie Boys] DOWN
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
November 8, 2025 at 12:42 AM
A plea for help. 🙏
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
One of the lead playtesters of Blue Prince, Iggy, has polycystic kidney disease and has only a few months to find a living kidney donor.
His story, contact and donor information can all be found on
iggyland.org
Please help us in sharing his story and getting the word out.💙
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
With 🇺🇸 Thanksgiving being 3 weeks away and SNAP being a shit show—but with some retailers and nonprofits offering turkeys for low or no cost—I'd love to get my free cookbook #AfterTheFeast to as many folks as possible.
Would you kindly share it here and elsewhere? 🙏 ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
Would you kindly share it here and elsewhere? 🙏 ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
After the Feast: A Turkey Leftovers Cookbooklet - Iva Cheung
After a couple decades of editing and indexing cookbooks, I took a stab at writing (a small!) one. After the Feast brings together 25-ish of my favourite ways to use up the leftovers from big turkey d...
ivacheung.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:58 AM
With 🇺🇸 Thanksgiving being 3 weeks away and SNAP being a shit show—but with some retailers and nonprofits offering turkeys for low or no cost—I'd love to get my free cookbook #AfterTheFeast to as many folks as possible.
Would you kindly share it here and elsewhere? 🙏 ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
Would you kindly share it here and elsewhere? 🙏 ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
It's a good time to support the good people of AVCX Cryptics, as well as the good people of AVCX in general.
AVCX Cryptics continues to help keep the form alive for Americans, and periodically runs mini cryptics, which make the form accessible to new solvers, and also enable the editors to mentor newer constructors, as cryptic editing is labor-intensive. They published a 15-year-old constructor this year!
October 28, 2025 at 7:06 PM
It's a good time to support the good people of AVCX Cryptics, as well as the good people of AVCX in general.
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
AVCX, the world’s finest puzzles and games service, and an independent media venture, has done some really cool stuff this year! A thread to brag (and to hype our mini subscription drive) …
October 28, 2025 at 12:18 PM
AVCX, the world’s finest puzzles and games service, and an independent media venture, has done some really cool stuff this year! A thread to brag (and to hype our mini subscription drive) …
My fifth Hallowe'en special for the Browser is up! If the tone is melancholy, it's because the Browser cryptic crossword is ending as of December. Huge thanks to Uri and Dan for providing such a fabulous venue for North American cryptics, helping so many of us get our start and practice our chops.
October 26, 2025 at 2:31 PM
My fifth Hallowe'en special for the Browser is up! If the tone is melancholy, it's because the Browser cryptic crossword is ending as of December. Huge thanks to Uri and Dan for providing such a fabulous venue for North American cryptics, helping so many of us get our start and practice our chops.
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
Crossword's conclusion leaves spirit low (3)
@danfeyer.bsky.social at The Browser Crossword was the first editor to take a chance on me as a beginning cryptic setter, so I thought I'd make a little tribute puzzle on the blog.
I hope it brightens your day!
squarepursuit.com/2025/10/22/s...
@danfeyer.bsky.social at The Browser Crossword was the first editor to take a chance on me as a beginning cryptic setter, so I thought I'd make a little tribute puzzle on the blog.
I hope it brightens your day!
squarepursuit.com/2025/10/22/s...
So Long, and Thanks for All the Cryptics
Hello, cryptic lovers! I don’t do a lot of full-sized puzzles over here these days, but I can think of no better way to pay tribute to The Browser Crossword and its editor extraordinaire Dan Feyer,…
squarepursuit.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Crossword's conclusion leaves spirit low (3)
@danfeyer.bsky.social at The Browser Crossword was the first editor to take a chance on me as a beginning cryptic setter, so I thought I'd make a little tribute puzzle on the blog.
I hope it brightens your day!
squarepursuit.com/2025/10/22/s...
@danfeyer.bsky.social at The Browser Crossword was the first editor to take a chance on me as a beginning cryptic setter, so I thought I'd make a little tribute puzzle on the blog.
I hope it brightens your day!
squarepursuit.com/2025/10/22/s...
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
Lil AVCX is looking for new and emerging constructors to be a part of our 2026 constructing roster. Deadline for applications is November 14, 2025. Here's the information: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Lil AVCX: Call for applications for our 2026 constructor roster
Lil AVCX: Call for applications for our 2026 constructor roster We’re looking for new and emerging crossword puzzle constructors to regularly contribute “midi” puzzles. Yes, you’ll get paid, and you ...
docs.google.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Lil AVCX is looking for new and emerging constructors to be a part of our 2026 constructing roster. Deadline for applications is November 14, 2025. Here's the information: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I've got a witchy puzzle for spooky season in the WSJ this weekend! Circular grids are scaaaaaaaary stuff, kids... Free to download here: prod-i.a.dj.com/public/resou...
October 19, 2025 at 2:53 AM
I've got a witchy puzzle for spooky season in the WSJ this weekend! Circular grids are scaaaaaaaary stuff, kids... Free to download here: prod-i.a.dj.com/public/resou...
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
hey canadian friends you can tell the govt what you think about AI (🚮)! survey closes at the end of the month. it's a tad long but worth it. #CanPoli
ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en...
ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en...
Help define the next chapter of Canada's AI leadership
Current status: Open from October 1 to October 31, 2025
Canada helped invent modern AI. To stay a leader—and protect our digital sovereignty—we're running a 30-day national sprint to shape a renew...
ised-isde.canada.ca
October 10, 2025 at 9:40 PM
hey canadian friends you can tell the govt what you think about AI (🚮)! survey closes at the end of the month. it's a tad long but worth it. #CanPoli
ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en...
ised-isde.canada.ca/site/ised/en...
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
I made a li'l cookbook! *After the Feast* suggests ways to use up leftovers from your big turkey dinners.
The PDF is FREE. If you buy a print copy, $2 will support food security initiatives through the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre.
Please spread the word! 🍗
ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
The PDF is FREE. If you buy a print copy, $2 will support food security initiatives through the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre.
Please spread the word! 🍗
ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
After the Feast: A Turkey Leftovers Cookbooklet - Iva Cheung
After a couple decades of editing and indexing cookbooks, I took a stab at writing (a small!) one. After the Feast brings together 25-ish of my favourite ways to use up the leftovers from big turkey d...
ivacheung.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I made a li'l cookbook! *After the Feast* suggests ways to use up leftovers from your big turkey dinners.
The PDF is FREE. If you buy a print copy, $2 will support food security initiatives through the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre.
Please spread the word! 🍗
ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
The PDF is FREE. If you buy a print copy, $2 will support food security initiatives through the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre.
Please spread the word! 🍗
ivacheung.com/2025/09/afte...
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
I knew the first half of this story— that Gary Larsen’s cartoon joking Dr. Goodall was sleeping with chimpanzees caused her Institute to lawyer up only for her to find the comic super amusing upon her return from the field— but I’d never heard Larsen got attacked by a chimpanzee!
October 2, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I knew the first half of this story— that Gary Larsen’s cartoon joking Dr. Goodall was sleeping with chimpanzees caused her Institute to lawyer up only for her to find the comic super amusing upon her return from the field— but I’d never heard Larsen got attacked by a chimpanzee!
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
First full issue of The Gnomon is live now, with five puzzles from @longyfan.bsky.social , @bewilderingly.bsky.social, and @juffowup.bsky.social , and from guest editors @joeadultman.bsky.social and Skaldskaparmal.
www.gnomoncryptics.com
www.gnomoncryptics.com
The Gnomon
Variety cryptic crosswords
www.gnomoncryptics.com
June 1, 2025 at 12:28 PM
First full issue of The Gnomon is live now, with five puzzles from @longyfan.bsky.social , @bewilderingly.bsky.social, and @juffowup.bsky.social , and from guest editors @joeadultman.bsky.social and Skaldskaparmal.
www.gnomoncryptics.com
www.gnomoncryptics.com
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
Only three days left to support These Puzzles Fund Abortion, a labor of love that has raised over $300,000 for abortion access since 2020. Please chip in to help us meet our goal of $35,000 for this year — we are only $1000 away!
fund.nnaf.org/campaign/the...
fund.nnaf.org/campaign/the...
✨Editor Spotlight✨
@fabioethics.bsky.social (she/her) is a crossword constructor & a professor of bioethics. She created TPFA as a form of praxis, transforming her scholarly interest in reproductive justice into practice through fundraising for abortion access.
Three days left!
Fund.nnaf.org/tpfa
@fabioethics.bsky.social (she/her) is a crossword constructor & a professor of bioethics. She created TPFA as a form of praxis, transforming her scholarly interest in reproductive justice into practice through fundraising for abortion access.
Three days left!
Fund.nnaf.org/tpfa
May 29, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Only three days left to support These Puzzles Fund Abortion, a labor of love that has raised over $300,000 for abortion access since 2020. Please chip in to help us meet our goal of $35,000 for this year — we are only $1000 away!
fund.nnaf.org/campaign/the...
fund.nnaf.org/campaign/the...
This was a great read!
I've put together a sometimes opinionated list of tips for setting cryptic crosswords. Hopefully it's useful. I certainly found it useful to try to put some of my setting instincts into words. charliemethven.com/tips
Charlie Methven - Tips for setting cryptics
charliemethven.com
May 10, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This was a great read!
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
Want to hear a cool story about reproductive justice, mutual aid, and crossword puzzles?
Let me tell you about These Puzzles Fund Abortion (www.abortionpuzzles.com / @tpfa.bsky.social), a crossword puzzle fundraiser that has raised over $350,000 in five years for abortion funds.
1/9
Let me tell you about These Puzzles Fund Abortion (www.abortionpuzzles.com / @tpfa.bsky.social), a crossword puzzle fundraiser that has raised over $350,000 in five years for abortion funds.
1/9
these puzzles fund abortion
www.abortionpuzzles.com
May 9, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Want to hear a cool story about reproductive justice, mutual aid, and crossword puzzles?
Let me tell you about These Puzzles Fund Abortion (www.abortionpuzzles.com / @tpfa.bsky.social), a crossword puzzle fundraiser that has raised over $350,000 in five years for abortion funds.
1/9
Let me tell you about These Puzzles Fund Abortion (www.abortionpuzzles.com / @tpfa.bsky.social), a crossword puzzle fundraiser that has raised over $350,000 in five years for abortion funds.
1/9
Just watched this insightful and very funny talk about crossword editing and the constructor's voice by @malaika-h.bsky.social and you should go watch it too!
youtu.be/377nX-dY3II?...
youtu.be/377nX-dY3II?...
Caveat performance (April 16, 2025)
YouTube video by Malaika Handa
youtu.be
May 7, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Just watched this insightful and very funny talk about crossword editing and the constructor's voice by @malaika-h.bsky.social and you should go watch it too!
youtu.be/377nX-dY3II?...
youtu.be/377nX-dY3II?...
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
✨Constructor Spotlight✨
Sara Goodchild (she/her, @sarathegood.bsky.social) is an editor & puzzlemaker based in Toronto. She’s honoured to be contributing to TPFA for a 2nd time: abortion is health care!
Sara co-created a brilliant puzzle with Steve Mossberg.
Available at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!
Sara Goodchild (she/her, @sarathegood.bsky.social) is an editor & puzzlemaker based in Toronto. She’s honoured to be contributing to TPFA for a 2nd time: abortion is health care!
Sara co-created a brilliant puzzle with Steve Mossberg.
Available at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!
April 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
✨Constructor Spotlight✨
Sara Goodchild (she/her, @sarathegood.bsky.social) is an editor & puzzlemaker based in Toronto. She’s honoured to be contributing to TPFA for a 2nd time: abortion is health care!
Sara co-created a brilliant puzzle with Steve Mossberg.
Available at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!
Sara Goodchild (she/her, @sarathegood.bsky.social) is an editor & puzzlemaker based in Toronto. She’s honoured to be contributing to TPFA for a 2nd time: abortion is health care!
Sara co-created a brilliant puzzle with Steve Mossberg.
Available at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
APRIL CARTOON: ivacheung.com/2025/04/conf... #AmEditing
Confirmation - Iva Cheung
Click through to enlarge!
ivacheung.com
April 1, 2025 at 5:22 PM
APRIL CARTOON: ivacheung.com/2025/04/conf... #AmEditing
I always knew I was a cryptic crossweirdo, but now it’s official! It was such a pleasure to work with Dob, Momes, and Bob. Check out the puzzle on Patreon!
🌸 happy april puzzle! 🌸
today’s cryptic comes from the talented @sarathegood.bsky.social! give it a solve and let us know how it went! 💜
patreon.com/CrypticCross...
today’s cryptic comes from the talented @sarathegood.bsky.social! give it a solve and let us know how it went! 💜
patreon.com/CrypticCross...
April 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
I always knew I was a cryptic crossweirdo, but now it’s official! It was such a pleasure to work with Dob, Momes, and Bob. Check out the puzzle on Patreon!
Reposted by Sara Goodchild
Our second sample puzzle is now available to solve for free on our website!
Check out the cryptic puzzle “Lessons in Chemistry?” by @jessshulman.bsky.social at www.abortionpuzzles.com!
(& if you like this puzzle, you’ll love the 20+ other puzzles you’ll get when you donate at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!)
Check out the cryptic puzzle “Lessons in Chemistry?” by @jessshulman.bsky.social at www.abortionpuzzles.com!
(& if you like this puzzle, you’ll love the 20+ other puzzles you’ll get when you donate at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!)
April 1, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Our second sample puzzle is now available to solve for free on our website!
Check out the cryptic puzzle “Lessons in Chemistry?” by @jessshulman.bsky.social at www.abortionpuzzles.com!
(& if you like this puzzle, you’ll love the 20+ other puzzles you’ll get when you donate at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!)
Check out the cryptic puzzle “Lessons in Chemistry?” by @jessshulman.bsky.social at www.abortionpuzzles.com!
(& if you like this puzzle, you’ll love the 20+ other puzzles you’ll get when you donate at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa!)