In the Dark

After spending this afternoon going through lots of papers in an attempt to work out how soon I’ll be able to retire – answer: not soon enough – I’ve only just realized that today there is an Azed Competition Prize Puzzle (usually the first Sunday of every month). I haven’t got the energy to do it now, but will have a go later in the week if I get the time.

Some years ago at a lunch event I had the opportunity to chat with some professional crossword compilers. It seems one gets paid around £150 (give or take) for setting a crossword in a national newspaper, which isn’t a lot considering how difficult it is. It has crossed my mind a number of times that I might try to supplement my retirement income that way.

However, when I saw today’s Azed puzzle (which is ofa special Carte Blanche form) I suddenly hit on a potentially lucrative idea.
I’ve decided to start a crossword competition of my own. Here  is Telescoper Prize Crossword No. 1.

Instructions for solvers. To enter the competition, devise a set of clues and solutions that fill the above grid in the manner of a typical Azed puzzle. Mail completed grids, together with clues to me at:  Telescoper Prize Crossword No. 1, PO Box 16  (across), Maynooth, Ireland. The best entries, as judged by me, will win 27p in (used) postage stamps plus the chance to see their crossword in a national newspaper with my name as setter.

As a business plan, this simply can’t fail. It’s nearly as good as running an academic journal!

This entry was posted on February 6, 2022 at 7:54 pm and is filed under Biographical, Crosswords. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.