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avcx.bsky.social
AVCX Classic
@avcx.bsky.social
The best indie crosswords since 2008. Avxwords.com. Owned by no one but us; supported by no one but our solvers. Fair pay for creators always.
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Frustratingly, though the heat is thankfully back in the apartment, my jaw is still sore from the root canal I had yesterday, so I won't be streaming tonight. Will be back with cryptics from @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social and @unchcrosswords.com and @avcx.bsky.social later this week, or next Tuesday.
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
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The best time to announce that you've constructed another cryptic crossword was when it was published, last year. The second-best time is now. Many thanks to @francisheaney.bsky.social for another fine round of editing, and to the good people of @avcx.bsky.social for having me again.
February 4, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Maybe AVCX starts a journalism concern.

It sort of makes sense to build out from the gewgaws people subscribe to to the rest of the paper, since the financial models already work that way.
February 4, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Fun one from Brian tonight
February 4, 2026 at 2:25 AM
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You can't trick me into trying cryptic crosswords @avcx.bsky.social, I know my limits.

Also I highly recommend them as an NYT alternative for anybody looking for one.
February 3, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Sometimes (as today) we have no idea why a flood of subscriptions come in all at once. Regardless, thank you, welcome, and we’ll certainly do our best to make you happy!
February 1, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Puzzles and games are a respite from daily stresses, which everyone deserves and in fact needs.

But that doesn’t mean that their makers exist outside politics, or should be exempt from political responsibility. Saying nothing is a political choice — a conservative one, in fact.
January 27, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Allies in all this
January 26, 2026 at 4:08 PM
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You will be delighted to know that there is an annual crossword puzzle awards event, happening this year on 2/23. Details are below (I'll be a presenter!), along with info about how to receive the nominated puzzles in advance - namely, by donating to the Trevor Project, which we should all do anyway
The most important awards of the year are out: the 14th ORCAS. A puzzle pack of 81 nominees to benefit The Trevor Project. A star-studded show. Your walk along the black-and-white-checkerboard carpet starts here: crosswordfiend.com/14th-orca-aw...
January 25, 2026 at 4:33 PM
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January 24, 2026 at 8:34 PM
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A lot of good ways to show support here: www.standwithminnesota.com
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Attention crossword constructors: FUCKICE (7)
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
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I just completed my first ever @avcx.bsky.social cryptic with no hints (and on examination one error). It was from 08-31-2023 Rebecca Bridge edited by @naytnaytnayt.bsky.social I'm feeling pretty smart right now.
January 23, 2026 at 6:31 AM
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Pleased to report that Will Shortz liked Marty Supreme.
January 18, 2026 at 10:27 PM
One of the best things about open submission season is revising puzzles with constructors. Often, we accept work provisionally, asking for edits to make the work its best self.

Constructors are almost always open to it (which is appreciated!) and we love the mutual revision process.
January 9, 2026 at 4:09 PM
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Submissions to AVCX Classic are now closed for the December-January cycle — alas, we have to shut it down when we get to a certain number, since we only publish once a week.

We reopen in May, and look forward to seeing your pitches then!
January 6, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Submissions to AVCX Classic are now closed for the December-January cycle — alas, we have to shut it down when we get to a certain number, since we only publish once a week.

We reopen in May, and look forward to seeing your pitches then!
January 6, 2026 at 9:50 PM
We got a record 455 submissions (mostly correct) for @francisheaney.bsky.social ‘s December 25 meta contest.

Winners will be announced and meta solution will go out with tonight’s puzzle … which happens to be a PDF-only doozy by Mike Schlossberg. Don’t miss any of it.

Avxwords.com
AVCX – Crosswords for the (not) faint of heart.
Avxwords.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Hello to a lot of new followers: we’re an independent media concern in that we make puzzles and games outside of a corporate context.

Try us!

Avxwords.com
AVCX – Crosswords for the (not) faint of heart.
Avxwords.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:04 AM
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i’ve done “tweedy outfit?” for wilco
January 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
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I am almost (but not quite) too old to get this.

(Although tbh my first response was “yeah you do see a lot of GEESE in winter but you also see them other seasons, so…” 🫤)

🎶 🪿 🪿 🎶
Crossword clue free to a good home: “Winter outfit?” for GEESE
January 4, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Crossword clue free to a good home: “Winter outfit?” for GEESE
January 4, 2026 at 1:57 PM
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New Classic puzzle from Karen Lurie and Peter Gwinn drops tonight.

Today is also the one day each year when we ask for tips! If you are able to support us with a tip, our gratitude would be hard to overstate!

avxwords.com/tip-jar/
Tip Jar – AVCX
avxwords.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
New Classic puzzle from Karen Lurie and Peter Gwinn drops tonight.

Today is also the one day each year when we ask for tips! If you are able to support us with a tip, our gratitude would be hard to overstate!

avxwords.com/tip-jar/
Tip Jar – AVCX
avxwords.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM