Lil AVCX

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 ...

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...

Crossword puzzle with 10-Down highlighted: [Parker who says "I'll always have a place at the Dairy Queen" in "Waiting for Guffman"

Take your seats and silence your cell phones everybody, today's crossword is a moderately challenging 12x11 from Lil AVCX editor Matthew Luter titled "Double Bills" that we're sure you'll find a real showstopper!

Crossword puzzle with 6-Down highlighted: [High tech device for a snowboarder?]

Today's puzzle is an 11x11 offering from Lil AVCX editor Jess Shulman (@jessshulman.bsky.social), entitled "On Your Merry Way". We think it'll have you leaping for joy with its cozy vibes!

Crossword puzzle with 1-Across highlighted: [Suit yourself] (5 letters)

I'll keep this short (and you'll figure out why). The state of things here is that Will Eisenberg (@tlmberwolves.bsky.social) has a 10x13 themed puzzle for you titled "Oh, OK." Please enjoy it, post-haste. Difficulty is, let's say, 13 out of 50?

Crossword puzzle with 11-Across highlighted

We have a treat for you today, a delightful 11x13 puzzle by widely published constructor and Lil leadership team member Olivia Mitra Framke (@livienna.bsky.social). It's titled "You've Heard of Them". It's filled with fun tidbits, goofy wordplay, and a perfectly executed theme.

Crossword puzzle with 7-Across highlighted: [Apt car rental company to use when visiting San Antonio]

We're excited to bring you a 12x12 puzzle from Lil AVCX editor Brian Callahan (@oliogrids.bsky.social) called "Just One Away from a Bingo." We think you'll find it fresh, playful, and full of Brian's signature pop culture and sports clues!

Crossword puzzle with 20-Across highlighted: [Tiny taste of Twinings tea]

The Lil AVCX roster has been making puzzles at a frenetic pace, so we decided to give them a bit of a break. In October, our 2025 editors will each contribute a puzzle. We kick off "Editor October" with a smooth-sailing 10x10 puzzle from Sally Hoelscher (@sallyhoelscher.bsky.social): "No Filter"

Crossword puzzle with 6-Down highlighted: [Yarn bundles (I’m always open to knitting pattern suggestions, just saying…)]

Tonight, roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social) invites you along on a romantic adventure. This breezy 13x10 puzzle is titled "Change of Scenery." Whichever solving format you choose, we invite you to take a peek at the PDF for a little added visual interest.

Crossword puzzle with 21-Down highlighted: [Give into pressure to go spelunking, say]

Today we bring you another potentially perplexing performance of puzzling proficiency via this piece of prestidigitation, an 11x10 themeless midi by Katie Hoody titled—poof! presto-changeo!—"Something from Nothing." Voila!

Crossword puzzle with 6-Down highlighted: [Cheese closely related to chhena] (6 letters)

We're excited to bring you a 13x9 puzzle from roster member Alisya Reza (@alisyareza.bsky.social) called "blondes have more fun." We think you'll find it breezy, cheeky, and fun!!

Crossword puzzle with 2-Down highlighted: [Upwardly mobile head-turner?]

We're excited to bring you another installment from roster member Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social). It's a clever 11x11 puzzle entitled "Astaire-case," where you'll find no shortage of Ben's signature punniness.

Crossword puzzle with 11-Down highlighted: [ "OMG, me toooo!"]

Today we're bringing you a breezy 12x9 midi from guest constructor Jess Rucks (@jessbevrucks.bsky.social). It's called "You Can Say That Again!" We think you'll find it to be playful and entertaining.

Last winter, AVCX ran a subscription drive to continue funding our expanded puzzle offerings. It worked great! We won’t need to do anything at that scale this year.

But we will run a mini-drive this fall to keep the old budget stable. So if you like what we do, please spread the word!

Crossword puzzle with 31-Down highlighted: [Vends vintage toys on eBay, say] (5 letters)

Today we're bringing you a huge helping of nostalgia that fits in the palm of your hand. Roster member K.J. Sarr's 13x13 puzzle titled "Pocket Dimension" should be a snap of a solve, and oodles of retro fun. Don't miss checking out the PDF!

Crossword puzzle with 29 Across highlighted: [Atmospheric layer protected by the Montreal protocol] (5 letters)

We're excited to bring you a 10x11 midi from roster member Alex Rossell Hayes (@alxrh.bsky.social) titled "Counter Arguments." We expect this to be a relatively breezy solve, and before you know it, you'll be shouting "That's a wrap!"

Congrats to Lil member @carinadarosa.bsky.social! We eagerly await solving her puzzle! (And all the rest!)

Crossword puzzle with 27-Across highlighted: [Freedoms that ultimately benefit people of all gender identities] (11 letters)

Today's puzzle comes to us from roster member Terry Sun. It's an 11x11 entitled "Chosen Family" and we think it'll be a fun solve that'll leave you feeling proud to be an AVCX subscriber.

Crossword puzzle with 1-Down highlighted: [If this Jewish deli bread were a game of Bop It, you might: Roll it! Fill it! Twist it! Braid it!] (5 letters)

Put on your dancing shoes! Tonight we have an 11x12 puzzle by roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social) called "Sorry, Patrick Swayze, But I Put Baby in the Corner."

Lollapuzzoola 18 (2025) Lollapuzzoola 18 happened on Saturday, August 9, 2025 (that was a Saturday in August), in New York City. And without a doubt, it was one of the most dramatically exciting tournaments we’ve ever had…

Malaika also had an amazing themeless at Lollapuzzoola this past weekend. You can get that puzzle (and some other great ones) here: bemoresmarter.com/lo...

Crossword puzzle with 10-Across highlighted: [Brand mascot known for breaking into the scene?] (ten letters)

Please give a big Lil AVCX welcome to Malaika Handa (@malaika-h.bsky.social‬)! This 11x11 midi is titled "Make a wish!" and we think you'll find it a lively, moderately challenging solve. You don't want to miss this gem!

Crossword puzzle with 1-Across highlighted: [Minnesota ___ (2025 Professional Women's Hockey League champions)] (five letters)

We've got a 10x10 puzzle for you today from Katie Hoody, titled "Girl Power Forever," that's technically a themeless, but you'll notice some conceptual throughlines connecting some clues—not to mention some zippy long entries.

Hey look, it's Lil member Katie and Lil graduates Lydia and Christina! Congratulations!!!

2025 Midwest Crossword Tournament constructors: Evan Birnholz, Kyle Dolan, Katie Hoody, Lydia Roth & Christina Bodensiek, Hemant Mehta, Taylor Johnson

We're beyond thrilled to present puzzles by this fantastic set of constructors at the second Midwest Crossword Tournament, October 4, 2025 in Chicago! Read more about them and register now at midwestgridfest.com

Crossword puzzle with 22-down highlighted: [Musical instrument responsible for the phrase "pull out all the stops"] (five letters)

We predict that you will get much enjoyment from Ben Wilson's (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social‬) newest 11x11 puzzle, titled "These Books Are Worth a Fortune," in which Ben has embedded some sneaky extras for keen-eyed solvers.

Crossword puzzle with 8-Across highlighted: [Where hot celebrities may be prone to meltdowns?]

Today's puzzle is a 13x10 puzzle from guest constructor Pao Roy entitled "Leading Questions." We think you'll find it more challenging than the average Lil AVCX puzzle, but don't worry, you got this. Any questions?

We hear midi puzzles are all the rage lately, if you'd like a backlog of hundreds, consider subscribing to AVCX! avxwords.com

Crossword puzzle with 10-Down highlighted: [Where you might find G-Men ... or G-strings] (six letters)

We're thrilled to bring you today's puzzle: a 10x10 midi from Alex Rossell Hayes (‪@alxrh.bsky.social‬) titled "On Your Marks." Fair warning: some of the clues might be a bit challenging. If you hit a dead end, we encourage you to embrace the stress. You'll get there!

Crossword puzzle with 7-Down highlighted: [Floor covering for a fairy house, perhaps] (four letters)

Kick off your flip-flops and grab a pencil—we're bringing you a breezy 10x13 puzzle by K.J. Sarr titled "Meet me at the beach?" that's 'shore' to brighten your day! (we couldn't resist the pun, sorry not sorry)

Crossword puzzle with 3-Down highlighted: ["Congrats on surviving another year!", for short]

Tonight's puzzle is a 10x13 from roster member Terry Sun, entitled "A Trip to the Zoo." We think you'll find it exciting but friendly, with some unexpected moments.

What makes a crossword stick in your head so you can't forget it?