And we start 2013 with a little grumble. Setters don’t expect to log on to forums and see their work greeted with universal plaudits, and we’re always happy to have our (hopefully minor) failings pointed out, but there is one comment that makes me grit my teeth.

Over the past 4 or so years I’ve assembled quite a few 15×15 non-cryptic puzzles, each a mix of straight definition and mild general knowledge clues. These have been supplied to a couple of in-house monthly publications on a non-exclusive basis. The time has come to allow these puzzles to have a fresh airing elsewhere, and I’d like them to go to monthly magazines (or indeed any type of publication) which want high quality crosswords without the usual expense – for puzzles of this type the minimum fee would be around £50 per puzzle.

So here’s what I’m offering; 36 crosswords, effectively a 3-year supply, for just £350. Each is presented with fully artworked puzzle/solution grids in BMP or TIFF format, with clues and reference grids in a single Word document, all supplied by email. Payment can be by PayPal or BACS.

Know anyone involved with a magazine? Any way you could make this offer known to them?

There’s still time (4 days) to catch Radio 4′s hour-long programme celebrating 100 years of the cryptic crossword:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p2wd0

Lots of interesting material including interviews with Ruth Crisp (Crispa), John Graham (Araucaria) and former Telegraph crossword editor Val Gilbert. My own take? Well, it contains plenty of fascinating insights and was certainly an enjoyable listen but, for me, seems to end the story at a point 20-30 years ago. It may be that most Radio 4 listeners stopped remembering stuff around that time, but really… it would have been nice to hear about where the cryptic crossword is at right now. Contemporary – and highly influential – setters such as John Halpern, John Henderson etc don’t get a look in, which is a shame.

2013 is when our celebrations will be in full swing, so let’s hope the new year will see the modern cryptic crossword covered more extensively.

A double dose of yours truly, I’m afraid. Anax in the Independent tomorrow, followed by a Sunday Times effort.

What else? Oh yeah – next week looks like being a bit insane (can anything be a bit insane?). Mostly stuff with the band, comprising rehearsal on Monday and two full days in a recording studio on Wedmesday/Thursday. Most of Tuesday will be spent sitting in the audience while I watch a friend doing a TV quiz thingy, followed by an extremely late excursion to whatever local tavern may still be open. Friday? A band gig. Pretty busy all round, and who knows? I might just be able to squeeze in the occasional tiny bit of a-damn-sight-more-important crossword work. Actually, no – I’ve been slogging at it nonstop for about a month; maybe a week of puzzles on the back burner will be healthy.

Great news – the 3D Crossword Puzzle Calendar 2013 is now available.

Yes, I know. Well over a month since I last posted anything here. Am I ashamed? Yes I am.

The truth is I’ve been stupidly busy – mostly setting, quite a bit with the increasingly busy (popular – yay!) band. Too busy, in fact, to even mention forthcoming puzzles. In fact there was an Elkamere in the Telegraph today and I didn’t even have time to go out and get a copy of the paper. The next published efforts are in a week or so, so I’ll update here nearer the time.

Hope you’re all well and happy. It’s far too early for a New Year’s Resolution, obviously, but I’ve already made mine – to get back tp updating more regularly here.

Help needed – absolutely nothing to do with crosswords! Well, almost…