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"

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.

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!

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!!

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.

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!

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!

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!)

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.

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."

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!

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!!!

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

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.

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

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!

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)

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?

Today we're bringing you a guest 10x10 midi by Elliot Caroll (@yssymusic.com) titled "All That." We think you'll enjoy its entertaining and slightly tricky vibes.

Today we bring you the latest midi from roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social‬). It's a 13x11 titled "That's What She Said." We think you'll enjoy how this puzzle manages to be light-hearted and educational at the same time.

We've got for you here a decidedly optimistic 9x10 midi by Katie Hoody. It's titled "It's Planting Time!" We hope the clever cluing (and playful occasional misdirects) make for a cheery solve.

Today's puzzle is a 13x11 by Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social), entitled "Let 'The Games' Begin." This is Ben's second puzzle as a Lil roster member, and we think you'll get a kick out of it, flip for it, and even, uh, toss a javelin about it.

We're thrilled to bring you the latest from Alisya Reza (‪@alisyareza.bsky.social‬), a 15x9 called "belles of the ball." We think you'll love taking this moderately tricky puzzle for a spin!

We're delighted to bring you the latest midi from roster member Alex Rossell Hayes. It's a 12x10 titled "Well, It's Ablaut Time." Don't worry if you don't know what "ablaut" means. We think you'll have a pretty good idea once you're done solving.

Get ready to soar through this magical 11x13 puzzle—no scorching stumpers, just a light-hearted flight through "Here (and There) Be Dragons" by roster member K.J. Sarr. May your wits be sharp, your answers swift, and your quills never falter.

We just couldn't wait, so we're dropping it a little early: Today's puzzle comes to us from roster member Terry Sun. It's a clever 9x13 called "Taste the Rainbow" that we think you'll devour in a few big bites.

Today we're excited to bring you a lovely little 10x10 puzzle by guest constructor Karen Lurie. "Pen Pal" is giving warm, breezy vibes - perfect for a nice June day!

A TRANS PERSON MADE YOUR PUZZLE is LIVE !!!! donate at least $10 USD to an American trans charity and receive 10 puzzles by trans constructors edited by me and @cantorlope.bsky.social beautiful cover art by @pseudonymjones.bsky.social happy pride :) tinyurl.com/transxwords

We're delighted to bring you the Lil AVCX debut of roster member Carina da Rosa (@carinadarosa.bsky.social‬), an 11x11 puzzle titled "Kitchen Confidential." We'll let you in on a secret; we think you'll find this to be an enjoyable, breezy solve.

Today we bring you the debut Lil puzzle from one more member of this year's roster: Katie Hoody. This 9x9 themeless, titled "Better Late Than Never," pulls off the neat trick of packing a variety of fresh (and sometimes a touch tricky!) clues into a grid that's both clever and accessible.

We're excited to share this delightful 11x11 puzzle by new Lil roster member Ben Wilson (@zerofiftyone.bsky.social‬), entitled "Stack of Pun-Cakes." We hope you'll be as tickled by this first peek into Ben's sneaky wordplay mind as we are.

Tonight we are thrilled to bring you a moderately challenging 9x11 called "significant figures," the debut puzzle from Lil AVCX roster member Alisya Reza (@alisyareza.bsky.social). We think you'll love Alisya's fresh, fun clues infused with pop culture!

As we're well in the swing of our first roster debuts of 2025, it bears repeating that Lil AVCX (and AVCX as a whole) is supported by solvers... like you! We're so grateful this year of mentorship was made possible by the many subscribers of AVCX. Your continued support enables what we do!

We're so excited to share another 2025 roster debut! This one's an 11x11 from Alex Rossell Hayes titled "It's a Small World After All." We're certain that this one will elicit an "I see what you did there" reaction after the solve.

Tonight we are thrilled to bring you a debut from K.J. Sarr titled "Slow Burn." This moderately challenging 9x9 puzzle is bursting with magical, nerdy-chic vibes, and, as one test solver put it, is "giving BookTok." Huzzah!

We're very excited to bring you the first puzzle from our 2025 roster of mentees. It's a 10x10 puzzle titled "Perfect Cubes" from Terry Sun, and we think you'll find it fresh and friendly!

A tip for solving: Remember, the puzzle was MADE to be solved. If you're feeling stuck, ask yourself: have I overlooked ways in which the puzzle has been trying to help me find the solution?

Tonight's puzzle is a 9x13 grid from Lil AVCX editor Matthew Luter titled "There Is a World Inside the World." Like a good book, this puzzle has ups and downs (OK, just downs, because it's a crossword), compelling characters (the letters A-Z), and a satisfying ending (a completed grid).

We're back this week with a smooth-as-butter 11x11 puzzle for you to bite into! "Mega Bites" comes from AVCX editor Jess Shulman (@jessshulman.bsky.social), who is bringing some hangry vibes to today's party.

With this 11x11 midi, Lil AVCX editor Amie Walker (@amiewalker.bsky.social) asks, "You Weren't Expecting to See Me?" Hmm … in an Amie grid, you can always expect to see some fresh entries with clever clues, and this one's no exception. Please enjoy!

Tonight we're bringing you a 13x10 puzzle by Lil AVCX editor Brian Callahan (@oliogrids.bsky.social) titled "Riders on the Storm." We trust you won't find the solve too stormy.

Tonight we have a moderately challenging 13x9 called "Hello, Goodbye" from Lil AVCX leadership team member Will Eisenberg (@tlmberwolves.bsky.social). We hope you'll enjoy this puzzle's "warm greeting from an old friend" vibes.

Solvers everywhere are flocking to today's midi crossword, an 11x12 puzzle called "Birds Down Under," another feather in the cap of Lil's own Sally Hoelscher (@sallyhoelscher.bsky.social) .

It's been a little bit since we've had a Monday night puzzle, but this feels like the perfect time to be back. Tonight's puzzle is a 15x6 puzzle from Olivia Mitra Framke (@livienna.bsky.social) titled "Just a Lil Puzzle", featuring all of her usual joy and wit, and nothing else out of the ordinary.

Tonight's puzzle is a 9x15 midi from roster alum Kaye Brown (@kayebrown.bsky.social) titled "By The Numbers." We're sure this one will be a hit among viewers of a certain 2000s TV series, but we also think it'll play well with nonviewers too!