Puzzle Update

The August 2005 Games should now be on newsstands. Look for my latest published puzzle, "In The Chips" on page 19.

It was announced this week that The New York Times will now be paying out the highest rates in the puzzle industry as of July 3 - $125 for a 15x15 daily, and $600 (!) for a 21x21 or 23x23 Sunday. When Will Shortz was appointed puzzle editor of the Times in 1993, these rates were a mere $50 for a daily and $150 for a Sunday, so Will is cognizant of the fact that the Times puzzles are the best in the business and their constructors should be so compensated.

I found out from Will in the process of congratulating him on the rate raise that my first NYT puzzle will be appearing within a few weeks (as coyly noted a few weeks ago). When I get a definite date, I will let you know.