Author Archives: Sam Donaldson

Get Ready for the 2017 Orca Awards with This Puzzle Featuring Clue of the Year Nominees!

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Sam Donaldson

The 2017 Orca Awards will arrive here on Sunday, March 4. That’s just three weeks away! Squee! For the seventh straight year we will honor outstanding achievement in crossword construction and editing as we look back on many of your … Continue reading →

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The 2016 Orca Awards

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Sam Donaldson

Everyone’s favorite 8,000-word post is back! It’s time for the (now sixth!) annual Orca Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in crossword construction and editing throughout several categories in 2016. For the past two years the Orcas have been spread out over … Continue reading →

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The Orcas are Coming … Can You Solve this Puzzle Containing the Best Clue Nominees?

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Sam Donaldson

We’re just two weeks away from the 2016 Orca Awards, our annual tribute to some of the year’s most outstanding crosswords. In addition to Best Crossword, there will be awards in several categories, including Best Easy Crossword, Best Freestyle Crossword, … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Crossword

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

The Orcas conclude today with the award for Best Crossword. Before we get to the last award, let’s recap the winners thus far: Best Easy Crossword, Lynn Lempel Merl Reagle Award for Best Sunday-Sized Crossword, Jeremy Newton Best Freestyle Crossword, … Continue reading →

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The 2015 Orca Awards – Best Clue and Constructor of the Year

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Sam Donaldson

Orcas Week is winding down. Today we present the Bob Klahn Award for Best Clue and the Margaret Farrar Constructor of the Year Award. Tomorrow the festivities end with the award for Best Crossword. There’s mystery in the air this … Continue reading →

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