London Students Team Up to Craft Crosswords for The New York Times

Fifth-year engineering students from Western University in London, Canada, have made their mark in the world of crossword puzzles, contributing to the prestigious New York Times. On March 1, 2023, their latest creation featured the clue for a 12-letter word meaning “eerie – and then some,” which was answered with the word “bonechilling.”

Jeffrey Martinovic, 22, has been crafting crosswords since he was in seventh grade. His recent puzzle marks his twelfth published in the New York Times since 2022. “I guess my personality is just very creative, and so I’m always seeking creative outlets,” Martinovic shared. He fondly recalls solving crossword puzzles with his mother every weekend using the Toronto Star.

Breaking into the New York Times wasn’t a straightforward journey for Martinovic. He faced 23 rejections before achieving his first publication. Since then, he has established himself as a regular contributor to the esteemed publication.

For this latest puzzle, Martinovic collaborated with Matthew Proulx, also 22, who had never built a crossword before. The two met during their first-year business class at Western University. Proulx had long been intrigued by the creative process of puzzle construction, and collaborating with Martinovic made the experience accessible and rewarding. “I probably had a unique experience in that it wasn’t overly challenging, which is a weird thing to say, but I think it was just a really good blend of our skill sets,” Proulx explained.

The puzzle itself includes symbols commonly found on ski hills, such as the black diamond, which correspond with the word “hill” to assist in solving multiple clues across the grid.

Martinovic noted that crosswords submitted to the Times can take up to a year to be published. However, this particular puzzle was accepted in January and was published in an unusually quick timeframe. “They published it basically in the earliest slot they could after accepting it, which I’ve never heard of and never seen happen before,” he remarked.

For Martinovic, crossword construction has been a long-term passion. For Proulx, the experience of creating a crossword for the first time and seeing it published in the New York Times remains surreal. “I feel like even when I solved crosswords I was having a little bit of trouble, funny enough,” he said. “So I was, like, I better get better at this if I’m now classified as an author.”

The collaboration between Martinovic and Proulx showcases not only their individual talents but also the potential for creative partnerships in unexpected places. As they continue to develop their skills, their contributions to the crossword community bring fresh perspectives and innovative clues to puzzle enthusiasts around the world.