About/Links

Hi! Welcome to Norah's Puzzles. Here I (mostly) blog as Norah Sharpe. Elsewhere I (mostly) publish using my real name, Shannon Rapp. Here's some of the other stuff I do around Crossworld: 

I write for Daily Crossword Links, the umbrella site that brings you your daily newsletter and your monthly-ish News & Notes. We are soliciting guest essays and other ideas, please email us at crosswordlinks@gmail.com 

I am an editor for Lil AVCX (and roster alum), the midi-puzzle division of AVCX, which I believe is the best place to spend your crossword dollars. There's a free trial and some free sample puzzles. 

I am an editor for Lemonade Disco, an community indie crossword project whose mission is to provide a platform for all crossword constructors to showcase their talent and creativity in an inclusive, supportive space.

I mentor for the Crossword Puzzle Collaboration Directory, a resource for matching constructors from underrepresented groups with experienced mentors. Join the group and/or sign up for a mentor. 

I occasionally guest blog for Sally's Take. See my recent takes: 9/26/23 | 4/14/23 | 3/28/23 | 12/10/22 | 10/2/22 | 7/9/22 | 4/12/22 | 3/5/22 | 2/12/22 

I review for Crossword Fiend, usually the Saturday and Sunday Universal puzzles (and once in a while other things)

I co-host the STL Crossword Puzzle Tournament with Patrick Blindauer, June 2022, March 2023.

Listen to me on Fill Me In: Episode 350; 367; 386; 402; 411; 415

Tournament history

2025

• Boswords Winter - 
• ACPT (B div) - 
• Boswords Spring - Choppy
• Westwords - 
• Boswords Summer 
• Lolla - Express - 
• Boswords Fall - 

2024

• Boswords Winter - 12/147 ; 8.1%
• ACPT (C div) - 83/739; 11.2%
• Boswords Spring - :D (Fake played stormy: 135/280; 48%)
• Westwords - 24/127; 18.9% - winner of the Beach division!!
• Boswords Summer - 22/220; 10%
• Lolla - Express - 48/236; 20.3%
• Boswords Fall - Choppy - 4/290; 1.3%

2023

• Boswords Winter - Flurry - 6/188 ; 3.1% 
• ACPT (E div) - 189/747 ; 25.3% - winner of the E division!! 
• Boswords Spring - Choppy - 38/444 ; 8.5%
• Boswords Summer - Mild - 59/306 ; 19.2%
• Lolla - Local - 19/169 ; 11.2%
• Boswords Fall - Choppy - 23/330 ; 6.9%

2022

• Boswords Winter - Blizzard - 269/300 ; 89.6%
• ACPT (C div) - 349/474 ; 73.6%
• Boswords Spring - Stormy - 175/250 ; 70%
• Boswords Summer - Mild - 55/300 ; 18.3%
• Lolla - Local - 24/121 ; 19.8%
• Boswords Fall - Choppy - 106/400 ; 26.5%

2021

• Boswords Summer - Mild - 80/162 ; 49.3%
• Boswords Fall - Choppy - 146/344 ; 42.4%