About Me

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 make custom puzzles for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, corporate events, and more. Email me!

Co-Director of the Midwest Crossword Tournament. First Saturday in October in Chicago. 

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 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. 

Listen to me on Fill Me In: Episode 350; 367; 386; 402; 411; 415; 512

2024: 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. 

2023-2024: Editor for Lemonade Disco, an community indie crossword project whose mission was to provide a platform for all crossword constructors to showcase their talent and creativity in an inclusive, supportive space.

I occasionally guest blogged for Sally's Take. My 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 

Co-hosted the STL Crossword Puzzle Tournament with Patrick Blindauer, June 2022, March 2023.

Tournament history

2027
  • Rain City - 
  • ACPT - 
  • Canadian - 
  • Westwords - 
  • Boswords - 
  • Lolla - 

2026
  • ACPT - Pairs - 2/56 ; 3.5%
  • Westwords - winner of the Pairs division!!
  • Lolla - Pairs - 2/55 ; 3.6%
2025
  • ACPT (B div) - 120/787; 15%
  • Westwords - 19/144; 13%
  • Lolla - Pairs - winner of the Pairs division!!
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%

Comments