Updates & Calls

Friday, July 16th 2021

New York Times wants submissions for ‘Solver Stories’

The Tweet from NYTimes Wordplay says, “We've updated our submission guidelines for our solver stories. If you have a story you'd like to share about your relationship to puzzles. we'd love to hear it” Their guidelines are extensive, and include this: “The most important thing is that the writing be emotionally honest and for the story to be freshly and compellingly told.” The articles have to be 800-1,300 words, and pay is $200. Details here (Tweet) and here (guidelines).


Sunday, July 11th 2021

Solver Stories is Accepting Personal Essays

Solver Stories is a feature in New York Times’ crossword humor column, Wordplay. They are accepting personal essay submissions on “your involvement with puzzles, games or language.” They pay $200 per essay (800-1,300 words). If interested, send your essays to solverstories@nytimes.com. For more information, read their editor’s Tweet and their submission guidelines.

Thursday, December 17th 2020

Solver Stories is Accepting Personal Essays

Solver Stories is a feature in New York Times’ crossword humor column, Wordplay. They are accepting submissions for the latter half of 2021. They welcome “submissions of personal essays about an issue the writer has faced in life, and how solving puzzles (of any kind) has helped them resolve that issue.” “Another topic of interest is how solving puzzles has affected a relationship in the writer’s life.” They will pay $200 per essay (preferred length: 800-1,300 words). Send essays to solverstories@nytimes.com. For details, refer to their Tweet and submission guidelines.