Puzzle Notes

Hi friends: 

Erik Agard brings us "Shiftwork," a contest puzzle with a meta solution. It's 4/5 difficulty. You'll need the following details:

The answer to this contest puzzle is a work of fiction. The puzzle conceals both the author of the work and a weapon used in the work, in a manner for you to determine. Send the name of the work to shiftwork@avxwords.com by the end of Sunday, October 4 for a chance to win a prize!

Two puzzles will be randomly selected for the main prize, but all correct entrants will receive a "coupon" that permits them to send a free 3-month AVCX subscription to an as-yet-subscribed friend!

Good luck,

Ben and the AVCX crew [avxwords.com, @AVCXWord]