Puzzle Notes

Oompa loompa doompety doo!
We've got another puzzle for you!

Welcome, friends! Themeless #4, by Patti Varol, is a challenging sweet treat. It starts out crunchy, then gets chewy. We hope you'll find it everlastingly gobstopping, satisfying and delicious. Talk about your kind of wishes!

Speaking of wishes, our design guru Alex Briñas has devised an Inksaver version for those solvers who've requested this option. You'll find that Themeless #4 "Lite" is just as bold as the original, once you take a bite.

Patti Varol has been editing and creating puzzles for almost 20 years. She is the puzzle editor of Crosswords Club and Daily POP Crosswords; she has been the assistant editor of the L.A. Times Crossword since 2010. Her crosswords have appeared in the L.A. Times, the Washington Post, and the Chronicle of Higher Education, as well as the Crosswords L.A. and Lollapuzzoola tournaments.

Patti is also the co-creator and editor of Women of Letters, a 2018 puzzle pack featuring the work of women constructors, with proceeds benefiting women-centric charities, and whose rallying cry, "Publish More Women!" became an inspiration for us at the Inkubator. And Patti's back at the helm for Women of Letters 2, which is in the works (and open for theme queries through October at WomenofLettersCrosswords@gmail.com).

Find Patti on Twitter at @PattiVarol.

When you're done solving, check out Diary of a Crossword Fiend for a write-up and discussion, every Friday after an Inkubator puzzle is published. For general updates, follow us on twitter at @InkubatorXWords, and visit our website. Thanks to all of our subscribers for your continuing support, feedback, and kindness!

Coming up next, on October 10, a playful theme from clever creator Juliana Tringali Golden.

Wonkily yours,
Laura and Tracy