CRUCIVERB.COM

Constructing => General Discussion => Topic started by: louielarry on January 27, 2009, 03:00:47 PM

Title: Will a publisher take a puzzle that has a clue referring to Hitler's secretary?
Post by: louielarry on January 27, 2009, 03:00:47 PM

Hi.  I'm also a beginner puzzle constructor.  I have a puzzle I think is ready to go except for a concern I have over the answer, GERDAS.  I have tried several times to change this answer but seem to be stuck with the G-E-R-D for sure.  I wanted to use it with the clue, "Hitler's secretary, Christian, and others".  I didn't know if Hitler was a forbidden reference for a crossword puzzle -- sort of like a disease.   Any thoughts?  Thanks.

Title: Re: Will a publisher take a puzzle that has a clue referring to Hitler's secreta
Post by: Alex Boisvert on January 28, 2009, 12:55:38 AM

Hey.
Hitler has been used in a few clues (http://www.cruciverb.com/data.php?pattern=*&clueword=hitler&o=answer&op=searchclues_result) over the years, so I don't think that would be a problem.  The bigger problem from my pount of view, is that the name is just not well-known enough.  Couple that with the fact that editors don't like plurals of names as it is, and you've got a problem.

If it were me, I would rework the grid to get rid of that area.  Sorry ...

Title: Re: Will a publisher take a puzzle that has a clue referring to Hitler's secreta
Post by: louielarry on January 28, 2009, 09:01:58 AM

Thanks.  I appreciate the advice.  I'll take another look at it.