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Constructing => General Discussion => Topic started by: balder on February 05, 2010, 12:20:20 PM

Title: ASANEEL: publishable?
Post by: balder on February 05, 2010, 12:20:20 PM
I'm trying to rework some fill  in a puzzle with AS AN EEL (clues as [Kind of slippery?]) as the most questionable entry. I thought it might be seen as a clever entry, but it could also be seen as sub-par. Maybe the clue could be better, or maybe I should just scrap it? I'm interested in hearing what others might think about it. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

-Benny
Title: Re: ASANEEL: publishable?
Post by: sonofagun on February 05, 2010, 02:58:45 PM
SLIPPERY AS AN EEL would be great. However, AS AN EEL is a 7 letter partial and it will never fly.
Title: Re: ASANEEL: publishable?
Post by: jorkel on February 07, 2010, 12:25:37 PM
ASANEEL has appeared in at least one published puzzle -- but not among the top tier of publishers.  NYT likes partials to be 5 letters or shorter (sometime 6 letters in tough circumstances).  LAT allows partials to be 6 letters or shorter (sometimes 7 letters, but I'm not sure whether this has changed).  I think some other venues may allow an occasional 7-letter partial. 

As a general rule, I would try to rework a region that contains a 7-letter partial.
-Joe Krozel