Too many black squares?

[jkaskel]

Will the NYT (or LAT, Universal Crosswords for that matter) reject a puzzle out of hand for having 42 black squares? Or are they willing to make an allowance, if the puzzle excites them enough?

[vicentewilson]

Traditionally, many publications aim for a balance in the number of black squares. For example, the NYT typically prefers puzzles with fewer than 36 black squares for standard-sized grids (15x15). Puzzles with 42 black squares would generally be considered excessive. While there are guidelines, the quality of the puzzle can sometimes outweigh strict adherence to these rules. If a puzzle is particularly innovative, engaging, or has a compelling theme, editors may be more willing to overlook the black square count.