LA Times 101 - first time submissions

[Hysc]

Good afternoon all -

I have some remedial questions about submitting to the LA Times.  I've only ever submitted to the NYT (5 rejections and counting!).  My most recent rejection is a Sunday puzzle that I feel is strong enough to submit out again. 

 -- When reading the submission guidelines, I noted the instruction of including citations/references for answers, which I've never done before.  (https://www.cruciverb.com/index.php?action=ezportal;sa=page;p=71 ). Has anyone posted an example of the format for submitting to the LAT with references included?

-- Relatedly, I use Crossfire for construction.  Which of the offered file formats should I use for my submission to the LAT ("puzzle image" "solution image" (in the save as menu) vs "NYT submission" (in the print as menu).

-- My submission is tied to a particular holiday, but given turnaround times I am probably too late for 2025.  Should I hold off on the submission to 4 months in advance next year or simply note the timing in the cover email and ask for the submission to be considered for the next time the holiday rolls around?

Thanks in advance for any advice. And if there's a good thread elsewhere in this excellent forum I should consult please let me know (my clumsy searching didn't turn up anything on point)

[codaffy]

Good afternoon all -

I have some remedial questions about submitting to the LA Times.  I've only ever submitted to the NYT (5 rejections and counting!).  My most recent rejection is a Sunday puzzle that I feel is strong enough to submit out again. 

 -- When reading the submission guidelines, I noted the instruction of including citations/references for answers, which I've never done before.  (https://www.cruciverb.com/index.php?action=ezportal;Escape Road;sa=page;p=71 ). Has anyone posted an example of the format for submitting to the LAT with references included?

-- Relatedly, I use Crossfire for construction.  Which of the offered file formats should I use for my submission to the LAT ("puzzle image" "solution image" (in the save as menu) vs "NYT submission" (in the print as menu).

-- My submission is tied to a particular holiday, but given turnaround times I am probably too late for 2025.  Should I hold off on the submission to 4 months in advance next year or simply note the timing in the cover email and ask for the submission to be considered for the next time the holiday rolls around?

Thanks in advance for any advice. And if there's a good thread elsewhere in this excellent forum I should consult please let me know (my clumsy searching didn't turn up anything on point)

Submitting a holiday-themed puzzle can be tricky with turnaround times. I'd recommend including a note in your email explicitly tying it to the holiday.

[RoseBL]

For submitting to the LA Times:

Citations/References: Include references for answers, like books or websites. Follow their guidelines by listing them clearly after the grid or within the puzzle.
agar io
File Format: Use the "NYT submission" format for your Crossfire export. Also, send both "puzzle image" and "solution image" if requested.

Holiday Puzzle: In your cover letter, mention that the puzzle is holiday-themed and suggest considering it for the following year if it's too late for this one.

Good luck with your submission!

[Hysc]

Thanks for this guidance.  Appreciated.