c 9246 North 70th Street s R Milwaukee, WI 5322 Report #3 AIG A DEMY May 1990 Dear Member: Herewith you are asked to again vote for members of the Board of Govemors 1990-1992. A prepaid postcard is enclosed for your convenience. This reelection procedure is asked by the present Board for two reasons: I)institor unwittingly left the name of Founder and present President Eugene T. Maleska off the ballot. In meetings with him in November of 1988, Institor misconstrued some chance remarksto indicate that he ‘was too busy for the Academy, hence the “Thanks, but Idonot choose to run,” quote wrongly imputed to him. 2)Under GENERAL COMMENTS, you will note that several members criticized the “Vote for One” stricture (with seven offices to be filled.) ‘The ballot as presented in Report #2 was not pre-approved by any Board member. [Only 40 valid ballots (24% of the total) were returned. It is hoped that this correct, self-mailing ballot will invite a larger response. ‘THESE GENERAL COMMENTS WERE VOLUNTEERED A) Divide the membership into two major segments - 1), others through your reports. For example (A PUBLISHER) state they pay on publication. Last June I signed a release forone of my puzzles published (two months later). Todate Thave not been paid despite several lettersto (EDITOR) and their accounting department... (ANOTHER PUBLISHER), asks for submissions despite the fact they have a backlog of pre-paid puzzles which they have been publishing all through. "89... Also (ANOTHER PUBLISHER) claims to pay on publication. I receive my subscription copy two to three ‘months before the date on the issue, but (THEY) pay for my. puzzles at the end of the month on my copy... other markets so far have paid within a reasonable length of time after publication. All that said, I think the most difficult part of being a constructor is the silent treatment given by the majority of editors. ‘Our reply, in part, to this member, “can only tell you what was reported by those editors (members) seeking puzzles. All those other questions will have to be addressed by Academy members helping on one of the volunteer conunitiees being organized.” Institor cannot speak or the Board, but can venture that the Academy will not, in any way, become aforum for constructor vs. editor differences, nor can they be segregated into two camps, as almost all editors are themselves constructors--with genuine admiration {for their contributors, buying what they determine suits their market--bearing heavy work loads, up against constant deadlines, and with, in many cases, little ifany control over the publisher or the accounting department. As for publication dates Institar knows fram his exnerience in marketinoEditors 2), Constructors. B) [think the Academy isa great idea and look forward to meetings of members. C) Why not offer stationery or note pads with a crossword logo, and the name and addiess of anyone ordering a supply? I know I would (for a price, of course). D) I'm very much in favor of “persuading” publishers to treat puzzle constructors with the same respect as they do other creative people. Why F instance, don’t we get reprint fees for the Sunday (amajor newspaper) puzzles which are reprinted all overthe country the next Saturday - sans byline and sans payment? I'm excited about this organization and thank you for your efforts. E) Keep up the good work! F) ADD TO WORK BY MEMBERS: "50 Diagramless Crosswords” - Walter Covell (Private printing - available direct from constructor, 47 Bowden Ave., Barrington RI 02806. G) You gave me Trude Michel Jaffe’s address regarding L. A. TIMES dailies, but our local newspaper also prints a Sunday puzzle purported to be from the L. A. TIMES, edited by James C. Boldt & Joyce Nichols Lewis. Address? We understand they have a plethora of puzzles at present. H) [ believe the principal endeavor of this organization should be to help its members find new markets - editors’ names, addresses, requirements, payments expected, etc. Even though I am regularly published by what I'd consider 9 of the major markets, I'd like to know of others. That information may not be as easy to come by as you'd suppose. See reply 10 1), below. 1) Many thanks for Report #2. Great! Would it be possible to compile a list of the markets which would answer pertinent questions: Editor's name and address; sizes used; $ paid; do they send acknowledgements; length of time between submission and acceptance/rejection; time between ‘acceptance and publication; paid on acceptance or publication; copies of published work sent to constructor. If the editors donot live up to what they say, we constructors could wam that magazines must publish ahead of a calendar date, and {far too often themselves wait for ad payment well beyond that date. J) L would be interested in a directory of members. The names of members are published in Reports #1 and #2, Many members opted not to have their addresses and phone numbers published. Committees, when organized, will include that information. K) Best of luck with this venture. It looks as though it’s off to a great start. L) May our Academy thrive in the years ahead. With zealous heart and hearty zeal may we, as, individuals, make acontribution to its survival! M) Only 25 comments? The readership is far more vocal when it comes tomonetary (mercenary) reasons! N) Re: the poor response to Report #1, Perhaps we as puzzlers are a strange breed (dare I say rarae avis) and many of us want nothing more than to be left along to disappear among our mountains of reference books, grids, etc. Hopefully, you can lure us away from our hideaways. Hang in there, Mr. Institor, you're a class act! O) Congratulations on establishing the ‘CWP ACademy, and thanks forletting me join. Iwould like toregister my disapproval of the election of Merv Griffin as, First Fellow. It seems to me that any good CWP has more cruciverbalistic merit than the entire “Wheel of Fortune™ show, whose connection to crosswords is tenuous at best. I don’t believe that honoring someone who has made millions from his meager contributions to CWPs is appreciated by those who eam little enough money or recognition for their creations made out of the love of CWPs -- namely the average constructor. Other than that, keep up the good work! Mr. Griffin used to compose all of the puzzles for Wheel, and stil edits them (two shows a day). Granted they are simplistic, but something about them keeps the program No.1 inthe history of TV--and many contestants cite CWP (over, please)Report #3 as their hobby. The Board voted him Fellow--unanimously— for “his contribution to the development of literacy. inspiring) an interest in words, in spelling... (who) has sustained and nourished the public’s fascination for the American phenomenon known as the Crossword Puzzle.” On that subject, it should be noted that not long ago an Academy member appeared on “Wheel” and was introduced as a member of the Crossword Hall of Fame, which he placed in Milwaukee. A member then wrote WBNG-TV, Binghampton, NY, pointing out that he was amember of the CWP Academy, not its Hall of Fame. Institor was called from Griffin Productions, Hollywood, so a letter was sent to all concerned in which was set forth the premise that neither the contestantimember nor Pat Sajak intended 10 mislead, and that “The American Crossword Puzele Academy dad Hall of Fame” is quite a mouthful when in the heat of those bright lights. Note: If you plan to be in the L.A. area, «and would like to appear on “Wheel,” call or write Institor ‘for information on how to proceed. P) Just from the material I have received in the last few months I am beginning to appreciate the Herculean task ‘ahead for the “Academy.” Good luck! Perhaps members could contribute a 15 X 15 tocreate acommemorative book to be sold to the general public which would also be promotional for the Academy. Q) I'd like to add my thanks for all you are doing on our behalf... a bit distressed to note the importance placed by one member on keeping the black squares... at no more than 1/6th...a fine ideal... (but) even ‘more important is that the puzzle be fun... (to) include as many theme entries as possible... editors should... decide what trade-offs are worth making... (10) give the solver a good time. Although Ihave marked my ballot for just one candidate, I’m unhappy that we weren't encouraged to vote for SEVEN... afterall, there are to be seven members of the Board... (it’s) the only sure way to avoid leaving off the FIRST ANNUAL MEETING PROPOSED FOR NYC, Saturday, September 15th. There was a range of responses reameeting date/site, but hugely in favor of Manhattan, and preponderantly pointing to the Fall (Good weather, most people home from vacation”). December 21st, the winter solstice, (“to evoke an artful and W ynning spirit;), wasiiced, and the summer solstice, June 21st, was in conflict wit other events, so the Board proposes mid-September, consonant with the annual NY Book Fair. Bylaws provide June 2ist for the installation of a new Board, and by ‘September 15th, the two Boards, new and old, will have ad hoc met together to set short- and long-term goals. To obtain a meeting place of any quality, such as the Harvard Club, a minimum of 50 attendees is required forthe club to staff a weekend event. Please respond, in the space provided on the postcard, if you plan to ATTEND 9/15 MTG.? An annual QUICK-BROWN FOX Pangram Contest?? Some of the Govemors approveda 1990 contest, rules to be announced in Report #4 -- open to members only for the best sentence using all letters of the alphabet, to be judged by a well-known word maven. The Top Ten sentences would then -- around the date of December 21 -- be publicized as a syndicated feature (a la David Letterman's Top Ten Things), to help fund the Academy exchequer, (a small fee required with each entry). One Board member rightly pointed out that this type of contest-- although there may be no end to pangrams -- has been held not afew times before. So such a contest is up for grabs. If you'd like to see the Academy run such, and you'd submit at least one entry, please vote PANGRAM CONTEST? on the postcard FUNDING THE ACADEMY EXCHEQUER. Bylawsthird choice. R) Report #2 gets high marks again... but for heaven’s sake, why only one vote per member? Suppose everybody votes for So-and-so? Seven or eight would be far better. $) 1am thinking that if everybody casts his vote for What’s-his-name, then we will have a Board of one. ‘Well, that should keep the meetings short, anyway. T) (Then, a phone call from a Board member with the opinion that “Vote for One” was just plain dumb.) OUR SPECIAL THANKS to Founder and Board Member Mel Taub, Brooklyn, upon whom was bestowed the duty of ‘Academy Treasurer. After considerable effort in complying, with all ofthe details a bank requiresto open this type of tax- exempt account, itis #0110 3599 at Amalgamated Bank of New York, 11-15 Union Square (at 15th Street), New York NY 10003. To maintain at a “no service fee” status, the balance must be keptabove aminimums$ 1,000.00. Nothing, has been drawn against the first dues deposited except for costs associated with its establishment: fees, checks printed, and charges for three checks retuned, with a present balance just under $1,650.00. Member Ken Witte, Fayetteville, AR, writes, “Regarding the geographic demographics of the Academy membership, the map is empty for the state of Arkansas. I'm wondering if the dot found in Arizona belongs in Arkansas.” YS, it does. Would all members remove the dot in AZ and place it in AR? Sorry to ER that way. suffice to sustain Academy operations. Do you have any contest or other ideas to generate funds? In COMMENTS, member P) suggests contributions to an Academy commemorative book of puzzles. Editor members can advise how that would jibe with commitments to their publishers. Also, bylaws Suggest “to license the imprimatur (Sanctioned by... Endorsed by) The American Crossword Puzzle Academy.” One ortwo products planned are asking for an endorsement. Have any members made it known to publishers or game companies that the imprimatur is available? THE ACADEMY LOGOTYPE. Institor has asked for ideas, and has paid mas qué poco dinero for various treatments on the Wynne 13 X 13 diamond... adifficult grid for so many even-numbered words. One logo with HALL, Down, and OFAME, Across, was roundly criticized for its O’Irishelision. A new design, to be presented in Report #4, is less crowded and may be just the seal sought. Allvotesare private, but asa reassurance, you may not want to sign your postcard. In that case, please send your identifiably good ideas by separate letter. This includes your indicating an interest in serving on a committee to assist with Academy matters. These are - Marketing: I. Hall of Fame: Il. Archives: III. Membership: IV. Other (specify): V. Academically yoprs, sony © 1990 All ights reserved