Puzzles, posts, news and general word-chat.

Diabolically Arcane

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Q: What Has Leaves But No Bark?

5 August, 2015

The dog knew, barking at the postie. This was a parcel of destiny. Sure enough, peeling off the bubble wrap, I found my latest wordplay adventure, Riddledom, all 300 handsome pages, all 50 languages...

Riddledom is due to reach the bookstores later this month. Look for the mazy cover, and the 101 offbeat chapters, exploring slave songs, robot software, demented squirrels and a slew of other riddle-tangents. I hope you have fun getting lost.

Spreading the good words, I'll be nomadic in coming months. Here's a checklist of events and launches if you're nearby: 

Sat/Sun August 8/9 - Bendigo Writers' Festival: talking about deceptive words with Macquarie Dictionary's Sue Butler.

Sun August 23 - Melbourne Riddle Walk: ambling the bluestone alleys armed with enigmas, folklore & prizes. Tickets limited.

Sat/Sun August 29/30 - Melbourne Writers' Fest: four events in total, talking whodunits, creepy tales, morning papers and Riddledom.

Sat/Sun September 5/6 - Brisbane Writers' Fest: three events including a cryptic masterclass & a Cluetopia conversation

As more events bob up, I'll let you know. Especially for you Harbour Citizens. Plus any riddle gigs on the media carousel across spring. This post is just my squee: had to let you know the exciting news. Riddledom is ready to rumble!

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Rewording The Brain

Focus & memory, lateral leaps & logic - every aspect of cognitive health is lit in Rewording The Brain, a book revelling in how puzzles boost your brain. Part 2 equips your brain to conquer any twisty clue, plus the wild crossword finale. Pop science meets neural gameplay, Rewording is rewarding, and out now.

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Rewording The Brain

Care to renew your noodle? Rewording The Brain explores the latest neural studies, seeing how puzzles (and twisty clues) boost your neurons. Part 2 helps you crack such clues, and prep the grey matter for the crossword showcase to finish. More here

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101 Weird Words (and 3 Fakes)

From Ambidextrous to Zugwang, this mini-dictionary teems with rare or alluring words, plus bonus riddles, puzzles and fun word-facts. Dictionary detective will also nab the collection's three fakes. Ideal for late primary schoolers, or word-nuts in general.

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Gargantuan Book of Words

Sneeze words. Fake pasta. Viking slang. Gargantuan is a jumbo jumble of puzzles & games, mazes & quizzes, tailor-made for that wordy wonderkid in your life. Or anyone in love with letters, secret codes, puns, rhymes, emoji & all things languagey. More here 

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Recent Comments

Riddledom Rave

If you missed my riddle chat with Richard Fidler, then feel free to slurp the podcast at http://ab.co/1I9t1x5

Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
OBVS I'm fine with it
Entrenched stuff - like LOL and OMG - but no more.
Words With Friends, maybe. Scrabble, no
Let the 'real' dictionaries decide first
Just the handy stuff, like FAQ and EUW
I mean, WTF?! No way
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