Closure Of The Lady/Maybe Keeping The Puzzles Going

[BertBaker]

Hi all - I am (or was) the chap who compiles puzzles for The Lady, including the somewhat bizarrely named Ladygram (which used to be called The Leadergram, and migrated to The Lady from another, long-defunct publication). Just found out today (after everyone else, it seems) about the mag going into liquidation… and I was already having a crap week!

I know a lot of readers used to buy the mag largely (and in some cases solely) for the puzzles, and in particular The Ladygram, which is pretty unique, and if possible – and assuming there's enough interest – I'd love to keep them going, in some form at least, perhaps via email (at least initially). So if anyone here (Lady readers or others) would be interested in that, you can let me know at [email protected] (I hope I'm allowed to give an email address here).

Frustratingly, I have no way of contacting readers directly – and it seems I can't even comment on the Daily Mail story about the magazine folding. Short of turning myself into a human billboard and ascending a crane or something, I don't know how I can get the word out! There could be several hundred or maybe even a couple of thousand (soon to be former) Lady readers who'd be willing to subscribe to a monthly puzzles-by-email service, but unless I can reach them...

[Captain2]

Sorry to hear your bad news, BertBaker and can only wish you well.

I think we only have one lady (Gypsyjazz) who asks for help now and again. Hopefully if she sees your post she may be able to give you some encouraging words.

(If I see her around, I will point her in the direction of this post).

[BertBaker]

Thanks Captain2. Well, at least now my week couldn't possibly get any worse… right? :)

Realistically, it's looking like the only way I could reach enough people would be via a list of subscribers' contact info, which maybe I'll be able to obtain through negotiation with the liquidator… Too early to tell yet.

Alternatively, I might be able to interest another publication in a Ladygram-type puzzle, but again, I'll have to wait for the liquidation to move forward first.

[BertBaker]

An update, for anyone interested: I've now set up a Patreon page, where people can subscribe to receive my puzzles every month – including QuoteBox, a spiritual successor to The Ladygram! For the uninitiated, it's sort of like a cryptic crossword, except instead of filling out a grid you gradually reveal a quote (which is a giant anagram of all the answers collectively).

https://www.patreon.com/BertBakerPuzzles

There's a free sample puzzle there, so, yeah, give it a try, if you like :) I don't think there's anything else out there quite like it, plus I reckon my clues have more personality than you're going to get from, say, a giant content farm…

Not sure if I'll be able to reach/attract enough people to keep the thing going long-term, but I'll never know if I don't try! (I may eventually be able to find a new offline home for a Ladygram-type puzzle too, but there's no guarantee I will.)

[Captain2]

Good luck with your initiative Bert. I'll have a go at your link and if I see Gypsyjazz around I'll point her in this dirwection.

[BertBaker]

Thanks again, Captain2 :)