BEWARE!

As you may know from some of my previous praxes, I was really into crosswords for a while. I'm still into crosswords, but not in as a big a way. Anyhow, back when I was really into crosswords, I sat down and actually made a crossword. This is harder than it sounds, and in fact despite efforts, I haven't been able to duplicate the attempt.

That may be because this crossword is no ordinary crossword. It is an evil crossword, a PURE EVIL crossword.

So evil, in fact, that it was rejected, out of sheer terror, by none other than Will Shortz himself, editor of the New York Times puzzles. This is true.

So, be warned: Solve at your own peril. This crossword was the inspiration for at least one of H.P. Lovecraft's stories- that I know of- and there is increasing evidence that Edvard Munch's "The Scream" was a response to this puzzle.

TURN BACK NOW


If you are foolish, and do wish to solve it, you have a few options:

1. The clues are in the proof here and the grid is attached as an image. Use these however you see fit.
2. The grid and clues are in a .rtf file, ready to print from Word and solve with pencil. I urge you to avoid using pen. I absolve myself of any resultant apocalypse.
3. The easiest way to solve would be in Across Lite, which is very lightweight and can be downloaded here. Unfortunately, I can't upload the puzzle file to sf0, but find me on Skype (darkaardvark1) or message me and I'll get the file to you.


In all seriousness, quite a lot of effort went into making this puzzle, and editing, including a peer edit by someone who is regularly published in the New York Times. I hope at least some of you will take the time to look it over. I'll give out the solution to anyone whose interested and anyone who actually solves this thing will have my undying respect and gratitude.

ABANDON ALL HOPE


Across
1. Representatives are sent there – 7. Baker's amt. – 11. Poetry's cousin – 14. Step gaily – 15. "___ Window" (Hitchcock thriller) – 16. "Dracula" director Browning – 17. John of football commentary – 18. Salinger title girl – 19. One was written on an urn – 20. ___ in the neck – 21. Conservative institute – 22. Largest of the Marianas – 23. It may be lost in stressful times – 24. Native Oklahomans – 25. Major and Minor constellation – 26. Biblical birthright seller – 28. Bit of truth – 30. Tack on – 33. Frigid – 35. Macho bodybuilder – 39. Consider the options, or a title for this puzzle – 44. Follow as a result – 45. Hub northwest of L.A. – 46. ___ bind (stuck) – 47. Boring tools – 50. Gp. with many barrels – 53. California vulture – 56. Eye lasciviously – 58. "Sure!" – 62. Pal on the range – 63. Armenian composer Khachaturian – 64. Mimicry – 65. Noshed – 66. Send out – 67. Swore – 68. 'Mr. Anderson', in "The Matrix" – 69. Sir, to a lady – 70. Go-____ – 71. Start of start – 72. ___ of Wight – 73. It shares the Diomede Islands with Russia.

Down
1. Set-builder – 2. Vine fruit – 3. WWII detection invention – 4. Belgian green – 5. Act divisions – 6. Hatch or Reid: Abbr. – 7. Take out to dinner, say – 8. Greatest hits collection – 9. Indian appetizer – 10. Heated opener – 11. Map that shows elevation – 12. Pops in the Northeast – 13. Plant swelling – 21. Freud's furniture – 22. ___ Tag – 27. Island in a river – 29. Half a dance? – 30. Stunned admiration – 31. Lion's haunt – 32. Belittle, slangily – 34. Not no – 36. Start of the 16th century – 37. Where "Kiss the Cook" is
written – 38. CIA counterpart – 40. Watch over – 41. Carve, perhaps from stone – 42. Refuse to go againt the grain – 43. Soak (up) – 48. Camel cousins – 49. Story published piecemeal – 51. Crown cover – 52. Per ___ – 53. Grill gas – 54. Goes out with – 55. Dunkable cookies – 57. Alice's cake's command – 59. Tries out – 60. Stream – 61. Beast of Hercules' second labor – 66. Record company of Abbey Road: Abbr. – 67. Line dance.