Basic Rules

[anax]

The style we're looking for is essentially Ximenean, although what's more important is that clues are imaginative and of a type that would sit well in a Times crossword.

Please do not use offensive language. Some moderately risque vocabulary within clues is fine, but deliberate use of foul language isn't, and offending posts will be removed.

Please try to keep postings short and, ideally, in the following format:

Clue + enumeration (for ease of reference, please set a different font colour for this bit - it's easier for judging)
Explanation of wordplay
A few lines of additional stuff is OK, but please bear in mind that whoever is doing the judging won't want to scroll through swathes of text looking for clues.

Judging takes place at the end of every week - USUALLY. It can't always be so. Our contributors are scattered across the globe and all have lives to lead. Friday night judging announcements tend to be there or thereabouts; a day or two later is by no means rare.

We operate a winner-stays-on policy. Thus, the writer of one week's winning clue sets the next challenge and votes for the best entry. This judge may submit clues, but should generally hold back until his/her vote has been cast (and, of course, a judge's offerings are not considered within candidates).