Meet the Rhode Islander Who Crafted a New York Times Crossword Puzzle This Week
Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Sue Fracker (right) was joined by Laura Burkett (left) in celebrating the publication of her crossword. PHOTO: Fracker
This week, Pawtucket resident Sue Fracker was tapped by the publication to provide her own puzzle for likely upward of a million readers.
Fracker was the 55th puzzle “constructor” to debut in 2022, according to the Times.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“This crossword puzzle has all the elements of an excellent one: a clever use of circles, a fun revealer, neat fill and some standout clues,” said the Times of running the crossword made by Fracker. “It also has all the elements of a crossword puzzle, period.”
GoLocal spoke with Fracker about the honor — and the celebrations.
“I started building my own crosswords a couple of years ago during COVID,” said Fracker, who said she's been doing crosswords for over 30 years. “I thought it was a bit crazy to shoot for the New York Times…but I did.”
Fracker said she submitted “maybe 11 or 12” crosswords to the publication in the past, and that her persistence finally paid off this summer.
“My first ‘rejection’ was one of the best I’ve ever gotten,” said Fracker, laughing, adding that the feedback from the Times staff helped her with improving her crossword-construction game.
It was in June, however, that Fracker learned she finally made the “cut” — and would be published this week.
Jubilation -- and French Toast
A top marketing executive in the professional golf world, Fracker’s social media exploded on Tuesday, when she heard from friends from all over congratulating her on making the Times.
And Fracker celebrated in true Rhode Island fashion.
“We went to the Modern Diner to celebrate over breakfast, “ said Fracker, who said that she had 15 friends join her — and she had the French toast.
“Someone joked I should have incorporated ‘calamari’ into the puzzle,” said Fracker.
When Fracker spoke with GoLocal Tuesday afternoon, she said there were plans in the works to continue the celebrations at The Guild.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Fracker plans to decamp to her residence with her partner at the Bayley Street Lofts — and start working on her next crossword.
“My goal is to have a Sunday crossword published in the New York Times,” said Fracker.
Her crossword was published in the Times print edition; it is available online to Times subscribers.
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