Alys Cummings
@alyseliza.bsky.social
Makes documentaries 🎥 loves crosswords 🖊️ reads novels 📚 writes ✍️ Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect 2024 🥇New Writing North Emerging Creative Associate ⬆️
Debut novel Murder Most Cryptic published October 2026 by Penguin Michael Joseph 🐧
Lives North East 🌊🌅
Debut novel Murder Most Cryptic published October 2026 by Penguin Michael Joseph 🐧
Lives North East 🌊🌅
Reposted by Alys Cummings
It's the last Sunday of the month so #cryptic #crossword folks and others can start stocking up on their #trivia fix from the latest #OffGridPod at offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/11/30/m...
Midwinter Training Gazebo – Ep. 64 - Off-Grid
In which we erect a Midwinter Training Gazebo, set Liverpool ablaze, play some riffs, get stuffed, and look up at the lights.
offgrid.tlmb.net
November 30, 2025 at 2:29 PM
It's the last Sunday of the month so #cryptic #crossword folks and others can start stocking up on their #trivia fix from the latest #OffGridPod at offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/11/30/m...
It was a pleasure to be the General’s chief researcher on this episode of the very enjoyable Off-Grid podcast. Crossword inspired…but no prior knowledge required!
#OffGridPod
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/11/30/m...
#OffGridPod
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/11/30/m...
Midwinter Training Gazebo – Ep. 64 - Off-Grid
In which we erect a Midwinter Training Gazebo, set Liverpool ablaze, play some riffs, get stuffed, and look up at the lights.
offgrid.tlmb.net
November 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It was a pleasure to be the General’s chief researcher on this episode of the very enjoyable Off-Grid podcast. Crossword inspired…but no prior knowledge required!
#OffGridPod
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/11/30/m...
#OffGridPod
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/11/30/m...
Reposted by Alys Cummings
Perfect Tom Stoppard story from DTel obituary:
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
November 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Perfect Tom Stoppard story from DTel obituary:
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
His response to a letter from Harold Pinter canvassing support for a proposal to have the Comedy Theatre in London rechristened the Pinter Theatre, “Have you thought, instead, of changing your name to Harold Comedy?”
What a gorgeous idea!
I’ve capacity for two more commissions this year - all the books you/your partner has read this year, in miniature, in an antique upcycled book.
If this of interest, please do make contact!
If this of interest, please do make contact!
November 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
What a gorgeous idea!
Reposted by Alys Cummings
Next #offgridpod features this crossword. Not required, but: solve in advance to avoid spoilers. https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29836
Cryptic crossword No 29,836
Cryptic crossword No 29,836
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Next #offgridpod features this crossword. Not required, but: solve in advance to avoid spoilers. https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29836
Reposted by Alys Cummings
Our latest podcast has landed and this week it’s all about resilience over rejection. We have a great success story too. Don’t miss this brilliant episode with writer Louise Beech. Plus this week we have another brilliant book rec from @bexbookaholic.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Don't Give Up on It Baby with Louise Beech
Podcast Episode · The Tortured Writers Podcast · 28/11/2025 · 45m
podcasts.apple.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Our latest podcast has landed and this week it’s all about resilience over rejection. We have a great success story too. Don’t miss this brilliant episode with writer Louise Beech. Plus this week we have another brilliant book rec from @bexbookaholic.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
Reposted by Alys Cummings
Sometimes, you just need to sit on a bench with a friend. (Marmalade sandwich optional).
Spotted today at #GeekFest in The Mander Centre, Wolverhampton. 💕
#LittleMomentsOfLovely
Spotted today at #GeekFest in The Mander Centre, Wolverhampton. 💕
#LittleMomentsOfLovely
November 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Sometimes, you just need to sit on a bench with a friend. (Marmalade sandwich optional).
Spotted today at #GeekFest in The Mander Centre, Wolverhampton. 💕
#LittleMomentsOfLovely
Spotted today at #GeekFest in The Mander Centre, Wolverhampton. 💕
#LittleMomentsOfLovely
Reposted by Alys Cummings
Unch Crossword Magazine
Unch, the clued-up crossword magazine
unchcrosswords.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Reposted by Alys Cummings
HUGE NEWS: Daily Mail owner strikes £500m deal to buy Telegraph titles.
A massive bid to redraw the British press. Big political and competition questions lie ahead:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
A massive bid to redraw the British press. Big political and competition questions lie ahead:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Daily Mail owner strikes £500m deal to buy Telegraph titles
Acquisition likely to trigger in-depth investigation by regulator after agreement between DMGT and Redbird IMI
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:04 AM
HUGE NEWS: Daily Mail owner strikes £500m deal to buy Telegraph titles.
A massive bid to redraw the British press. Big political and competition questions lie ahead:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
A massive bid to redraw the British press. Big political and competition questions lie ahead:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
I’ll just pop out quickly before it starts snowing again…. ⛄️
November 20, 2025 at 8:42 AM
I’ll just pop out quickly before it starts snowing again…. ⛄️
Well, that trip to Sunderland Empire definitely brightened up a wet Wednesday afternoon in November 🎶 🎩 💃🏻
‘Heaven, I'm in heaven. And the cares that hung around me through the week, seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak…’
‘Heaven, I'm in heaven. And the cares that hung around me through the week, seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak…’
November 19, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Well, that trip to Sunderland Empire definitely brightened up a wet Wednesday afternoon in November 🎶 🎩 💃🏻
‘Heaven, I'm in heaven. And the cares that hung around me through the week, seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak…’
‘Heaven, I'm in heaven. And the cares that hung around me through the week, seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak…’
Reposted by Alys Cummings
Puzzlers! Solve a present problem and do your bit for BBC Children in Need Day: www.fifteensquared.net/2025/11/14/3... #BBCChildrenInNeed @rnib.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Puzzlers! Solve a present problem and do your bit for BBC Children in Need Day: www.fifteensquared.net/2025/11/14/3... #BBCChildrenInNeed @rnib.bsky.social
Hanging out in Sherwood this afternoon, having a right old laugh
November 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Hanging out in Sherwood this afternoon, having a right old laugh
Reposted by Alys Cummings
At 51, Rian Johnson is a Hollywood rarity: a writer-director with a singular vision, able to turn his oddball, idiosyncratic stories into blockbuster hits. The success of “Knives Out” cemented Johnson’s status as an Agatha Christie for the Netflix age. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/kPbcBb
Rian Johnson Is an Agatha Christie for the Netflix Age
The director revived the cozy mystery with “Knives Out.” In a new sequel, can he find his way to the end of the maze?
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
At 51, Rian Johnson is a Hollywood rarity: a writer-director with a singular vision, able to turn his oddball, idiosyncratic stories into blockbuster hits. The success of “Knives Out” cemented Johnson’s status as an Agatha Christie for the Netflix age. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/kPbcBb
Reposted by Alys Cummings
The Seasonal Reposting Competition is coming! Return here on Friday for a chance to win a signed copy of one of my books ...
For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 @theguardian.com #puzzles and the stories behind them:
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 @theguardian.com #puzzles and the stories behind them:
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
November 10, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The Seasonal Reposting Competition is coming! Return here on Friday for a chance to win a signed copy of one of my books ...
For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 @theguardian.com #puzzles and the stories behind them:
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 @theguardian.com #puzzles and the stories behind them:
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
New blog post ✍️ 🧩 www.alyscummings.com/post/cryptic...
Cryptics: a new newsletter, a new magazine
Crosswords had a real boom in the Golden Age of mystery writing in the 1920s and 30s - and it feels as if mystery novels and crosswords are in a big period of growth again, 100 years on. I am very muc...
www.alyscummings.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
New blog post ✍️ 🧩 www.alyscummings.com/post/cryptic...
Awesome night at Uncanny: Fear of the Dark with @dannyrobins.bsky.social 👻
The Newcastle audience’s own ghost stories were definitely some of the most head scratching…even if I was the lone soul to change my opinion 😬
And a new book to boot 😊
The Newcastle audience’s own ghost stories were definitely some of the most head scratching…even if I was the lone soul to change my opinion 😬
And a new book to boot 😊
November 9, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Awesome night at Uncanny: Fear of the Dark with @dannyrobins.bsky.social 👻
The Newcastle audience’s own ghost stories were definitely some of the most head scratching…even if I was the lone soul to change my opinion 😬
And a new book to boot 😊
The Newcastle audience’s own ghost stories were definitely some of the most head scratching…even if I was the lone soul to change my opinion 😬
And a new book to boot 😊
Reposted by Alys Cummings
ADAM AND EVE (Anagrammed Lines)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
November 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
ADAM AND EVE (Anagrammed Lines)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
Reposted by Alys Cummings
November 3, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Reposted by Alys Cummings
On this Halloween, a reminder that a sculptor included a Xenomorph gargoyle during the 1990s restoration of Paisley Abbey
October 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
On this Halloween, a reminder that a sculptor included a Xenomorph gargoyle during the 1990s restoration of Paisley Abbey
🇫🇷 👌🏻
A French cyclist survived for three days after a horrendous 130-foot fall into a ravine, kept alive by the bottles of red wine he had in his shopping bag, police said.
Cyclist falls down 130-foot ravine in France, survives 3 days by drinking wine he had in shopping bag
A helicopter airlifted him to hospital, with a rescue doctor calling his survival "a miracle."
cbsn.ws
October 31, 2025 at 7:20 PM
🇫🇷 👌🏻