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Ophelia R. M. Banks

Accidental Cruciverbalist

Ophelia Banks had no early ambition to be a crosswords constructor; it came as a gift. After matriculating at Fort Valley State University and Dillard University, R.M. set to the course which seemed calling her of raising a family (“my most important puzzle”) and pursuing her passion of working with special needs children. One day, her eight-year-old niece surprised her with a somewhat off-the-wall request: she asked that Ophelia create a crossword puzzle with the niece’s first name in one place and her middle in another as the niece’s present for her upcoming birthday. She was adamant she didn’t want any other gift. Ophelia accepted the request, but fulfilling it wasn’t easy—certainly not initially.

Ophelia kept at it. She says her breakthrough came with recognizing certain letter patterns with many words, such as the ways they ended, how certain letters needed other letters in particular situations, and so forth. After a few hours (over several days) of trial and error, the birthday puzzle—albeit small—was done. And Ophelia moved on to other matters.

Months later—still reflecting on and glowing with making the birthday puzzle—Ophelia realized the challenge of creating was more fun than the challenge of solving. She picked up a couple of books to learn a few more keys to the process. Within the year she was creating a monthly puzzle for a local newspaper, which led to a request from a regional magazine for their own monthly puzzle. The rest is “her”story, though she likes to keep it low key and works under a pen name.

Ophelia the cruciverbalist is herself a bit of a puzzle when it comes to her extreme reluctance to discuss her gift. She says she never thought of herself as nerdy or a wordsmith, that this aspect of her life is most unlikely. “To be at this point today—this whole thing is unbelievable. I mean, and this is kinda weird, but I can’t believe I actually do this. It seems unreal.” Fine, but we have the receipts, or maybe we should say crossword solvers have the receipts. Two areas of focus are always priorities: family and special kids. But we don’t need all of Ophelia’s attention, just enough to allow us to share in her gift.

Contacting AAP.com

Email : jerrygrayson@sepiafeatures.com

Website : AfricanAmericanPuzzles.com

About the Publisher

Sepia Features

1996 - Present

The very first copy of "African American Crossword Puzzles and Other Word Games" was published in 1996. The gracious and generous Dale Marshall and BNIN were invaluable in that first publication making it to print. The internet was still a dial-up experience and Google didn't exist (at least, not as a public entity). But not long after the book went to press it was available (1997) to the general public through the still-fledgling enterprise called Amazon. (That original posting still exists.)

Over the past 25 years Sepia Features has produced other crosswords to different markets, but the call to return to African American Crosswords, with a new and varying perspective on puzzle-making, couldn't be resisted.

The company now has a series of African American Crosswords offerings lined up, beginning with a special edition in early November, '24. Can't get into detail just yet but puzzlers will be schooled, for sure.

Because so much has changed since that first publication, Sepia is also taking advantage of the ability to provide entertainment, enlightement and engagement with Sepia's puzzle-related videos. (Click the "VIDEOS" link.) There's a lot to say; not all of it on the page. Enjoy.

And Dale, if you happen across this, email, please.