On the assumption someone has actually attempted and finished this, I hope it was enjoyable. Very happy to hear any feedback anyone may have - good, bad, otherwise! Cheers
JD53 25:37 · 2024-05-03T03:47:52.397Z
That crossword was Fairly Unabashedly Nice (I snuck in a cryptic of my own, very tricky to notice).
Hey, some really nice stuff in there, especially for a first time! I do have some little bits of feedback and advice, feel free to take it or leave it!
Generally indirect anagrams are considered unfair (e.g. ANT* in 1A and CON* in 8D), even if they’re the most common abbreviation. British cryptics sometimes include single letter abbreviations in anagram fodder, but usually only where it’s unambiguous (e.g. Engineer about run in distorted rhythm (6) for RUBATO = ABOUTR*, where run is unambiguously R)
A few of your definitions aren’t precise, e.g. 6D, “Most recent” defines NEWEST, “More recent” would define NEWER. Similar in 17D, 19D (“One extremely famous” would be more precise, as MEGASTAR is a noun).
Make sure your wordplay is always rock solid — e.g. in 10D, where is the indication that you must double up the “heads of law enforcement”?
But you have some really nice stuff in there, I really like 12A, 15A, 3D among others, and I love the definitions in 25A and 5D! Please don’t take this as negative, it was an enjoyable solve and I hope to see more from you! :)