The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

Competition clues by Todd Konkel

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Todd Konkel has 11 clues

CompClue wordClueExplanationPosPoints Merits  
2023 Annual Competition232.5  
September 2023MUNGORecycled bits of used gabardine – old made new?(UGOMN)*; &lit. Mungo can refer to the waste of tightly woven fabric such as gabardine (Chambers) or material made from such waste (Collins).5220  3 
May 2023MACGUFFINWhat's initially used in novel for generating conflict – a Maltese falcon, perhaps?(U I N F G C A M F)* (anagrind: perhaps) &lit. The falcon statuette serves as the MacGuffin in Dashiell Hammett's famous novel.823.52  1 
March 2023PANDEMICInitially, pangolins and mice spread global diseaseP + AND + (MICE)*; anagrind is "spread"; ref mice spreading bubonic plague, speculation that pangolins spread COVID-19528.53  3 
 
2022 Annual Competition390.5  
October 2022HOOVEROh? As a cryptic clue, this sucksAs a cryptic clue for OH, HOOVER is poor ("sucks") for two reasons: 1) It consists only of wordplay, no definition; 2) The wordplay is problematic for those who object to such "lift and separate" clues (vice HO OVER). Also ref the action of a Hoover (and, in a potentially meta way, some voters' opinion of this contest entry!).724.52  1 
 
2019 Annual Competition360.5  
July 2019NEVER SAY DIEUnsteady nerves always find rest in encouraging words(NERVES)* + AY (always) + DIE (find rest)916.53 
 
2017 Annual Competition350.5  
January 2017CASHMEREFine wool used to alter hems with care(HEMS + CARE)*719.52  1 
 
2016 Annual Competition135  
May 2016DISMAYEDYes, Dad, I'm confused and afraidanagram of (YES DAD IM)9210  2 
March 2016IMARI (Printer’s Devilry)Clinton unfazed by pressure to win nominationClinton unfazed by primaries, sure to win nomination264.53  4 
January 2016PLAIN-JANEOut in the open, Tarzan's gal appears quite ordinary.Out in the open = plain; Tarzan's gal = Jane.9201  2 
 
2015 Annual Competition390.5  
May 2015MARKET (SPONGE) (Wrong Number)Suffering net loss, drunk tentmaker leaves bazaar(TENTMAKER)* – NET; drunk (n.)7241  3 
 
2014 Annual Competition430.5  
World Cup Special 2014Any 8-letter “PEN” word (Penalty Shoot-out)Messi's mixed up in dodgy sex paymentsEXPENSES/EXMISSSES: Def = "payments"; (MESSIS)* in (SEX)* = EX(MISSSE)S. Not so for Argentina's Golden Boy? Just give him time…622.51  2