An Evening with the Puzzle Master

NPR’s Will Shortz will deliver a lively, interactive presentation Sept. 12

Puzzle master Will Shortz will discuss his favorite crosswords, how crosswords are created, the history of crosswords, and his lifelong passion for puzzles in general on Sept. 12, 7 p.m., at Ted Mann Concert Hall on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota campus.

In “An Evening with the Puzzle Master,” Shortz will also answer questions about puzzles and conduct audience-participation word games in an informative, fun, and brain-stimulating program. The event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries and The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. To celebrate the ongoing success of the Minnesota Crossword Tournament, members of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library will receive a $5 discount on tickets.

Shortz has been the puzzle master for National Public Radio’s “Weekend Edition Sunday” since 1987. He’s also been the crossword editor of The New York Times since 1993. In fact, Shortz is the world’s only academically accredited puzzle master. He designed his own major program at Indiana University, which led in 1974 to his one-of-a-kind degree in Enigmatology, the study of puzzles.

Shortz has been editor of Games magazine for 15 years, and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, which has been held annually since 1978. He also founded the World Puzzle Championship in 1992, and co-founded the World Puzzle Federation in 1999. Shortz wrote the riddles for the film “Batman Forever” and has guest-starred in episodes of “The Simpsons” and “How I Met Your Mother,” in each case playing himself. He was also the subject of the 2006 award-winning documentary film “Wordplay.”

More about Will Shortz at willshortz.com.

What: “An Evening with the Puzzle Master,” Will Shortz

When: Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, 7 p.m.

Where: Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth St. S., Minneapolis

Tickets: $30 for the general public; $25 for members of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library*, the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries, and the U of M Alumni Association; $5 for University of Minnesota students.

Buy tickets online at z.umn.edu/libtix

Book sales and author signing follow the program

Contact: Mark Engebretson, University of Minnesota Libraries, [email protected], 612-625-9148

*The Friends’ discount identification will be at the point of selecting seats: a popup menu will open and you will need to select what ticket group you are a part of.