Listener 4794 Spirited By Eclogue

[upsetter]

Estupendo!

[HawkCrossword]

That was hard work! There were a couple of very interesting red herrings sending me down the wrong thematic path, and I'm sure it was intentional. Thanks Eclogue!

[perseverer]

Just echoing upsetter and Hawk, especially the hard work bit.

[Philoctetes]

Very nice. Lots of puzzling with the clue types, then the none too obvious names, then the message. But all beautifully put together with no quibbles. Top rate, Eclogue!

[emcee]

Superb. Plenty of work to do and some other setters could learn from this ... rather than churning out mediocre puzzles like a sausage factory. 

Eclogue, and many other setters, have earned every penny of their remuneration.

 

[brainiac]

Anyone know the fee for setting a Listener crossword?

[perseverer]

£200 according to the Listener site.

[HawkCrossword]

You don't set Listener crosswords for the money, brainiac. The queue is far too long, and they take many weeks to set. Having one published each year (say) doesn't quite cover the cost of the Saturday Times each week and the stamps for sending the competition entries in (currently £221). 

[Cruncher]

No speed records here and confess I found it jolly hard work but am glad to have made it to the end safely. Found it quite forbidding to begin with so many variables and no certainty that any checked cells would be any use at all.

[Dim16]

Thanks Eclogue for a challenging and enjoyable puzzle which has kept me happily engrossed over several days.

Needless to say I didn't quite finish; one clue defeated me, and I can't find the hidden message, but never mind, it was great fun while it lasted!