About Me
Hi there! My name is Quiara and this is my website. That's me on the right over there - ain't I a looker?
To answer your first question: it's pronounced "key-AH-ra VASS-kezz" - those "Qu"s are pronounced like Ks. I'm that rare and endangered species in the media space, a millennial Brooklynite. (But I am a Real New Yorker, born and raised in the crappy part of Kings County.) I went to the City University of New York, where I double majored in television production and - don't laugh - philosophy of art. I did that while working on the side as a local print journalist, a decision that proved even more financially ruinous than the philosophy degree.
These days I make and edit crossword puzzles; indeed, I am one of the dozen or two who make their income solely off of crossword construction. Most notably, since 2024 I've been editing the daily puzzle for the news site Slate. I'm also an editor at AVCX (so named as it's the former Onion/A.V. Club Crossword), the largest independent crossword subscription service. I designed their logo, too, as well as the mascot for the crossword construction software Ingrid. Before I worked at either of those sites I ran a popularish puzzle blog called QVXwordz. You can read more about my work as a constructor elsewhere on this site. Most of the content you'll find here is on about puzzles - how to solve, write, and publish them.
In terms of other hobbies, I'm a fairly talented artist - or so I would like to think! In particular I've been making pixel art for 15+ years, and I think I've finally gotten the hang of it. You can judge for yourself by checking out my profiles on CSDb and PixelJoint. I can kind of play the guitar and accordion (although I don't, to the relief of the people in the neighboring apartment).
Talk to Me
You can send me an e-mail at the address listed at 17-Across here. (Spambots can't solve crosswords... yet.)