Resource Directory

16 hand-picked resources for puzzle designers

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Content Creation2

Image Generation

NightCafe Studio

By Angus Russell

Online ToolEveryoneAffiliate

Create custom puzzle artwork using AI models including Flux and DALL-E 3. Generate, upscale, and download images for puzzle assets. Access basic models with free account or unlock premium models with subscription. Design unique visual elements.

Template Collections

Logic Puzzle Grids

By Tim Styer

WebsiteEveryone

Free PNG logic grid puzzle templates, available in sizes from 2x2 to 12x12. Download ready-to-use grids for your puzzle designs. Clear, print-quality images suitable for both digital and print publications.

Learning Resources8

Books & Publications

Prompt Engineering For Puzzle Book Designers

By Mitchell H. Allen

BookEveryoneAffiliate

A practical guide to prompt engineering for puzzle book designers: Learn essential patterns for creating engaging puzzles using AI assistance. Progress from basic templates to advanced reasoning techniques with step-by- step examples and practical applications for designing pencil-and-paper puzzles.

Newsletter

Mitchell's Mind-bending Variety Puzzles

By Mitchell H. Allen

EmailEveryone

A newsletter featuring original puzzles, curated puzzle recommendations, design insights, AI experiments, and project updates. Get free puzzles and behind-the-scenes perspectives on puzzle creation. Published occasionally.

Online Courses

Advanced Prompt Engineering for Everyone

By Dr. Jules White

VideoAdvanced

Advanced prompt engineering course exploring broad applications beyond basics. Dr. Jules White delivers engaging instruction on generalized prompting techniques. Access additional courses from same instructor. Requires free Coursera account.

Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT

By Dr. Jules White

VideoBeginner

A free course where I first learned prompt engineering, establishing core concepts and effective patterns for LLM prompting. Perfect foundation for beginners. Requires free Coursera account.

Puzzle Book Domination

By Keith Wheeler

WebsiteEveryoneAffiliate

Step-by-step guide for creating print-ready puzzles in PowerPoint. Learn to design and export puzzles in formats compatible with publishing software. Multiple puzzle types covered. Perfect for designers seeking efficient puzzle production tools.

Video Tutorials

Elaine Giles' YouTube Channel

By Elaine Giles

VideoIntermediate

Learn Affinity software through Elaine's tutorials, from quick solution- focused guides to detailed technique demonstrations. Her videos teach both essential tools and advanced design methods.

Web Tutorials

How to Solve Logic Puzzles

By PuzzleBaron.com

WebsiteIntermediate

Comprehensive tutorial for solvers will help you design better clues for logic grid puzzles.

How to Solve Number Logic Puzzles

By ConceptisPuzzles.com

WebsiteIntermediate

This website is chock full of instructional articles to help you solve puzzles like Skyscrapers, Hashiwokakero and other number logic puzzles. See samples, rules, tutorials, solving techniques and tips. You become a better designer with this knowledge. Bonus: play these puzzles online!

Software Tools6

AI Tools

Promptopia - Your Personal Prompt Library

By Mitchell H. Allen

Online ToolEveryone

Browser-based prompt library for storing and managing LLM prompts. Features: add, edit, delete, copy to clipboard, tags, categories, multiple views, sorting, and filtering. Includes starter prompts. IMPORTANT: Export regularly for backup—data stored in browser only.

Downloadable Software

Crossword Compiler for Windows

By Antony Lewis

SoftwareIntermediateAffiliate

Professional puzzle compilation software for crosswords, Sudoku, word search, and kriss-kross puzzles. Export in multiple formats compatible with publishing software. Create print-ready puzzles with professional tools. Free trial available.

WordWeb

By Antony Lewis

SoftwareIntermediateAffiliate

Offline word database with pattern matching, ideal for puzzle construction. Includes dictionary, thesaurus, and anagram tools. Customize with your own definitions. Available for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.

Online Applications

Boggle Solver 4x4

By dcode.fr

Online ToolAdvanced

Verify your Boggle-style puzzle designs with complete word lists. Ensure no unexpected solutions in your grids, supporting both standard and 5x5 sizes. Note: Results may include proper nouns and non-standard words. Multiple dictionaries available. Includes additional word-finding tools.

Internet Anagram Server

By wordsmith.org

Online ToolEveryone

A puzzle designer's secret weapon: Advanced anagram generator for complex phrases. Process long text to discover intricate anagram possibilities. Export results for detailed analysis. Direct access to advanced features optimized for puzzle design.

Logic Puzzle Mastery

By Ken Bluttman

WebsiteEveryoneAffiliate

Create logic puzzle grids with custom categories. The software builds most puzzle types automatically, while grid puzzles need manual clue creation. Includes clue writing tutorials. Designed for puzzle crafters who want practical puzzle-making tools.