Quick backstory - was planning on getting this tested this week (thanks Paolo for agreeing to test anyways though) and running a themeless yesterday, but realized part of the themeless grid needs to be reworked. So polished this up and am releasing my first ever meta suite w/ no testing whatsoever. YOLO baby.
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Meta basics:
A meta crossword is a themed crossword with an additional, hidden answer for the solver to find. A meta suite (which this is) is a series of meta crosswords (each with their own hidden answer), and in addition, an extra hidden answer for the puzzle suite as a whole. I really don't want to even inadvertently spoil how the suite works, so if you're still not sure, both Matt Gaffney's writeups and the WSJ have good explanations & examples.
Prizes:
Two correct entries will be randomly selected, and each will win a year Aries Puzzles bundle subscription (both the weekly Freestyle and Rows Gardens). I bought one subscription as a prize and Andrew very generously donated one as well. His puzzles come highly, highly recommended - they are consistently very clever, elegant, and challenging. If you don't win the drawing, I encourage you to purchase a subscription anyways. And if you do win but are already an Aries subscriber, we'll find an alternate prize.
I will publish a list of all people to get the correct answer and prize winners on the 28th (you may opt out of this on the Google form, no pressure & no worries).
I am wildly guessing here, but think the suite as a whole will play medium to medium-hard in difficulty. Like 3.5/5 or so.
Answer Submission & Guidelines:
Deadline: 8:00 PM Pacific Time on Wednesday, January 27th. Sunday, February 7th.
You can submit your solution using the Google Form here (edit: fixed link). The solution is seven letters long.
I don't really know what cheating is, nor do I have any energy to deal with it. I think we all can agree in 95% of cases, and use your best judgement if it's a grey area. I really don't want to hear about it. You're welcome to solve in a group (one submission for the group if you do this please). You're welcome to Google, chat with friends about it, etc. You're welcome to get a little nudge from someone else who has already solved the suite. You're not welcome to just copy someone else's answer, or just give it away if you've already solved.
Puzzles:
The Meta Shed solution is 7 letters long. Submit your solution here (edit: fixed link).
Meta Shed 1: Tiller - The solution is 3 letters long - PUZ - PDF - Online
Meta Shed 2: Lawn Mower - The solution is 4 letters long - PUZ - PDF - Online
Meta Shed 3: Chainsaw - The solution is 5 letters long - PUZ - PDF - Online