Crossword Editor's Corner: Hints for the R.E.M. frontman and an Existence in Brainteasers

An upcoming book about crosswords? By one of the renowned puzzle setters? And, one who has designed puzzles for various outlets, edited other series, and introduced fresh faces into the game?

This is accurate. Maskarade, alias Tom Johnson, has released All Squared. I hereby recommend it and suggest you to find out how to order a edition for your own collection and another as a thoughtful holiday gift for a loved one.

Last time, I questioned why we no longer have. I'm happy to pass on a commenter's detailed analysis. If your own branch of the world lacks comedy and if you have, like Leadballoon, an analysis that doesn't constitute an blatant culture-wars salvo, please contribute. Also: am I right in believing that cryptics are nowadays more – not less – entertaining?

Some eye-catching aspects of the latest Genius puzzle: the emphasis in the guideline “Answers should be fitted into the grid like a puzzle, wherever they will go.” Terms recognizable from Araucaria’s puzzles, but the clue "Soup" must mean something different. And is that … eleven lengthy entries?

It is! But in this interlocking puzzle, some of the entries slot next to one another in those extended lines: a distinct type of test and congratulations to those who achieved the perfect fit.

Odo is responsible for this month’s Genius: inform your puzzle companions. And if your friends believe they can’t do “difficult puzzles”: direct them to resources.

Heartfelt gratitude for the submitted hints for STIPE. The prize for boldness is awarded to Jacob_Busby for the extended “One who calls Leonard Bernstein, Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce, Lester Bangs and Penelope Pitstop back, albeit briefly” – and imagine how she could have improved the song?

• Second place include Montano’s clever “Science, Technology, Engineering, Math: Technology, IT, Physics and Engineering, to start with”
• and Newlaplandes’s refined “Vocalist's backing contribution to keep it simple”
• first prize is the excellent “Group losing religion’s lead?”

Kudos to Calmasyoulike; please leave entries for ALL SQUARE in the comments, along with any favourite clues or puzzles you have encountered.