Mark Danna

Mark Danna makes his living from word puzzles. His published works include more than 20 word search books and over 200 crosswords (including 2 Sunday New York Times ones). With co-authors, he has written 8 editions of "365 Brain Puzzlers" (Mensa's page-a-day puzzle calendar) and, since 1991, the rhymes-with-clues, syndicated newspaper puzzle Wordy Gurdy (under the pen name Tricky Ricky Kane). Danna was an Associate Editor at Games Magazine in its heyday, where he learned the ropes of puzzle-making from puzzle masters Will Shortz and Mike Shenk. Danna currently serves as Assistant to Shenk, the puzzle editor for The Wall Street Journal. In his very varied career, Danna has earned a living playing and promoting Frisbee, as a sports director on cruise ships, as a staff writer for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and in public relations stints for Disney Licensing and the Downtown Alliance (for the Wall Street area Business Improvement District). Danna won 3 national Frisbee championships (2 in disc golf) and co-wrote the "Frisbee Players' Handbook" (a how-to book that was round and came packaged inside a Frisbee disc). Danna has resided in New York City his entire adult life. His hobbies include playing tennis and board games (he owns some 200 games), solving puzzles, working out at the gym, going swing dancing, and reading of all sorts.