Formerly known as the “Sunday Summer Substitute”, editor Cap'n Rick now takes the helm for 'Smooth Sailing Sundays'. As The Commodores sang about Sunday morning, the SSS will focus on easier metas. SSS will also support smaller grids and will mentor new constructors on request. Puzzles released each Sunday around 8am Eastern. Nudges released same day at Noon Eastern. New constructors are welcome.
I had one idea in mind for a puzzle when I was falling asleep, and when I woke up the next morning, this is the puzzle that emerged. There are two paths to solve...three if you count good old-fashioned guessing.
Thanks to @Cap'n Rick, @Abide, and @Joe Ross for getting this puzzle in shape for solvers.
Prompt: The meta answer is what you'll need to follow to solve
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 contest-style (meta) crosswords that we've created to help raise money for cancer-related organizations - get the bundle at http://crosswordsforcancer.com
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta!
If you want help with a meta, feel free to PM me. The more specific you are about what you have and what you want, the more likely I can help without spoiling.
(And if I help you win a mug, I’ll be especially delighted.)
The grid is pretty small to contain much beyond the themers, so where else might you look to solve?
Did you notice 26A?
The themer clues contain both paths to solve: the specific answer and the general theme. Either path will get you to the meta answer
The first part of five themer clues might get you to the general theme answer path, especially combined with the prompt
The other path: the first letter of the first clue is.....?
What is something we often follow? Or don't, depending on the person or situation
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 contest-style (meta) crosswords that we've created to help raise money for cancer-related organizations - get the bundle at http://crosswordsforcancer.com
Lol nothing like trying the right thing the wrong way. Fortunately the third nudge set me straight. Fun stuff, thanks.
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
We've had 36 solvers today plus two test solvers for a total of 38 - pretty good for day 1! Congrats on the solve and thanks for spending part of your weekend on this puzzle.
Abide (TS)
ajk
Alex Sisti
BarbaraK
Benchen71
Berto
boharr
BrennerTJ
Cap'nRick (TS)
Cindy Heisler
Cindy Weatherman
CPJohnson
damefox
DIS
HeadinHome
Hector
heidi
I K Snamhcok
JHSeeman
JR
KayW
LasersharpAurora
lbray53
LesY
Madhatter5
MatthewL
Meg
merlinnimue
michaelm
Mikey G
Pair O Ducks
Philip Chow
Rjy
sledge
Tyrpmom
Wendy Walker
whimsy
woozy
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 contest-style (meta) crosswords that we've created to help raise money for cancer-related organizations - get the bundle at http://crosswordsforcancer.com
Another dozen solvers today, bringing the total to 50, including 2 test solvers
BirdLives
Darth
Dow Jones
DrTom
Gutman
Imontoo
Jaclyn
JM
LauraM
Mortdestro
Schmeel
SJMcK
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 contest-style (meta) crosswords that we've created to help raise money for cancer-related organizations - get the bundle at http://crosswordsforcancer.com
Mark is the master of the dual pathway. His puzzle almost always have a main way and a side-road to get to the answer. Regardless of size the grid delivers! SSSolved
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
Fortunately the third nudge set me straight. Fun stuff, thanks. 
SSSolved by following... nudges 
Nice one - thanks, Mark!
