The life of this Canadian involves a few puzzles, and he hopes to create more.
Add word-search authors and publishers like Newfoundland and Labrador native Nick Cranford to the list of those who want to take advantage of an international interest in Wyoming and all things the American West to sell some books.
That’s why Wyoming is the first of his series of U.S. state word search books, even if it comes last alphabetically.
“It started it two years ago. I got the inspiration to do my word-search series from my late-great nan (grandmother) because doing word searches was her absolute favorite thing in the world,” he said. “And she meant the world to me.
“I looked after her and everything. She was a big part of my life.”
Cranford has already published word search books on his own Canadian province. When that “took off,” he said he proceeded to do word search books on the rest of the provinces, then one on Canada as a whole.
Now, he’s expanding south of the border with an eye on the U.S. market.
Not The First
His idea to start with Wyoming means he is joining others who have made the state their focus in the word-search book niche.
A quick search of Amazon reveals that there are nearly 20 other word search books featuring Wyoming in the title, and that doesn’t include the books on Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and other Cowboy State locations or themes.
The word search book and publishing niche seems to be doing well.
Book Bolt, which offers help for those who want to publish their own word search and puzzle books on Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform shows about 31,500 searches monthly for word-search books.
Cranford said he published his company’s “Word Search of Wyoming” in February, which sells for $11.95.
‘It’s Like A Tour Guide’
“The themes in my book are like a deep dive into each province or state,” he said. “It is everything unique about the state. … It’s like a tour guide, essentially.”
Cranford’s book dedicated to Wyoming has 140 word search puzzles that have to be solved by circling letters vertically, horizontally, diagonally, frontwards or backwards.
For example, the state’s capital city could be hidden as “enneyehc” somewhere in the 360 letters that fill a block of 20 horizontal rows and 18 vertical rows that make up each of his puzzle pages.
The book is listed as 3,403rd among Amazon’s word search offerings. No. 1 in the category is “The Easy and Relaxing Memory Activity Book” that isn’t just word searches, but other brain games.
Two Months Of Prep
Cranford said he spends about two months on each of his puzzle books doing the research. He uses Google a lot and time on state, county, and city websites hunting for potential words, names and places to include.
Puzzle titles in his Wyoming book cover communities, counties, rivers, people, places, national parks, Jackson Hole, restaurants, politicians, news organizations, artists and more.
“Everything under the sun that you can think of,” Cranford said.
Cranford said he thinks the popularity of word search books involve the opportunity to exercise the brain, just as with other puzzles.
“I enjoy the challenge,” he said.
Cranford has been marketing his book on social media sites belonging to Casper Wyoming Community and the Glenrock Bulletin Board. He said he hopes eventually to get the books into state bookstores and souvenir shops.
While Cranford has never been to Wyoming, he said it is on his “bucket list.” He is intrigued with Devils Tower, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
