OK. I've solved this odd puzzle (non-orthodox usage of black squares and non-letter symbols), but a greater puzzle remains.
I have never used Steemit.chat, but I'm pretty sure that this is a text-only medium. Indeed, you ask contestants to copy down their answers and send them over in a chat message.
The question is: why did you design the crossword puzzle with a space for our names at the very top?
"I've added a "Name" option at the top of the crossword to make the sorting easier at my end"
Are we supposed to send you a text message or a graphic? How are we supposed to send a graphic over a text-only channel? Or maybe that's not the case.
Glad that you were able to solve this crossword. You can send your answers on Steemit.chat as it's the official messaging channel. You can send text as well as attach an image file over there. Do whichever way you are comfortable with. If not, you can send me through Discord too. The Name option is to identify you with your Steem username as many have registered a different username there and which is quite confusing to me.
I hope it shoildn't be a problem to you.
OK. Message was sent along with a graphic of the puzzle. Thank you for this chance to exercise our brains ;-) while reading interesting and useful content.