Wordy Wednesday 8: A New Type of Crossword

WORDY WEDNESDAY #6
CRAZY WORD GAMES (answer) It's been two weeks, so time to unveil the answer to this puzzle. If you still wish to solve it yourself, please go here for the normal version of the puzzle, or here for the easier version of the puzzle. Here's a list of people who solved it:
Bryce Herdt **
Christian H.P. *
Eric Prestemon **
Giovanni Pagano **
Jack Bross **
James McGowan **
Jason Boomer **
Jeremy Conner **
Kou O. **
Mark Tilford **
Randy Rogers **

And the winner of the contest is. . . James McGowan! You win!

WORDY WEDNESDAY #7
PATHFINDER (hint) 9 people have solved last week's puzzle. Haven't solved it yet? Here's an easier version. This one gives the direction from the first to the second letter of each answer (like a normal Pathfinder). Send your solutions to glmathgrant[at]gmail[dot]com within the next week to appear on the solvers list and be recognized for your puzzle prowess. Good luck, solvers!

WORDY WEDNESDAY #8
A NEW TYPE OF CROSSWORD
(click here for a PDF version)

Inspired by the smartphone app Bonza, in which my puzzles will be appearing soon (July 23; the app will be free from then until July 31, so please check it out!). Assemble the pieces above to form a crossword with 17 related words (lengths 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 7, 8, 8). The answer to this puzzle is the word that could be added.