Joel Fagliano

Joel Fagliano, the creator of the Mini Crossword and an experienced NYT games editor, shares insights into crossword selection and the editing process. Sam Ezersky, digital puzzles editor, discusses his role in curating the popular Spelling Bee game, emphasizing word-list decisions based on accessibility. The duo reveals the delicate balance of clue difficulty, the importance of player feedback, and their passion for puzzle culture. They also reflect on their unique journeys into the world of crossword creation.