Wyna Liu (/ˈwɪnə ˈl/) is an American puzzle creator and editor of the New York Times game Connections.

Wyna Liu
EducationOberlin College (B.A.)
NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program (M.A.)
Occupation(s)Crossword editor
Jewelry artist
Known forConnections
Websitewynaliu.com

Career

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In 2017, Liu and her mother attended a seven night New York Times crossword-themed cruise, where she met Times editor Joel Fagliano and became inspired to begin constructing her own puzzles. In 2018 she met the constructors Erik Agard and Ben Tausig, who began mentoring her.[1]

Her first published crossword puzzle appeared in the American Values Club Crossword in January 2019. Her first New York Times crossword was published in February 2019.[1]

In 2020, Liu was hired as an associate puzzle editor at The New York Times. She is also an assistant editor at the American Values Club Crossword.[1][2] In 2022, Liu constructed the final round puzzle for the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.[3]

Liu is the editor of Connections, a New York Times game officially introduced in 2023,[4] and the author of the crossword compilation Pause for Puzzles: Hard Crosswords for Focus.[5][better source needed]

Personal life

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Liu attended Oberlin College, where she taught an experimental course on the history of Britpop.[6] In 2014, she earned a master's degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.

As of 2020, Liu was a resident of Chinatown in Manhattan, New York.[1] Liu is an artist who uses "laser cutting and traditional craft techniques to create fluid and movable sculptures."[7] She also designs jewelry.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Amlen, Deb (September 16, 2020). "60 Seconds With Wyna Liu". The New York Times.
  2. ^ a b Klein, Charlotte (December 19, 2023). "Inside The New York Times' Big Bet on Games". Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Anchor crossword builder wins 7th national championship". The Harpswell Anchor. June 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  4. ^ Amlen, Deb (November 16, 2023). "Will Shortz's Life as a 'Professional Puzzle Maker'". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Liu, Wyna (November 21, 2023). Pause for Puzzles: Hard Crosswords for Focus. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-4549-5027-1.
  6. ^ "Course Offerings". Oberlin College. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Wyna Liu, Museum of Arts and Design".
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