LA Times Launches Midi Crossword by Bart Gold - Amuse Labs: Creators of PuzzleMe

The Los Angeles Times has launched a new member-exclusive Midi Crossword, a daily puzzle designed to fill the gap between its quick Mini and the full-sized 15×15 Daily crossword. Crafted by Los Angeles-based constructor Bart Gold, the Midi offers solvers a satisfying mid-sized challenge that’s deep enough to feel rewarding but short enough to fit into a busy day. Players need a free L.A. Times account to access it, and the puzzle is available now on latimes.com and the L.A. Times mobile app.

We spoke with Gold to know more his approach to the LA Times Midi, his personal puzzle-solving routine as well as his crossword construction process.

What is the specific vibe or stylistic choice you’re aiming for with the new LA Times Midi?
There will definitely be nods to Los Angeles. I’ve lived here for 30 years now; it’s my adoptive home. We kicked off with a puzzle called “I Love LA,” which was a love letter to the city. I’m also a media omnivore—film, TV, podcasts—and I love giving nods to those.

I can also do things a regular newspaper constructor could only dream of. Most editors wouldn’t let you use color except maybe on a Sunday. With Amuse Labs, color-related wordplay is just a click away. Today’s puzzle is actually the first one we’ve run with colored squares. Even though they are simple light blue squares to highlight the theme’s punchline, it’s just more visually pleasing than gray.

What is your own daily puzzle routine? Are you a daily crossword solver?
These days, I do the Waffle and the Daily Baffle. The latter has some great homegrown puzzles like Morphology, Rubigram, and Triword. I usually do the LA Times Mini and the New York Times Mini as well.

Are there any specific crossword constructors whose work you particularly admire?
I have to name-drop Will Nediger. I’ve had the privilege of working with him; four of my puzzles have gone onto his Spyscape weekly curate. Two of those were special art grids that could only run on Amuse Labs. It’s easy to admire the prolific names like Erik Agard and Patrick Berry. One person who stands out is Brooke Husic. She has a very unique, fresh style—that whole younger generation, modern slang vibe she brings is very cool.

What is your go-to set of tools for constructing?
I used Crosserville for the first couple of years, then upgraded to Crossword Compiler once I got a PC. Sites like WordListed and Crossword Tracker are invaluable. For variety puzzles, I’ll use things like Text Reverser. Big thank you to Aaron for WordListed—it’s huge.

When someone solves one of your puzzles, what is the ideal takeaway or feeling you want them to have?
I’ve had a very varied career—screenwriter for Universal and Lionsgate, joke writer for Jack FM, prop builder, and graphic designer. Every time someone has an “aha!” moment, that’s what it’s all about for me. 99% of the time, I’m writing themed puzzles. In a 15×15, that moment usually comes with the revealer. In a Midi, the title serves as the setup, and ideally, you get that “aha!” when you realize how the grid spanners or theme entries connect back to that title.