The Next Big Idea THE ART OF EDITING: Graydon Carter on the Golden Age of Magazines
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Apr 24, 2025 
Graydon Carter, the former editor of Vanity Fair and co-founder of Spy magazine, shares his fascinating insights on the golden age of magazines. He reminisces about how he transformed Vanity Fair into a cultural juggernaut and discusses the art of storytelling and editing. The conversation explores the humorous nuances of Canadian culture, personal anecdotes from his journalism career, and the innovative storytelling that defined his work. Carter also reflects on significant moments in magazine history and the evolution of media consumption.
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Graydon's Average Youth
- Graydon Carter had an average, non-ambitious youth in Ottawa, Canada with no clear direction at first.
- His passion for reading and magazines eventually sparked his lifelong career in editorial work.
Magazines Capture Life's Essence
- Magazines captured the cultural life and era better than newspapers by telling deeper, narrative stories.
- Carter admired the way magazines depicted American life in the 1950s and 60s.
Landing Time Magazine Job
- Graydon Carter arrived in NYC in 1978 desperate for a job and persisted until Time magazine hired him.
- He initially appeared unpolished but impressed with his persistence and charm.
