SUSAN RILEY

Magazine Commercial Editorial Director at Stylist

By Amiya Baratan

Did you ever doubt yourself or feel imposter syndrome while studying at City?

In all honesty, no. Too full of youth and exuberance.

Who is your favourite journalist and why?

Simon Hattenstone’s profle pieces are always so well crafted. He came and gave us a talk on interviewing celebrities when I was features editor at Sugar and was brilliant in mentor mode.

What is your go-to snack while writing?

My go-to snack is always a Cadbury’s Freddo.

Have you ever experienced sexism in your career?

Yes. From men, of course. But also from women. One interview with a female editor was essentially over when I revealed I had a young child.

Zoom, face-to-face, or telephone interview?

Face to face always. Although Microsoft Teams has a brilliant transcription tool that would have saved me about seven years of my life had I used it earlier.

Laura Smith

Newspaper

Associate Editorial Director at the Mixed Museum; Freelance Writer, Editor and Editorial Consultant

By Megan Geall

What’s the most memorable interview you’ve ever done? Without a doubt visiting death row in Pennsylvania and interviewing the former Black Panther, Mumia Abu Jamal for a feature for The Guardian. We talked for hours, him behind thick plexiglass, me in borrowed clothes because my luggage got lost on the way. I wasn’t allowed to take in a recording device; I still have the thick book of notes I took. That interview changed my life.

Who was the most inspiring person you met at City? Everyone at City was inspiring – being amongst a group of such clever, funny, driven people was exciting and intimidating. The person I’m most inspired by today is Preti Taneja, who was on the course with me and has gone on to forge a career as an academic, novelist and writer. She’s a dear friend. I’ve also never forgotten Linda Christmas’ advice about looking beyond the London bubble and amplifying women’s voices.

What is your fondest memory of being at City?

The nights out at what used to be the Bull, in various places along Upper Street, and at Pippa Crerar’s fat on Camden High Street!