When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes references to graphic violence, the death of a loved one, and sexual harassment.

Graydon Carter is the author of When the Going Was Good. He is an editor, publisher, journalist, and author. When the Going Was Good is his 2025 memoir, and traces his experiences from childhood through his editorial career in New York City.

Carter grew up in Ontario, Canada. His early life was humble, and defined by cold winters, a love for hockey, and a desire to create a life beyond his rural upbringing. However, in his memoir, Carter repeatedly underscores his lack of direction throughout his coming of age. His post-high-school job with the Canadian Railway made him realize that he wanted to move to New York City. He was an average student but had always loved to read. During his time at the University of Ottawa, he co-founded the magazine The Canadian Review—a job which solidified his interest in magazines, journalism, and publishing. The magazine did well but folded in 1978. Despite the disappointing end of the Review, Carter didn’t give up hope on his dreams.

Carter relocated to New York, where he pursued a degree in publishing at Sarah Lawrence.