Meet Beccy Hill, Editor of Sister
Meet Beccy Hill, (@rebeccajanehill) founder and editor of bi-annual feminist magazine, Sister. We caught up with Beccy to discuss The Survivor Issue, who she’s following, what she’s reading and her advice for aspiring creatives.
Sister is… an independently published bi-annual zine, which I started in 2012 whilst I was at university. Our core value is that all issues are women’s issues, and that by providing a platform for them to be discussed, together we can achieve concrete change.
The last book I read was… ‘Option B’ by Sheryl Sandberg.
My top podcast recommendations are… I’m currently obsessed with ‘Small Doses’ from the comedian Amanda Seales, but I listen to the BBC Woman’s Hour podcast most days.
The hardest thing about my job is… always wanting to do more.
If I could tell my younger self one thing it would be… worry less, it doesn’t solve anything.
I seek inspiration… literally everywhere and anywhere. London is the most amazing city to live in and some days I feel inspired just by walking down the street.
My favourite Instagram accounts are… @subliming.jpg always posts the best quotes and the best typefaces, @uglyvegan shares the most beige, animal-free junk meals and @fentybeauty for the make up tips and Rihanna pics.
The best writers… are found within the pages of any issue of Sister magazine (plug!)
Magazines that I read are… I absolutely love Riposte and Apartamento.
How do you feel about Sister now being available at UO?
I think it’s great that UO are stocking magazines and supporting independent publishers like Sister. I’m super excited to see the reaction and hope to see people having a good read in store!
What can we expect from The Survivor Issue?
We’ve changed the visual identity of the magazine quite a lot, and given it a fresh new look, which was super exciting to work on. Our exclusive interviews with our cover stars Jesse Jo Stark, and Team GB paralympians Vanessa Wallace and Julie Rogers are some of my all time favourites. We also reviewed the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic ‘On The Basis Of Sex’ and spoke to director Mimi Wade – you’ll have to pick up a copy to see what else!
What advice you would give to young creatives starting university or wanting to kick start their careers?
Whilst university for me was an amazing experience, I’m not sure if I would recommend it to young creatives. It’s not the only option. If you know what you want to do, start doing it. Build a website, use social channels to get your work out there. And then intern with people who you think could further your career, make contacts, and just hustle.
“Print is dead” is argued rigorously in the industry yet independent magazines and zines are still thriving. Why do you think millennials and gen z want to invest in print?
I guess because it’s something tangible. They’re something you can have on your coffee table or your shelves, like vinyl records or film photographs. It’s also nice to have some time away from your screens, and just lose yourself in a good read and some nice visuals.
What’s next for Sister?
We’ve just released our tenth print issue, which is a huge milestone for us, so we’re taking some time out and evaluating where to from here!
The last book I read was… ‘Option B’ by Sheryl Sandberg.
My top podcast recommendations are… I’m currently obsessed with ‘Small Doses’ from the comedian Amanda Seales, but I listen to the BBC Woman’s Hour podcast most days.
The hardest thing about my job is… always wanting to do more.
If I could tell my younger self one thing it would be… worry less, it doesn’t solve anything.
I seek inspiration… literally everywhere and anywhere. London is the most amazing city to live in and some days I feel inspired just by walking down the street.
My favourite Instagram accounts are… @subliming.jpg always posts the best quotes and the best typefaces, @uglyvegan shares the most beige, animal-free junk meals and @fentybeauty for the make up tips and Rihanna pics.
The best writers… are found within the pages of any issue of Sister magazine (plug!)
Magazines that I read are… I absolutely love Riposte and Apartamento.
How do you feel about Sister now being available at UO?
I think it’s great that UO are stocking magazines and supporting independent publishers like Sister. I’m super excited to see the reaction and hope to see people having a good read in store!
What can we expect from The Survivor Issue?
We’ve changed the visual identity of the magazine quite a lot, and given it a fresh new look, which was super exciting to work on. Our exclusive interviews with our cover stars Jesse Jo Stark, and Team GB paralympians Vanessa Wallace and Julie Rogers are some of my all time favourites. We also reviewed the Ruth Bader Ginsburg biopic ‘On The Basis Of Sex’ and spoke to director Mimi Wade – you’ll have to pick up a copy to see what else!
What advice you would give to young creatives starting university or wanting to kick start their careers?
Whilst university for me was an amazing experience, I’m not sure if I would recommend it to young creatives. It’s not the only option. If you know what you want to do, start doing it. Build a website, use social channels to get your work out there. And then intern with people who you think could further your career, make contacts, and just hustle.
“Print is dead” is argued rigorously in the industry yet independent magazines and zines are still thriving. Why do you think millennials and gen z want to invest in print?
I guess because it’s something tangible. They’re something you can have on your coffee table or your shelves, like vinyl records or film photographs. It’s also nice to have some time away from your screens, and just lose yourself in a good read and some nice visuals.
What’s next for Sister?
We’ve just released our tenth print issue, which is a huge milestone for us, so we’re taking some time out and evaluating where to from here!