MARY’S OFF DOWN UNDER!

We are sad to say today is the last day for our excellent intern Mary Oluwawo, who has been with us since the beginning of the year.

City University student Mary, 20, impressed the First Features team with her enthusiasm and determination and managed, in her short time, to land a feature in The Mirror, which you can read here http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/kids-and-family/2011/01/13/keeping-mum-when-s-the-right-time-to-go-public-about-being-pregnant-115875-22844393/

Mary, due to start an internship in Australia next month, says:

“Being at First Features was the best internship I have ever had! I learnt so many things in such a short space of time.

“The first day I was really nervous because I didn’t know what was expected.

“It seemed like a lot of work but Katy threw me right in the deep end. From day one I was writing, editing articles and interviewing people. It was very challenging but I was always given positive criticism. If I could sum up my whole experience in just six words I would say: challenging, exciting, fast-paced, rewarding, inspiring and 1000% worthwhile!” 

We’re always looking for bright journalism students to join our team so if you’re interested in a two-week internship in a leading features agency, write to Katy Weitz at info@firstfeatures.co.uk

MIDNIGHT MUNCHER’S AMAZING WEIGHT LOSS STORY

First Features is thrilled to see yet another one of our victorious weight loss stories gracing the pages of the January edition of Chat magazine.

Takeaway delivery driver, Sharon McColl , 40 from Wolverhampton was keen to share her triumphant story and who better to approach than First Features!

Sharon had battled with her weight since the age of 13, bingeing on endless amounts of calorific takeaways at midnight believing that since no one saw her the fatty foods didn’t count.

But the results of her midnight feasts quickly became evident.

Weighing a whooping 24st she decided it was time to make a change if she wanted to live to see her 10 year-old daughter’s 18th birthday. She opted for a gastric bypass and went from a gigantic 28 stone to a slim and slender 10 stone.

If you like Sharon are bursting to tell us your story about weight loss, overcoming an illness or tragedy or even about something strange and amazing in your life, give us a call on 0207 703 8000 or email us at info@firstfeatures.co.uk

Double weight loss victory appears in Take a Break

First Features is delighted to see our exclusive story about a couple’s double weight loss appear in Take a Break New Year, which is out now!

We were approached by Angela Matthews with her extraordinary story of how she and her husband dropped nearly 24 stone between them.

Nurse Angela, 34, went from 29 to 14 ½ stone as a result of gastric bypass surgery which shrunk her stomach from the size of a melon to the size of an egg.

Inspired by his wife’s rapid weight loss welder Rob, 44, also opted for surgery and dropped from a whopping 23st to a remarkable 15st and now they are happier than ever.

Angela says: “I loved telling my story through First Features – it was quick, easy and turned out just as we wanted it. I’ve told so many friends about it, I should get a commission!”

Do you have an astounding weight loss story, a tale about love or loss or a weird and wacky adventure?

Why not call First Features on 0207703800 or email info@firstfeatures.co.uk with your story and you could start the New Year with Big Cash!

FF Client Lands Book Deal!

First Features is proud to announce that one of our clients has landed a book deal with Ebury Press to publish the full account of her real story.

Though we can’t reveal the name of the client at this time we can confirm that Daddy’s Little Secret is due to be published in April and First Features has played a major role in bringing the full, chilling story to the public.

Our client, whose story first appeared in a woman’s magazine in 2008, said: “I always knew there was a book inside me but it took Katy’s hard efforts and amazing determination to make this happen. It means the world to me that my story will finally be heard. I’ve been silent for too long and now the truth must come out.”

If you think your story has the potential to feature in a magazine or even a whole book, please contact us! We are always thrilled to hear from new clients and help realise their dream of seeing their life story in print. And best of all, you get paid too!

Contact us on info@firstfeatures.co.uk or call 020 7703 8000.

FF Editor Comes to Billie Piper’s Rescue

Last week First Features Editor Katy Weitz came to the rescue of actress Billie Piper after the mum of one was pictured smoking in the vicinity of her toddler son and was roundly criticised in the press.

She wrote a strong comment piece in The Mirror newspaper asking all ‘fag nags’ to back off smoking mothers since the stress of becoming a mum for the first time can often be overwhelming.

Writing from her own experiences as a new mother she said: ”These days, mothers are bombarded with constant and often conflicting missives on how best to care for their babies – from the moment of conception to the day the child leaves home, mums are made to feel deeply inadequate and very often, just plain wrong.

“Get pregnant and you are dicing with death if you even consider touching a drop of alcohol, smoking, eating raw meat, having a slice of blue cheese, enjoying a runny egg or chowing down a juicy prawn.”

The article went on: “Yes, of course, we all want to do the best for our child, but the pressure on new mums these days is extraordinary. After all, the generations before us happily chugged away on their fags and threw back the sherries during and after pregnancy and we all survived!

“But have a baby in these strictly prescriptive times and you are suddenly the property of society – answering to a load of rules and regulations as if society is the parent, and not you!

It’s strangely and ironically infantilising.”

To read the full article visit The Mirror’s website at http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/kids-and-family/2010/07/28/billie-piper-got-criticised-but-i-m-a-smoking-mum-too-don-t-hate-me-115875-22444699/

If you too have a strong opinion or a story you want to share then contact us here at First Features. We are always looking to help people get their point across and if you think it’s time somebody took note of what you think then just call us on 020 7703 8000 or email at info@firstfeatures.co.uk

We’re waiting to hear from you!

Three Stories In One Day!

We were delighted when three of our stories appeared in separate publications last week – all on the same day!

Lena Paget’s story of how she discovered her husband’s affair with a fellow supermarket worker and then started a relationship with the other woman’s husband went into The Mirror newspaper on Tuesday.

On the same day Jan Boden told of how her husband had an affair while she was grieving for the death of her son in Bella magazine.

And simultaneously Michelle Dolan revealed the man she thought was a secret spy was actually full of lies in Love it! magazine.

All our amazing stories had the readers of Britain captivated and, at the same time, the women featured enjoyed sharing their experiences through First Features.

Jan told us: “I was so pleased with the finished article – it read really well. Thanks so much for helping me to get my story out there. At least the world now knows what a rat my husband is!”

If you are interested in sharing your story through First Features, you could soon see your words appearing in your favourite magazine or paper.

It’s so simple – just call us on 020 7703 8000 or email us on info@firstfeatures.co.uk.

TV or Not TV? That is the Question!

This week there’s been a huge amount of publicity over the upcoming Cutting Edge documentary ‘My Daughter Grew Another Head and Other True Stories’, a behind-the-scenes, fly on the wall programme about the real-life story market, including the journalists, magazines and subjects themselves. First Features was of course approached to make this programme, as were most of the other press agencies who deal with real life stories – and of course, we, like many before us, said no. It wasn’t the first time we were approached – it was about the hundredth. And every time we say the same thing – no. Why? Several very good reasons:

First, and most important, we have an obligation to our clients to maintain confidentiality. When someone approaches us with a story, they need to know we are not exposing them to any media until and unless they give us their express permission first. And even then, we will stay firmly in control of how they are portrayed, where and in which type of media. If someone called us with a very sensitive story, they would not be impressed to learn that we were sitting on the other end of the phone with a TV crew filming the conversation. We take our duties to our clients and their welfare very seriously. If we can’t protect them from the moment they contact us, how on earth can they trust us to represent them well in the future?

Secondly, we are inherently suspicious of the motives of fly-on-the-wall documentary makers. Call us cynical but we have been in the business a long time and we know that when someone wants to make a warts-and-all show about your profession, you can bet they’re going to edit the footage to bring out the warts as big and as ugly as possible. How many times have you heard former reality TV participants complain about being edited to look a certain way? A million. And why? Because the showmakers want to tell a story – whatever they decide the story might be, even if it only bears a fleeting resemblance to the truth.

Thirdly, we are not vain. We have no interest in promoting ourselves beyond the value of our stories and the interests of our clients. If our clients want to go on TV, we will of course direct them to the right place where they will get the best promotion possible. So, we’re sad to say, you won’t find us ‘starring’ in any TV show or documentary about the reality of the real-life story world. You can be assured, however, that we are discreet, down-to-earth, distinctly media-savvy, and determined to help our clients at every turn.

Not A Happy Accident?

Were you fed up of waiting for your man to get broody? Frustrated and angered by his lack of concern at the time running out on your biological clock? And so…did you tell your partner you were taking contraception when you weren’t and the outcome was a ‘happy accident’?

We’re putting together a feature for a national publication on how some women resort to faking contraception in a bid to start a family. We are interested in hearing from anyone who has had these experiences and is willing to be named and pictured for the piece.

There will be a good fee paid for participants and a chance to read and make any changes to the finished piece before it is published. If you are interested in taking part, please contact us on info@firstfeatures.co.uk or call us on 020 7703 8000.

For more information on our agency please visit www.firstfeatures.co.uk.

Are you a Cross Dresser or married to a Cross Dresser?

First Features are looking for people who can help us gain insight in to what life is really like in a relationship with or as a cross dresser.  We’re putting together a report for a national publication which will look beyond the taboos and reveal the reality of this unusual lifestyle.

 Jordan and Alex Reid’s recent wedding has gone some way to removing the stigma of CD but it has also aroused concerns over the effect on children of being raised by cross dressing parents. Should this  really be a concern? What are the real issues? We want you to tell us your first hand experiences.

At First Features all stories are approached with tolerance, compassion and understanding.  Once we’ve written it up, your story will be sent to you for approval before being printed.

The successful candidates must be willing to provide photographs and be named and a fee will be agreed before publication.  If you would like the chance to put the record straight and tell us all about your experiences please contacts us on 020 7703 8000 or at info@firstfeatures.co.uk

New Site Clears Up Mysteries Of The Media

First Features has launched a brand new website aimed at giving advice on how to sell your story to the media.

The site, aptly called www.howtosellmystory.co.uk explains how to make a first approach to the media, who to address, and what to expect depending on the nature of the story and your aims as the story teller.

Here at First Features we talk to hundreds of people every month and we know that dealing with the press can be mystifying. That’s why we’ve broken our advice down into categories according to your aims and the kind of story you wish to sell.

Whether you want to raise awareness of a particular issue, to find fame, publicise a product or service or just to tell your story as a warning or an inspiration to others www.howtosellmystory.co.uk can help you. And, even better, it’s free!

Sometimes it’s best to approach a local paper, sometimes a publishing house is the way to go and in many cases First Features can help you to sell your story to a national paper, magazine or both.

Going to our new site is the best place to get an idea of where you should be directing your approach.

And if you just any further advice, we are always happy to help as much as we can, so give us a ring on 020 7703 8000 or visit us at www.firstfeatures.co.uk. Our website is also packed with tonnes more info and even a video which explains the whole process of selling your story from begining to end. So before you’ve even picked up the phone, you have a good idea of how it all works.