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

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.