Archive for November, 2009

Relationship Stories: Yours and Ours!

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Here is the latest blog from Famous Features journalist, Alex McGowan.  If you would like to contact Alex, sell a story to the national press, or find out more about Famous Features, visit: www.FamousFeatures.co.uk

Or, if you would like to see which stories magazines and newspapers are looking for right now, see the ‘Latest Media Request’ blogs below.

 

WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED?

The office of Famous Features is always full of joy and laughter, as we write and sell your amazing stories to the national press – That’s Life, Take a Break, Bella, Best, Chat and many more.

But sometimes there’s sadness, too. At the moment, there’s a few broken hearts knocking around. There must be something in the air, because it seems everyone is going through a tough time at the moment, relationship-wise.

In my case, I recently became involved in a classic ‘Autumn Taboo’ relationship.

You know the kind. Nights are drawing in, the smell of frost is in the air, and you’re home alone, freezing, with nothing but a Pot Noodle and grated cheese to keep you warm.

So, because you’re a bit lonely, you start hankering after things you  shouldn’t. Like chocolate, red wine, oh – and your next-door neighbour.

A lovely guy, good-looking and funny. But with a major flaw: I soon found out that he was taking drugs and didn’t have enough money to pay his rent, let alone take me out for dinner.

In my head, I could see my friends standing there by the side of the road waving a big red sign that read ‘NO! THIS GUY IS A DISASTER!’

But there was something I really liked, even loved about him all the same.  And despite begging him to mend his ways, he wasn’t able to see his own problem for what it was; a serious addiction. He’s the only person that can help himself, but it doesn’t make it any easier having to see him every day.

By Christmas, you’re drunkenly toasting under the mistletoe that you can and will do better for yourself.

By summer, you’ve lost a stone, fake tanned, toned and glammed up. He wants you back, you wouldn’t look twice at him.

But as the nights grow colder, we don’t blame you for searching for a bit of comfort.

Whether it’s that guy you meet in the chatroom who promises to take care of you, or the man you thought you were going to marry who you then see kissing that skinny-girl-from-accounts-you-HATE at the Christmas party – somehow, things that are bad for you seem so good at this time of year!

Same with food. Do you really need to start your day with a box of buttered brazil nuts? No. But it’s cold, and this time of year can give you the blues. So you do what you have to do.

In this office, we are always professional, and try our very best to leave whatever heartbreak we’re going through at the door.

But still, when we hear about and sell your stories of personal heartbreak at the hands of cheating-love rats, liars and Facebook fraudsters, we can’t help but sympathise when you tell us ‘He seemed like the perfect guy,’ or ‘I really did think this guy was the man for me.’  We know exactly how you feel!

Ladies, we offer you this advice. It’s worked wonders for us.

Allow yourself to be sad. Stay in bed, cry, eat icecream straight out of the box. Skimping on personal hygiene optional.

Get angry. How dare he treat you that way? This anger will motivate you to the next step…

Get even. Your sole aim in life is now to make him eternally regret dumping you. So you join the gym, tone up and buy a fabulous new wardrobe, (or a hot-pink Mulberry Macbook sleeve to ‘cheer you up’ if  you’re our editor, Sally Windsor).

You go out with friends who wipe your tears and spoon Cosmopolitans into your mouth. And eventually, you will meet your Prince.

We hear so many brilliant internet dating stories of people that fall in love online, and the dream continues into real-life. We always love it when they live happily every after. Look at Suzzee Langton and her husband Robert whose story we wrote for Real People magazine.  Robert proposed to Suzzee from across the pond – yet they’d never even met!

Then there’s the lovely Hannah Isaacson who after meeting her hubby Chris online, (having sworn she would NEVER try internet dating!) put together her whole wedding via things off email – and got them all for a bargain! 

This story appeared in the People newspaper and has since been picked up by TV channels across the world. You can read that story here: http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=i-bought-all-my-wedding-on-internet-even-my-hubby-chris&method=full&objectid=21384602&siteid=93463-name_page.html

What better way to kickstart the rejuvenating process of getting over someone than by emailing our website so we can sell your stories of betrayal, heartbreak, and revenge (our favourite ones!), to share them with other readers?

Dig out those stories, ladies. A problem shared is a problem halved.  And when we sell your story, you’re guaranteed to warn other ladies away from the bad’uns!

We look forward to hearing from you…

Alex – Famous Features

Media Requests: 27/11/2009

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Latest story requests.  Get paid to appear in national newspapers and magazines. Submit your details at: www.FamousFeatures.co.uk

Tell us if you would like to feature in one of the articles below, or if you have a different story to sell.

UPDATED DAILY

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Story / Case Study Wanted: Do you ever get over your first love?

Media outlet: Sunday Newspaper Supplement

More info: We’re looking for a case study for an article on first love.

Did you think you’d never get over your first love? But now you’ve found love again and believe that you can? We have case studies that are still with their first love and so need someone who believes you can get over your first love even if it takes a long time and have know gone to find love with someone else.

Special criteria: Women – twenties or thirties, Willing to be identified and pictured.

Story / Case Study Wanted: I am looking for couples who’ve spiced up their sex life in an unusual way!

Media outlet: Glossy Women’s Magazine.

More info: I’m working on a feature about couples and how to spice up their sex life in the New Year.

Ideally we are looking for a couple who’ve done something extreme – swinging / trying unusual aphrodisiacs or even making their own naughty movies. Any couples with spicy new year’s stories would be appreciated!

Special criteria: The couples need to be under 40.

Story / Case Study Wanted: Polygamous marriages.

Media outlet: Daily Newspaper.

More info: Looking to interview a polygamous family for a real life feature to tie in with the law change.

Special criteria: Need to be named and pictured. Ideally all wives will speak.

Paid Press Requests: 26/11/2009

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

Today’s latest story request from the national press.  Sell a story to a magazine or newspaper.  Visit www.FamousFeatures.co.uk to submit your details.

UPDATED DAILY

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Story or Case Study Wanted: Case studies of Brits either living in Dubai or have moved back from there.

Media Outlet: National Daily Newspaper.

More info: I\’m looking for two case studies for tomorrow\’s paper:

1) a Brit who has moved to Dubai and is struggling to find work, or has lost money on their property in the credit crunch.

2) a Brit who moved to Dubai and has moved back because of the credit crunch.

We would need to speak to them today and get a pic. We can pay them a fee for this.

Each case study will be about 200 words each.

Special criteria: Can also be couples or a family.

Story Requests: 25/11/2009

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

We are looking for these stories right now.  You will get paid for appearing in any of the magazine articles below.  Let us know if you are interested in these, or selling any other stories to the press at: www.FamousFeatures.co.uk

UPDATED DAILY

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Story / Case Study Wanted: I’m looking for four girls who will write an open letter saying ‘Why I slept with your boyfriend’

Media outlet: Glossy Women’s Magazine.

More info: It could be ‘I was lonely’, ‘You weren’t giving him what he needed’ or ‘I didn’t know you existed’ – etc, etc.

Girls need to be available to attend photo shoot for More in London on December 4th, and need to provide picture of love-rat.

Special criteria: Girls need to be between 20- 29. Case-study will be paid.

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: Someone who has submitted a claim for a bank charge refund and will talk on Supreme Court Judgement.

Media outlet: National Newspaper.

More info: This is for a breakout to our main piece on today’s Supreme Court Judgement on bank charges. Many people who were expecting refunds now look like they will be out of pocket.

Special criteria: N/A

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: Case study who has had a bad experience/or addicted to the party drug methadrone.

Media outlet: National Newspaper.

More info: Needs to be named and pictured

Stories Wanted: 24/11/2009

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Here are today’s story requests from the national newspapers and magazines.  Contact us at: www.FamousFeatures.co.uk and sell a story to the press today.

UPDATED DAILY

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Story / Case Study Wanted: Three generations of one family on the dole.

Media outlet: Daily Newspaper.

Story Info: We are looking for three or more generations of one family who are all on the dole.

Special criteria: They must have been made redundant during this recession and want to find work.  

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: Lottery winners

Media outlet: Daily Newspaper.

More Info: We are looking for untold lottery winner stories.  Whatever the story – spent all their money, still shop for bargains etc – we are interested in hearing it.

Special criteria: Must not have been in a national newspapers recently. If covered in a small way they won, this may be OK.  Must be willing to be named and pictured.

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: Women who solved their own crimes / caught their own attacker.

More info: We are writing a feature for a glossy magazine about women who solved their own crimes / caught their own attacker. There is a case study payment on offer and this is an ideal opportunity for women to mention the company or charity they have become involved with or launched since becoming a victim of crime, as well as sharing their story with over 300,000 readers.

 

Story or Case Study Wanted: I spend Loads on My Kids’ Bling!!

Media outlet: Sunday Newspaper Supplement.

More Story Info: We’re doing an article about ‘bling’ kids like Suri Cruise and Kai Wayne Rooney. We’re looking for a case study of a mum who spends a fortune on her kids in designer boutiques.

Special criteria: Mum must be willing to be identified and talk openly about what she spends on her kids.

Industry News

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Hello everyone!

In addition to our daily story updates where we will let you know what kind of stories Magazines and Newspapers are looking for right now, we also want to give you a little insight into the world of Famous Features and real-life journalism.  We’ll be posting regular blogs to keep you up to date with what is going on in the office, the media, and the world of real-life stories (visit our home page to find out more about selling your story – click here)

The Famous Features Office

So, you could say it’s a rather female-orientated environment here at Famous Features, where we work hard to sell your stories to top magazine and newspapers, including That’s Life!, Take A Break, Closer, and many more cornerstones of the national press.

We’ve turned the old adage of the world of journalism being one big ‘boy’s club’ completely on its head.

Not here it ain’t. Girls only (well nearly!).

You’d be hard pressed to find a more pink, fluffy and feminine office than ours. We’d like to give you an insight into where we write up your inspirational stories.

It’s a tightly run ship, but the office is filled with pink wherever we can. Pink notebooks, pink highlighters, a large pink ‘Famous Features’ sign on the window (which the boring old fuddy duddies in the office next door deemed as tacky – jealousy is a terrible thing) and even a pink lamp. Oh, and did I mention the goldfish? Sadly not pink ones, but we’re working on it.

We work very hard, because selling your stories to the magazines is important to us. So consequently, we spend a lot of time in the office. For this reason, we’ve made it as pink, comforting and female friendly as possible. There’s always handcream in the drawer. There’s always chocolate in the fridge.

We think it’s only fair that we big up the fairer sex quite a bit. After all, it’s your stories of strength, courage and inspiration that make Famous Features the number one press agency for selling your story that it is.

We often look back on stories we’ve sold to magazines and newspapers (such as the Daily Mirror, the People and The Sun) and wonder how the people in that story are getting on. It’s hard not to get personally involved when you’re talking to such incredible people all day.

Take Diane Vinall, for example. We sold her story to That’s Life a couple of months ago. She was absolutely devastated, as any loving mother would be, when her son Stephen was found in East Brighton park last year. He was just 32 years old. Stephen had been a heroin addict for years, and the inquest ruled an overdose as the cause of his death. But Diane isn’t happy with this verdict – she believes he was murdered.

Her story is a touching message of undying love and devotion to her son – she will never give up fighting to find out what really happened the day he died.

Or Jeanette Salmons (nee Sambucci), who remarried her first hubby Malcolm last month 39 years to the day after they married the first time. They were 16 and 18 the first time round, and not quite ready for marriage.  They went their separate ways and married new partners – but realised they belonged together after bumping into each other at a family gathering years later.  We were so inspired by this story of true love – theirs really is ‘in sickness and in health.’ It appeared in the ‘Your Life’ section of the Daily Mirror on Friday November 20, and we thoroughly enjoyed working with them.

We sold Sylvia Davies’s story to Chat, after she was attacked on Boxing Day 2007 by her abusive ex-partner. She’s since rebuilt her marriage and kicked her alcoholism.  She gave birth to her gorgeous baby girl, Emily Rose, a year ago, and we couldn’t be happier for her.

All these incredible women (and there are many more, believe us), just prove that us girls really are the best. Long live the sisterhood, and keep sending us your inspiring stories, ladies!

Alex – Famous Features Journalist

(Don’t worry, we do sell male orientated stories as well, and we have boys in the office  – but they have to put up with the pink).

Stories Wanted: 23/11/2009

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Today’s Story Requests from the National Press.  Sell a story to a Magazine or Newspaper and Earn Cash Today.

Visit: www.FamousFeatures.co.uk to submit your details.

UPDATED DAILY

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Story / Case Study Wanted: Amazing and Inspiring women of 2009

Media outlet: Sunday Newspaper Magazine.

Story / Case Study Description:: We are currently writing a piece about the most inspiring women of 2009 who have achieved incredible things this year. Specifically we’re looking for women that have perhaps campaigned to change a law after a personal tragedy, set up an amazing life-changing charity or something similar. All case studies will be paid.

Story Criteria: Needs to be women aged 18-40 who haven’t really appeared anywhere else, aren’t doing any similar features and would be available to do a shoot either this Friday or the following Monday.

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: Fun, quirky, unusual stories with a strong new year line in them.

Media outlet: Glossy Magazine.

Story / Case Study Description:: We are looking for any strong short features with a good new year line. They can be about anything apart from romance.  Let us know your story ideas and earn cash today.

Story Criteria: Women aged 18 to 35.

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: Women aged 19-35 for a feature titled: “My Christmas wish came true!”

Media outlet: Glossy Magazine.

Story / Case Study Description:: We’re researching an upbeat, positive, four-case-studies-in-one report for a Glossy Magazine Christmas issue. We’re looking for four women, age 19-35, whose circumstances have changed hugely for the better during 2009.

 

So, maybe they wished for:

- LOVE. Perhaps they were single at Christmas 2008, and made a resolution to go on a real mission to find love this year, going on loads of dates/setting up their own dating agency/writing a dating book etc – and are now with the man of their dreams.

- MONEY. Perhaps they were in a dead-end, badly-paid job in 2008, but this year they set up an amazing new business/found an amazing new job and are going to end this year making a huge profit/enjoying their new salary/perks.

- FAMILY. Perhaps they always knew they were adopted/had a sibling, and in 2009 they were finally reunited with their birth mum/long-lost sister, etc.

- A BABY. Perhaps they had been trying for kids for years, and this year they finally became a mum in an interesting way, eg: adopting a baby from China; using a sperm donor; etc.

- WEIGHT LOSS. Perhaps a year ago they were overweight and unhappy, but this year, for an interesting reason, they finally shed several stone and now have the body of their dreams.

We will pay each case study for their time and our deadline is the end of this week.

Story Criteria: Case studies should be 19-35 years old, willing to be shot and to provide collect photos if required.

Story Requests: 19/11/2009

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Latest Story / Article Requests from the National Press.  If you would like to Sell Your Story to a Magazine or Newspaper, send your details to www.FamousFeatures.co.uk.  We will consider any story, but we are currently looking for the following ones in particular….

UPDATED DAILY

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Story / Case Study Wanted: Wild office Xmas party stories!

Media outlet: Sunday Newspaper.

Article Info: We’re looking for stories for a light-hearted piece about things that happen at Xmas office parties. Someone who slept with the boss and it went horribly wrong / got so drunk, did something wild and were the talk of the office the next day etc.

 

 Story / Case Study Wanted: Stories about children binge drinking at Christmas.

Media outlet: National Daily Newspaper.

Article Info: I\’m looking for two case studies for this feature. I need to find a mum whose child was hospitalised after binge drinking at Christmas (had alcohol poisoning / stomach pumped etc). Am also looking for a mum who lets her kids drink at Christmas as she thinks it will stop them from binge drinking outside the home. For both case studies, the children need to be young, ideally 11 and under.

Case Study Criteria: The mum needs to be aged around 20-40.

 

 Story / Case Study Wanted: Strong Christmas/New Year real life stories and news features.

Media outlet: Glossy Women’s Magazine.

Article Info: We are currently planning for Christmas and New Year issues and looking for strong real life stories and news features.

Case Study Criteria: NO criteria but mainly looking for first rights (i.e. story must not have appeared in the press before).

Magazine Story Request: 18/11/2009

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Today’s Story Request from the National Magazines and Newspapers.  If you fit this profile, or know somebody else who fits this profile, please let us know at: www.FamousFeatures.co.uk

UPDATED DAILY

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Story / Case Study Request: Looking to Interview a Sex Worker or Former Sex Worker.

Media Outlet: Women’s Magazine.

Newspaper / Magazine Article Info: We are searching for a case study of either a woman who is working as a prostitute at the moment (preferable) or a woman who used to work as one and is willing to talk about their experiences. We want to show the real side of prostitution, so not someone who is just going to say that she loves working as a high class escort and it takes her all over the world etc, but someone who probably does it out of necessity, and can speak truthfully about the profession without “glossing it up.”

Case Study Criteria: Female, aged ideally 18-39. Deadline is asap this week. Case study would need to be photographed.

Latest Story Requests: 17/11/2009

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Latest Story Requests from National Magazines and Newspapers.  Visit www.FamousFeatures.co.uk to register your interest and sell your story.

UPDATED DAILY

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Story / Case Study Wanted: Women who have had their eggs frozen so they can delay motherhood.

More info: We are not looking for women who have had their eggs frozen because they have cancer or another medical condition, but specifically because they are in their twenties or thirties and because of their career or because they haven’t found a partner, need to delay motherhood and are freezing their eggs as a ’safety net’.

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: We are looking for a woman who has been recently widowed who deserves a special day before Christmas.

More info: We are working on a feature where we’re hoping to find a case study who has been through a really hard time this year and need some cheering up before Christmas. So we’re looking for a widow who is really dreading Christmas who we could do something nice for (it’s sort of like a ‘grant a wish’ type of feature, so she can pick whatever she wants to do). If you know if anyone who has a really moving story, we\’d really like to hear from you.

Special criteria: It must be a woman aged 18-35.

 

Story / Case Study Wanted: Young women who’ve bought DIY botox kits online to use at home, perhaps with catastrophic results.

More info: We’re looking for people who have bought DIY botox kits online to inject themselves at home. We need really strong case studies. For example:

- teens using Botox to ward off wrinkles and buying kits online because it’s cheaper and they cannot afford the real thing.

- people who’ve done the injections themselves and got it wrong.

- DIY botoxers risk paralysis and blindness and the drug has also been linked to 16 deaths in the US, so any extreme examples with shocking photos to illustrate.

- any DIY botox addicts, using it more frequently than every 3 months.

- Any other shocking stories linked to DIY botox.

Special criteria: Preferably female.