Selling Stories to the Press - The Truth
How much money do people really get for selling a real-life story? And what are the pitfalls?
Before you do anything, read my insider’s guide to selling your true story …
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Why shouldn’t I sell my story directly to a magazine or newspaper?
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I’ve already been approached by several women’s magazines/national newspapers to sell my story.
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Can I sell my story to promote a charity, business or my novel?
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Why sell my story through featureworld.co.uk?
As your media agent, I ensure a personalised tailor-made service for you.
Selling your story through Featureworld.co.uk means you can leave all the hard
work to me. Furthermore, I can choose the best place for your story. I will approach
several
women’s magazines and national newspapers to get the best deal
for your story. I can also sometimes sell your story to multiple publications,
even abroad, maximising the amount you earn for your story.
I regularly sell stories to magazines and newspapers including Best, That's Life, Woman, Take a Break, Family Circle, More, Real People, Reveal, The Daily Mail, The Sun, The Daily Mirror, Sunday People, Love it!, Bella, Chat and many more. Some interviewees also go on to appear on TV in documentaries, real-life chat shows such as Trisha or programmes such as This Morning. See Recent Stories and Sell your story for Charity to see how others did it.
Why shouldn’t I sell my story directly to a magazine or newspaper?
Quite simply, selling your story yourself to a magazine or newspaper is unlikely to gain you the best deal. For example, you could end up underselling your story or you could price yourself out of a deal. Worse, you could even end up signing a contract that loses you money.
Selling a story is a highly specialised business. It involves knowing the right people in magazines and newspapers, the type of stories they like and how much they are willing to pay for them.
Unfortunately, selling your story directly
isn’t a straightforward process and does not mean you will get more money.
Women’s magazines and national newspapers receive hundreds of story ideas every day via email and sack loads by post. Selling your story through Featureworld.co.uk will ensure it stands out from the rest and is seen fast by the right person.
Furthermore, if you rush and try selling your story yourself and it’s rejected, it may make it virtually impossible for me to go back and place it for you. Many women’s magazines and national newspapers will only pay big money for exclusive stories so take professional advice before steaming ahead.
Will I have to sign a contract?
When you sell your story through Featureworld.co.uk, I will confirm in an email how much you will be paid and where your story will appear.
Virtually all magazines and newspapers will want you to sign a contract to
say you’ve agreed they can print your story and they’ve agreed to
pay you a set amount. This is generally good practice because it means you have
everything in writing and ensures you are paid. But there are pitfalls.
Contracts from national newspapers and women’s magazines can look deceptively simple. But it’s extremely important to take independent and unbiased advice before signing anything.
If you are currently considering a contract or offer from a women’s magazine or national newspaper, you can still email me and I will go over all your options again and check it for you before you sign.
It is important not to sign anything you are unsure about because then you will be legally tied to that women’s magazine or newspaper and extracting yourself from it may involve costs to you.
I’ve already been approached by several women’s magazines/national newspapers to sell my story.
Email me and I will ring you straight back. We will go through all your options together and decide the best way forward. I can then represent your best interests and negotiate on your behalf. Again, never be rushed into a decision or into signing anything before taking independent and unbiased advice.
So, I’ve decided to sell my story. What happens now?
Firstly go to the Sell My Story page or email me with some brief details. If you sell your story through Featureworld.co.uk, it is a simple process, which will take little of your time. If your real-life story does have potential, I will discuss fully all the options with you and tell you which newspapers and magazines may be most interested. Once I have a firm commission for your story, I will then do a full interview (either by phone or personal visit and always at your convenience) and you may be photographed. I will write your feature, and go through it with you to check you are happy with it before it is sent to the publication.
How much money will you sell my story for?
Although the average payment from national newspapers and women’s
magazine is 
anything from £50 up to £500, they will pay much more
for strong true-life stories. A particularly good true story can command anything
from £500 to £1000.
But payments can go into the £1000s if yours is a story everyone wants. And of course a front-page exclusive in a national newspaper may rightly command much higher fees.
I will be able to tell you straightaway how strong your story is. Whether your story makes a few paragraphs or a front-page exclusive, I will negotiate to get you the best deal. I also run a follow-up service to check you have received your payment.
Don’t forget, if you sell your story through Featureworld.co.uk, I may be able to sell it on to multiple publications, even abroad, to maximise your earnings. See recent stories page to read about others who did just that.
Do I have to pay you anything?
No. No commission is taken out of your fee. My service, which includes all advice before your feature is sold, and after it appears, comes completely free. I get paid by the women’s magazine or national newspaper for writing the feature.
What if I don't have a great story to sell?
I don't only sell stories for people. I also take on commissions from newspapers and magazines and then I'm often looking for people to be in them. Sometimes I am simply searching for single parents or big families or people who enjoyed an unusual holiday. So, it's worth going to Sell my Story and registering with a few brief details about yourself. Then, I will contact you if I have something suitable. If you decide to contribute to the feature, you will still be paid as above.
Most magazines and newspapers will not pay much for real-life stories from
people who want to remain anonymous.
However, there are times when legally publications cannot use someone's real name. I will be happy to discuss all the options with you.
Can I ask for some advice and take time to think about it?
Selling your story should be a satisfying experience and you should never be rushed into a decision.
Chats where we initially discuss selling your story, which women’s magazine or national newspaper might buy it and how much you may sell your story for are confidential and you may need time to consider what I've said or speak to your family before coming to a decision.
You will never be 'interviewed' straight away - I always arrange a convenient time to ring you back.
Can I sell my story to promote a charity, business or my novel?
Yes, it's easy to forget that for many people selling their story isn't just about getting the most money for it. Many people find sharing their story with readers is an excellent way to help others or generally gain publicity for their charity or cause. See the Featureworld.co.uk charity page to read about people who've done just that.
You may have been through a real-life experience that has inspired you to write a fiction or non-fiction novel. If this is you go to the Sell my Novel page or email me details about the experience that inspired your writing. If your real-life story is printed, you will be paid and we may be able to publicise your novel in the copy.
My career began straight from school in 1981 making tea for staff at a London
press agency. Following six months memorising how everyone took their tea and
coffee, I was at last given the chance to become a trainee journalist. 
After
four more years of studying law and working as a trainee reporter, I finally
became a fully qualified NCTJ journalist in 1985. I’ve worked for the national
press for over 20 years with 15 of those years spent as an independent freelance
journalist. Before specialising in writing and researching features, I worked
as a national news and crime reporter covering dozens of cases at crown courts,
magistrates courts, employment tribunals, strikes, demonstrations and sadly,
covering several cases of missing children and horrific national disasters. I’ve
lost count of the number of true-life stories I’ve sold to women’s
magazines and national newspapers. But, because I take a personal interest in
every story I write, I never forget anyone I interview. I’m pleased to
say that many people whose stories I’ve sold have become firm friends.
Do you abide by a code of Practice?
Yes, I abide by the code of Practice set out by the organisation that governs professional journalists, newspapers and magazines. Click here to read it.
Some publicity agents will sell your story for you, leaving you to talk directly to other journalists on the newspaper or magazine. But I
write all my own stories so you will never have to speak to anyone
else.
