Why First Features?

There is only one answer – we are the agency that puts YOU first! The moment you decide to sell your story through First Features we start working on your behalf. We are here for you all hours of the day and night. We will protect you by giving you expert advice every step of the way, guiding you through the process so that it doesn't feel strange or difficult. In the end, it might feel like you are simply sharing your story with a good friend! But don't just take our word for it – listen to what our clients have to say:

"We wanted to tell our story to gain closure on a difficult period in our relationship and that's exactly what we got. We were a bit nervous at first about talking to the press but Gemma made it so easy. We even got to read the piece before it got published and the First Features team made sure we were totally happy with it before it went to print. Seeing ourselves in two national magazines was a very strange but positive experience. I feel so proud that we've done it. And the money we made was enough to put down a deposit for our wedding, so it's been a great help. Thank you!"

Keren Sleigh's story appeared in NOW magazine and Pick Me Up in August 2009

"First Features has helped my daughter Zara and me to get our story in four different magazines and the team is even working on a TV deal for us in the new year. We never imagined our story would be of so much interest but going to First Features has really helped us raise awareness of our rare disease, lipodystrophy. Everyone was so friendly and they kept in touch the whole way through the process so we always knew what was going on. I couldn't have asked for more.

Tracey and Zara's story appeared in Reveal in September 2009, Woman's Own in November, in the January edition of Sugar and has been sold to Australian Woman's Day

"When I decided to try and sell my story to raise some money and bring my late daughter's remains back from Italy to the UK I had no idea what to expect. I spoke to Katy and Gemma at First Features after finding them on the internet and they explained the whole process to me in detail before I decided to do anything. Then they went through my emotional story with me in detail and we built up a real rapport. They made it easy for me to talk about a sensitive subject and I was able to raise enough cash to bring my little girl home, which has made a huge difference to my family. Nothing was too much trouble. Thank you First Features."

Roxanne Sandiford sold her story to That's Life in July 2009 and a follow up story is planned for the new year

"Katy, I just wanted to say thank you for your sensitivity and understanding while handling our story regarding our children being abused by a teenager placed with us via a local authority scheme.

It was a very difficult time for us. Your professionalism and support throughout was much appreciated, particularly with regard to maintaining our anonymity. Thank you too for being available at any time.

We finally managed to get our story across to help in our attempts to prevent anything as horrible as our experience happening to anyone else, and the money you earned for us has gone a long way toward helping secure our future so that we can provide a stable foundation for our children. Once again, thank you for your help. It was so much easier going to the press having someone with your experience being there to guide us."

Peter and Jenny's story appeared in the News of the World, March 2009 and was featured on ITN

"Telling my story about my ex and the lies he told helped me to deal with the situation and move on, and also potentially warn other women about him. Katy contacted me immediately after I emailed her through the Features First website and was quick to explain the process. She took plenty of time getting all the details and wrote me a rough draft so I was able to make sure I was happy with the story she was offering to the various publications. She kept me informed several times a day as to which magazines were interested, and how much they were willing to pay, and was happy for me to decide which magazine to choose. She then fully supported me whilst the magazine redrafted the story, and has continued to keep in contact after the story was published. She is easy to talk to, warm and very supportive. I am glad Katy was there to guide me through the process, and I am now moving on with my life."

Emma Williamson, Cheshire
Story printed in Full House magazine in May 2006 and The Mirror in June 2006

"Katy, I just wanted you to know that I don't know what made me contact you last year because I am not a person that seeks attention at all. I do know that I went through a very traumatic time and was subconciously looking for something. I now realise that you helped me a great deal. When I told you my story as you know I was very nervous but you put me at ease with your caring, sympathetic and professional manner. I look back and now know that telling you of my experience had a very positive affect on me because it stopped me having frightening flashbacks. So thank you very much!"

Maureen Round, West Midlands

"I loved the article about my weight loss – I wanted to tell my story to bring comfort and hope to others who feel they've lost control of their weight. To show them it is possible to turn your life around. This really came across in the article. It was accurate, really well written and Katy was always on hand whenever I needed to talk."

Gail Tomlinson, north London
Story printed in The Mirror - March 2006

"We were very pleased with the way First Features handled the story of our daughter Jenny's death. This was not an easy thing for us to do – even now, four years after she was killed, we are still coming to terms with the fact that we have lost our daughter. But Katy made us feel comfortable enough to talk about the subject and we feel the article was done really well and in a very sensitive way."

Brian and Margaret Linton, Berkshire
Story printed in Real People magazine – March 2006

"Katy - I must say a big thank you! You have been exceptionally good, and in this day and age it's so refreshing to be treated as a person not just a number on the end of phone or email. Right from the start you said you would call me back and your replies to email have both been prompt, you have not kept me waiting. I was so surprised that you took such positive action so quickly. I will have no hesitation in recommending family or friends to call you if they have a good story to tell. It's so good to share an experience with others."

Marilyn Woodland, Bristol
Story printed in Full House magazine in January 2007

"This was a lovely piece and inspiring piece. I've had such a lot of positive feedback from my story. But more importantly, it has helped me come to terms with the assault I suffered and now I feel I can close that chapter in my life and move on. Thank you for everything."

Sunita Rai, London
Story printed in Prima magazine – March 2006

"Dear Katy, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate all you did for me in regards to my story. I am very happy with the piece and found it really easy to talk to you about my past. The process was simple and I am grateful that you were able to tell my story in exactly the way I wanted. Thank you again for your help."

Zoe Gajadar, London
Story printed Full House magazine - February 2006

"The article about my daughter Rebecca was lovely - everyone who has read it and knows Rebecca's story has said how nice it was. Thank you Katy for being there whenever I needed reassurance. This has been a very good experience for me."

Angela Meakin, Doncaster
Story printed in The Mirror - February 2006

"I desperately needed to tell my story and get it published. I had suffered for years and nobody believed me. It was also very important to family who wanted to see my husband take responsibility for his unpunished crimes. The very act of going through and telling the story was therapeutic, in as much as it helped to put everything in perspective. Katy responded immediately, she understood the angles of my particular story instantly. Both my family and I were questioned with a high degree of sensitivity and compassion. I have been that impressed with the service I have had, that I have already recommended a friend. Thank you for all your hard work on my behalf."

Rachel Titheridge, Spain
Story printed in Full House magazine – March 2006

"First Features did a fantastic job with my story – Katy and her team made it so easy for me to talk about my harrowing miscarriages. They were kind, understanding and wrote it so well I cried when I read it! It was spot on. If anyone else is thinking about selling their story, they should definitely use First Features."

Sarah Crook, Southampton
Story printed in The Mirror – February 2006