Q: How do I know my story’s right for you?
A: You might not unless you get in touch. I’m always happy to have a no obligation, confidential chat about your story.
Q: Will it cost me anything to sell my story?
A: No, nothing at all. My fees for writing your story are paid directly by the magazine and are completely separate to your fee for telling your story, so you pay nothing to me.
Q: Will I have to sign a contract?
A: Yes. Magazines insist on people signing contracts to ensure the story is exclusive to them. Signing a contract also means that you have written confirmation that you will be paid.
Q: Will I have to provide photos or have my photo taken?
A: Yes. Magazines usually insist on pictures of all the people involved in a story and they might also want to send a professional photographer to take new pictures of you. Sometimes I can take these pictures myself.
Q: Will you return any precious photos?
A: Yes, all your photographs are kept safe and sound and returned using a ‘signed for’ delivery service. I’ve never lost a photo and don’t intend to!
Q: Can I remain anonymous?
A: Not usually. The only time someone can remain anonymous is if there is a legal reason to do so, for example you’ve been a victim of a sexual assault. However a victim can waive their right to anonymity.
Q: When will I get paid?
A: Once the story has been published, it usually takes around six weeks for the magazines to pay you.
Q: Will you come to see me?
A: Not usually. It’s much quicker to chat over the phone and send pictures through the post or e-mail, rather than spending time travelling these days.
Q: Can you sell my story without me knowing?
A: Absolutely not! I would never try to sell a story without your full permission, besides it would be impossible. Magazines assign their own writers to your story once it has been sent to them which means they may need to ask you more questions and most magazines insist on reading your story through to you again before it is published to ensure you’re 100% happy with it.
Q: Why shouldn’t I go straight to a magazine or national newspaper myself?
A: You could do but you’d find it impossible to get the best deal for yourself and may get less than the true market value for your story. With years of experience, I approach all the magazines and national newspapers for you, ensuring each one has the opportunity to buy your story and that you get the best deal.
Q: Will I be happy with the story?
A: Yes. I carry out a detailed interview with you to ensure I can write an accurate portrayal of your story. Then I read the story out to you and you can make any changes necessary until you’re completely happy with it. Once I send your story to the magazine, a staff writer will work on it again and I can insist on a further read-through of your story before it goes in print.
Q: Can you sell my story to more than one magazine or newspaper?
A: Yes. Once your story has appeared in one magazine or newspaper, I can often arrange it to be featured in another. It means you’ll get paid twice for your story (not necessarily the same amount both times).
Q: What if I don’t want to be paid for my story?
A: I can arrange for a payment to be made directly to the charity of your choice instead.
Q: Do you abide by a Code of Conduct?
A: Yes, I'm a member of the National Union of Journalists and abide by its Code of Conduct.
>Q: I've still got some questions you haven't answered here.
A: No problem. If you've still got some questions, we can have a chat and I'll try my best to answer them. Just phone me on 0779 468 0547 or e-mail sarah@sellmystoryuk.co.uk
