Press Gazette saved from possible closure

News in that the much-loved Press Gazette - the trade press for the industry in the UK, has been saved from possible closure after being acquired by publisher Progressive Media. News coverage on the website and on Press Gazette’s network of blogs will apparently resume today and the May issue of the magazine will go out as normal. Press Gazette will also be moving offices this week from Old Street to Paddington. The new address will be announced in due course.

Recipe for writing success

Writer Adele Parks, 40, described in the Times earlier this year, how she set out to become a writer - and achieved her goal.

Her comments are inspiring, but rather daunting. She has talent but worked hard to succeed. A combination of flair and slog in equal measure.

"Because I was very goal-orientated, I followed the regime that my husband used to train for marathons. He exercised three hours a day, three days a week and five hours at the weekend. I took the same timetable to write and devised a work plan: what I should read, how much I should write and the structure of the book.

"My plan was to drop off the first three chapters and a synopsis to my agent on my 30th birthday. A friend who had been reading my first draft came across an interview with Jonny Geller, of Curtis Brown, who said he liked 10-word pitches.

"So I dropped the work into his office the day before my birthday and with it I put a synopsis with the words...'Anna Karenina meets Bridget Jones but heroine gets to live'. He loved it."

Journalism "sinks" to new low with yet another bizarre award

I've blogged earlier about the annual journalism award for writing about turkeys (posted Friday 3 April). Now there's this - a journalism award for the best writing about ceramic tiles and bathroom furnishings. I know journalism is in a poorly state - but this, er, "sinks" to a new low.

Ceramic Tiles of Italy Journalism Award 2009Deadline: 15/05/09Details: This award will recognise the best published article/report on the Italian ceramic tile industry and/or Cersaie 2008 (the international exhibition of ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings).Prize: The prize is a commemorative plaque to be awarded at the international press conference at Cersaie 2009, along with a three-day stay in Rome for two people prior to the conference, with travel, board and lodging paid for.Address: Press Office, Ceramic Tiles of Italy, Viale Monte Santo 40, 41049 Sassuolo ItalyTelephone: +39 0536 818 111 Fax: +39 0536 807 935Email: info@italiatiles.comWeb: http://www.journalism.co.uk/shorturl/GGHWB/

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Annoying habits of PRs

My mobile is ringing. I'm driving in a busy line of traffic. I pull the car up on a kerb, answer the phone, and...

Anonymous enthusiastic female voice: "Hi, is that Liz. Is now a good time."

Me: "No" (Thinks...but does it make any difference what I answer you will carry on regardless anyway.)

Anonymous voice: "Hi, my name is Camilla. I'm calling from Whatever, Whatever- with-the-posh-office-in-central-London Public Relations Company... Did you get my press release? Yes, it was about how green tea can reduce ridges in your nails, now it's summer time. Apparently, Emma Bunton has been seen drinking green tea and she has lovely nails. I was just wondering if you might be interested in writing a story about this?"

Me: Thinks (Er, No. Not if it was the last possible press release on the planet. Get lost, have you seen my inbox full of PR crap - email after email of story-free press releases about stuff I would never ever write about. And PR salaries are probably double journalists (not that I'm bitter. Well actually I am) Have you no idea what a "story" actually is. AAAAGhhhh. Go away Camilla).

Me: Actually says "Oh thanks, but it's not really my kind of thing. But thanks anyway".

AAAAAAAAAAAghhh. I know PRs are told to ring after they have sent a press release, to check the journalist has received it. But how tedious and how ridiculous is this. If it were a story and I were interested in it, I would ring the PR.

Tips for coming up with freelance feature ideas

As a freelance journalist, my revenue is partly dictated by how many good ideas I can come up with. Not surprisingly, I am obsessed with seeking out ways to up my ideas flow and I have a bookshelf full of 'boost your creativity' books. Here's a few of the ideas-boosting techniques I use.

Power brainstorming
A Moleskine notebook - http://www.moleskine.co.uk/ is ideal for this. Write the numbers 1 to 100, then without thinking about it too much, power through writing a hundred things that are preoccupying, interesting, puzzling or annoying you now. This is a numbers game - but I would expect to find one or two gem ideas in here. Then do it again - another hundred. And again. I guarantee you'll have at least one saleable idea after this exercise.

Email all your friends and ask them what they want to read
Did this recently and it yielded some interesting results. Just send an email to friends, colleagues and anybody else I could think of. I told them I was thinking up feature ideas, and was there anything they would be interested in reading about? Grass roots reader research.

Trade magazines
One of the most lucrative sources of ideas. Many news stories break in trade magazines and professional journals. I particularly love catering and obscure food magazines. Even if they don't give you a direct idea, they will start the thinking process.

Random word pairs game
Here's one for when I'm feeling really stuck. Putting two ideas together can make a feature. Write 30 random nouns around the subject area you specialise in (children, pets, desk, toys). Cut them up and turn them face down. Then play noun pairs. Pull out two and see if you can turn them into a feature idea. I pulled out 'toys' and 'children' and it got me thinking about how children today have way too many toys and probably don't appreciate them. It was a subject I realised I felt strongly about - and there was plenty of new research on it. So ultimately this led to a piece in Guardian Family. The result is posted on the cuttings section of my website www.lizhollis.co.uk

Discover the opposite
One of my favourites for releasing some good ideas. Think of a cliche - such as 'young people go on gap years' - then think if there is material in a feature that shows exactly the opposite can be true. 'Old people on gap years'.

Overheard in a cafe
This one's a little odd, but I've come up with some good ideas this way. Sit in a busy cafe - and listen in on conversations. Making notes in your Moleskine as you go - people will think you are busy writing your latest novel. Unfortunately, for every gem idea, you have to listen to an awful lot of drivel. But if people are talking about something, they'll be interested in reading about it too.

Replay conversations with friends
Hope my friends won't mind me admitting this, but at my desk after a supper or gathering - I go back over the subject areas the conversations drifted over. I can often pick out some feature ideas - or at least some starter points for more research.

Probably the most bizarre journalism award - ever.

This press release just came in the office. I know journalists love awards - so here's one that's up for grabs...if you're really desperate. A good one for any journalists based in Norfolk - perhaps I'll have a go myself. How about Turkey and Cadbury's Cream Egg Risotto, Turkey Jelly with Quail Ice Cream boules or Turkey and Aniseed Pie. Mmmm...

Press release from FML Public Relations

Here’s a chance to be – British Turkey Recipe Writer of the Year!

British Turkey is inviting entries for the British Turkey Recipe Writer of the Year – and it could be you!

To win this prestigious title, simply send us a copy of your published recipe using British turkey. This can include fresh, frozen, whole birds, crown roast or leg joints, portions such as turkey mince, diced turkey, turkey steaks or breast fillets. It can be a recipe to feed a crowd or an intimate dinner for two. The only rule is that it features turkey and been published (print or broadcast media or website) within the last 12 months.

Judges will be looking for creative, modern and stylish recipes using the different cuts of turkey as the hero of the dish. The closing date for entries is 31^st July 2009.

Shortlisted entries will be invited to a glittering black tie dinner at Claridge’s on 24^th September 2009, when the winner will be announced.

Just fill in the form below and post, with a colour photocopy of your published recipe to:

Emma Turner

FML Public Relations

8 High Street

Hurstpierpoint

West Sussex. BN6 9TY

For further information, e-mail emma@fml-pr.co.uk or call 01273 834716 and ask for Emma Turner or Jane Saward.

Name …………………………………………………Tel No…………………………..

Job title ……………………………………………………………………………………

Place of work ……………………………………………………………………………..

Publication which featured recipe ………………………………………………………………………………………………

Date of issue ………………………………………………………………………………