Journo Case Study request group - Facebook

A Facebook group has been set up where journalists can put out appeals for case studies and PRs can post information about their clients. Find it under 'Journo Case Study Requests'. Information from the group below...

"If you're a journalist looking for case studies for a feature and want to reach a larger range of people, post your request here!! And the more 'regular' people the better too as they're our targets! PLEASE, if you've got any case study requests, start a new thread on the discussion board. If you're a PR, please post on the wall. The discussion board is for case study requests.Thanks!!"

How to publicise your book

Former bookseller and Rough Guides editor Fran Sandham has recently published his first book Traversa, about his experiences walking solo across Africa from the Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean at Zanzibar. He has written a very useful article giving his tips on how to get a book deal and publicise your book. It is posted on the Freelance Writing Tips website.

Journalists have until the end of the week to submit an idea to MELD Lab - a world first project: bringing together the best northern journalists and new media practitioners. Briefs from are Sky News, Johnston Press and Haymarket Media Teams care now online. Teams can contain up to three people and one member must have journalistic experience. Meld are offering a ‘match-making’ service, so if you have an idea but don't know where to find a journalist or new media practitioner to join your team, ring Meld on 0114 221 0454 or mail info@meldonline.org.

Getting story information from PRs

I've stumbled across this online article which I contributed to last year today while searching for something else. It is aimed at journalists and writers in the US but has some good tips about ways to find stories by developing relationships with PR people and links to useful resources.

The article is written by freelance journalist Rachel Newcombe, read it by clicking here.

Book review and Linda Walker in the MEN

Check out this review about the aforementioned 'Best Freelance Writing Book in the World' by Linda Jones. I'm a bit disappointed as I can't go to the launch now. Work schedule and all that...such are the pressures of freelance writing. I'm doing some interim PR work for the NHS at the moment and haven't been able to swap my day.

The launch is in Birmingham and I was also going to go along to a GTC (General Teaching Council) hearing which is coincidentally taking place there during the day. I'm working on a book with another Linda...Linda Walker, don't know if you remember her. Manchester teacher who was sent to prison for firing an air rifle at some youths who had been targeting her home. There was a public outcry and she was eventually released early but her conviction wasn't quashed and she is due to find out if she will be banned from teaching on Thursday. Shame I can't go, I'll be finding out on the phone instead so should be interesting. There's a piece about it in the MEN today, see this link, and apparently there might be some coverage in the nationals over the next few days...

Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World...Ever

Linda Jones is an inspiring journalist/PR/blogger/all-round busy person based in the West Midlands. She runs several blogs about freelance writing and one about twins (she also has twin daughters! Makes you feel bad about complaining you're too busy doesn't it). Now she is also releasing a book called 'The Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World. Yes, she's also modest.

The foreword is by Jan Murray of JournoBiz, a great networking website for journalists, PRs, and anyone interested in writing. Linda's book is on general release from September 30 and a supporting blog at http://www.freelancewritingtips.com/ is also packed with ‘no-nonsense’ advice on the business of freelance journalism. The book costs £5.50 instead of £6.99 if ordered direct from the publishers, to include postage and packing. It's bound to be both humorous and practical and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Melding and blogging

I went along to the launch of a new ideas development project which aims to 'meld the skills of Northern journalist and interactive designers' to develop content for innovative new media platforms last night. It was at the Moet bar at Selfridges so you can tell designers are involved, a distinctly un-hack like venue!

The launch was somewhat shrouded in mystery and not everything became clear at the launch but it's definitely an interesting concept. The idea is for journos, film makers and developers to get together and suggest a project to develop during a week-long 'Meld Lab' at UCLAN's Sandbox. At the end of the week the teams pitch their ideas to commissioning editors from Sky TV, Johnson Press and Haymarket. There is a second launch in Leeds on the 15th although there were only a couple of places left the other day. Email info@meldonline.org if you're interested.

After that I nipped over to the Manchester Blog Awards at Matt & Phred's. Only caught the end but congrats to Mancubist who won the Best Art and Culture Blog Award. The event was part of the Manchester Literature Festival, which is on until the 14th.