Got a story?
What stories do I like writing?
The following information will help people who may like to pitch me a story idea. Overall, I’m interested in non-commercial stories with a strong technology element. Please do not pitch business to business (B2B) stories (I suggest you try the trade press for that). I am enthusiastic about technology stories which will interest newspaper readers. So before you make any suggestions, please take a close look at what I’ve written before…does your idea really fit in?
By clicking on the tags below (or within the tag cloud on the sidebar), you’ll be able to read some examples.
Sending me press releases?
My preferred way of looking at press releases is through RSS feeds. That way, I can quickly sift through many different releases without my inbox suffering an overload. But if you have a story (perhaps an embargoed release), please send if it closely fits my criteria. Otherwise, send me a short email message describing what you have and I’ll let you know.
Spam, scams, and phishing
Always makes for a good story if there’s a UK element or strong factors that may affect UK internet users or consumers.
Medical
This topic has to have a good element of technology, perhaps a new device or diagnostic method based on technology rather than pure medicine (e.g. not a new drug treatment or fundamental research).
Tags: Medical
Energy
Wind, solar, wave and tidal. Energy harvesting. Energy saving. Research with prototypes.
Tags: Energy
Broadband
We all rely on it. Though some people have a much faster connection than others!
Tags: Broadband
Miscellaneous
Stuff I’ve not otherwise tagged but including various technology stories from universities.
Tags: Miscellaneous
University Research
As universities are a rich source of interesting stories, it’s worth defining what makes a good university research related story. I’m not interested in pure research but laboratory work that is leading to the development of new technologies. If you have a prototype, that’s good. If you have just started a spinout company, then that’s interesting. But if you’re in the later stages of commercialisation, perhaps not. And what you’re doing will be interesting to people, not just other scientists.
Tags: Medical, Energy, Miscellaneous (also try the tag cloud in the sidebar)
Platte International
This story from March 2007 (when it was Micro Bill Systems) turned into a marathon with follow-up stories as recently as June 2009. Essentially, it’s all about popup billing and its effects on consumers. While Platte has withdrawn from the UK and debt collection activities ceased, there are still some unresolved elements (VAT, OFT) so any story tip-offs are welcome.
Tags: Platte International, MBS (Micro Bill Systems)
Confidential Sources
Sometimes I’m contacted by people who wish to remain ‘off-the-record’ but are able to provide inside information for a story. That’s fine by me.
Contact me
Please see the sidebar for my contact details.
