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Samantha Mattocks

Writer, photographer, award-winning journalist, magazine publisher, and foodie. MasterChef 2019

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Samantha Mattocks

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Black kitten cat with paws extended in front of him
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Leaving pawprints on my heart

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021March 25, 2021 Leave a Comment on Leaving pawprints on my heart

So many people lucky enough to be truly owned by a pet often feel bereft at the passing of their beloved four-legged family member. There is no funeral, there is no eulogy, there is no order of service, But the life that they lived with their pet was just as important, just as valid, if …

Sandstorm, debut novel by Samantha Mattocks
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Sandstorm in the press!

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021March 19, 2021 2 Comments on Sandstorm in the press!

I was delighted to be interview by Emma Lee for a feature in this weekend’s Eastern Daily Press Heaven supplement. The interview was all about my debut novel, Sandstorm, and it was an honour to be able to talk about the writing process with Emma. This weekend’s supplement is a book special, and will be …

a library full of books
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Interview for World Book Day

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on March 19, 2021March 11, 2021 Leave a Comment on Interview for World Book Day

I had great fun this morning as I was interview by a group of Year 6 pupils as part of their World Book Day celebrations. I went to university with the form’s teacher, Mrs Gresty, and the class at the Hollins Grundy school in Bury had some great questions! These ranged from have I always …

different women celebrating International Women's Day 2021
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International Women’s Day 2021

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on March 8, 2021March 8, 2021 Leave a Comment on International Women’s Day 2021

To all the women who think that they are not good enough – you are. To all the women who think they are useless and unworthy – you are valued. To all the women who think they are ugly – you are beautiful. To all the women who think that they are unlovable – you …

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Mad March hares

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021March 1, 2021 Leave a Comment on Mad March hares

It was something of a relief to turn over the calendar to a new month this morning. January was full of dark and grey days and, in spite of it being my birthday month, I struggled. Then came the rain and snow of February, and it felt as though winter would never end. Spring always …

enter sign
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Competition time!

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021January 15, 2021 Leave a Comment on Competition time!

I thought I’d do my first giveaway of 2021 and this one is all around reviews! I know that so many of you have read and enjoyed Sandstorm. Reviews really are the lifeblood for an author, so if you are able to leave a review either on goodreads, Amazon, or The Arabian Magazine Shop, that …

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An interview by Business Life Online

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021October 10, 2020 Leave a Comment on An interview by Business Life Online

During the height of lockdown last summer, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Business Life Online for their podcast. The brainchild of Richard Maun and Anna Stevenson, the podcast (which is also available on Spotify) The focus was on writing – how I write, how I got into writing and, of course, Sandstorm …

Summer days July 2020
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September days

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021September 7, 2020 Leave a Comment on September days

Oh autumn, how I love thee… The bounty in the hedgerows, that amazing light as the sun begins its descent in the sky, and that slight chill in the air that makes you begin to think about log fires and big bowls of veggie-packed stews and soups. There is no doubt that 2020 has been …

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Sandstorm – an update

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021September 1, 2020 Leave a Comment on Sandstorm – an update

Wow, I have been totally blown away by the response to my publishing Sandstorm in print. And print is definitely not dead – this edition has outsold the digital by 2:1. Great news! What has amazed me most are the amazing reviews coming in for my debut novel – even from people who are not …

Sandstorm cover
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Sandstorm – moving into print!

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021July 14, 2020 Leave a Comment on Sandstorm – moving into print!

I am like a child at Christmas right now, waiting for the proof copy of Sandstorm to arrive! Yes, the time has come for me to launch my debut novel in print. I am hoping that the book will be available by 1 August, and am now taking pre-orders. It has been so well received …

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Contact

E-mail is the best way to reach me - please use the address below and I will get back to you as soon as possible! Thank you, Samantha

  • write@samanthamattocks.com

The latest on instagram

  • The latest edition of @eatnourishdrink is now out, and I was delighted to write the cover story about @dukes.head.somerleyton and @wheatacrewhitelion - both of which are truly 'destination delicious'! I was also asked to take some photos of the team, and the food, something that I love to do. Check them out and give them a follow - and do visit; that chocolate fondant was the BEST I have had in my life! Link in bio.

@chef_terry_balme @chefarchiet_ @chef_lucy_ @jacoboddy 

 #journalist #journalists #journalistic #photographer #photographerlife #foodphoto #foodphotoshoot #foodphotograph #foodphotography #foodphotographer #foodphotooftheday #chocolatefondant #dukesheadsomerleyton #whitelionwheatacre #nourishmagazine #nourishmagazineuk #eatnourishdrink #cover #coverfeature #foodie #foodielife #foodiegram #writer #writersofig #samanthamattocks #destinationdelicious
  • I haven't written creatively for a while, so this morning I used the storm outside as a prompt and just wrote. Here is an extract for you to enjoy - embracing the path of the #fearlesswriter @bethkempton

#thepathofthefearlesswriter #prompt #storms #wind #creative #creativity #unlock #writer #author #writersworld #creativeminds #samanthamattocks #authorlife #creativemind #freewriting #expressive #write #writeaway #writerswrite #writingretreat #unlockcreativity
  • I am not feeling all that well today, either a reaction to some supplements I am taking for my PCOS or a bug. I actually went back to bed this afternoon as I felt so awful. This one has been by my side all day, and he stayed as close as he could to me when I returned to bed. The comfort of our four-legged family when you don't feel great is amazing - as is a cup of tea made the way my dear nanna would, with a million spoonfuls of sugar.
  • #love the latest #bookreview of #sandstorm #thankyou

#thearabianstormseries #samanthamattocks #lust #love #romance #romanceread #romancebook #author #writer #fivestars #goodread #jillycooper #racy #racyread #buynow
  • I love old buildings. There is just something about them. I often think 'if walls could talk...' as there is so much history within, and these old buildings inspire my imagination.

I was lucky enough to go to @elmsbarnweddings the other night for a special and delicious evening of Tuscan food and wine - more on @thedelicatediner later - but the different textures of this 17th century barn fascinated me. As did the light - soft and romantic, it was perfect for an author's mind and a photographer's eye.

I love the warm glow in this photo - and it even has something of the Harry Potter tap on the wall to get to Diagon Alley about it! I wonder where I will end up if I tap them?

#history #oldwalls #bricks #oldbricks #17thcentury #brickwork #elmsbarnweddings #tuscannight #inspiration #imagination #author #photographer #softlight #light #harrypotter #diagonalley #taptap #magic #magical #romantic #romance #glow #photography #vibes #writersworld #writerslife
  • I love this! Me, on a very big screen, with two classes - Years 5 & 6 - yesterday for #WorldBookDay! 

The children submitted some brilliant questions for me to answer, some of which weren't easy! They then enjoyed the very first reading from my children's book, @mistermishkins Apothecary, out later this year. They gave some candid, and brilliant, feedback, and also got to see the main man himself as he walked across the screen! 

Thank you to my lovely uni pal Mary Vic for arranging me to talk to her class once again. Having first done this in 2021 as something to lift the children after lockdown, it has now become an annual date on our calendar. I love that, though this World Book Day conversation, I am, in some small way, inspiring young minds. 

🧡

#inspire #children #creative #creativeminds #samanthamattocks #writer #author #gratitude #mistermishkinsapothecary #teaser #magicalmistermishkinsseries #magic #youngminds #authorinterview #authorlife #creativemind #year5 #year6 #bookclub #reading #favourites #author #books #booklover #library #bookaddict #dreamer #lovetoread #love
  • Today is one of my favourite days of the year - #WorldBookDay and I will be talking once again to a group of Year 6s at my friend's school. I look forward to this interview every year, when they ask me questions about favourite books to Disney, and you can see inquiring minds grow. 

But what about you? Let me know what you are reading - either for yourself, in a book club, or to your children. I'd love to hear. 

 #worldbookday2023 #worldbookday #inspire #youngminds #authorinterview #authorlife #creativemind #year10 #children #bookclub #reading #favourites #author #books #booklover #library #bookaddict #dreamer #lovetoread
  • Hello March! This year is already racing by at an alarming pace, but a new page on a calendar always gives time to pause, reflect, and plan ahead for the coming month. 

I have many exciting projects on the go, but I also have some creative time planned in this month so I can keep that side of me happy. Poetry, photography, edits to my children's book, and Firestorm are all in the plan - as are a couple of other creative releases I am working on for later this year; watch this space! 

Have a great month all, and do let me know what you are up to. Samantha x

#march #creative #creativewriting #creativephotography #creatives #creativelivehappylife #poetry #childrensbooks #thearabianstormseries #writer #author #projects #newpage #blankpage #calendar #creativepreneur #creativeminds #creativeinspiration #writersconnection #tellmeyournews #samanthamattocks #letsdothis
  • I have been a little quiet on here lately. Last month, I lost a wonderful friend, and yesterday was his funeral. Mike was part of my Arabian horse community, and we have all felt his loss terribly. 

This photo was taken at a wedding in Wales over a decade ago. Not long after, Mike finally met and married the woman of his dreams, and while I am so, so happy he had that love and soul mate, my heart just aches for his wife left behind.

Life is so short. So precious. Make sure you tell those you love that you love them. Don't hold grudges. And always be the very best you can be; the trouble is, we think we have time...

#grief #sadness #loss #restinpeace #quiet #quiettime #friendship #love #heartache #wethinkwehavetime #pain #lifeisshort #bethebestyou #liveyourlife #missyou #forever
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