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Samantha Mattocks

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

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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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Recent Posts

  • Date palms in Oman credit Samantha Mattocks
    The Writer

    Oasis in Oman

  • Jerash, Jordan. Copyright Samantha Mattocks
    The Writer

    A rich heritage – Jordan

  • Sandstorm Samantha Mattocks
    The Writer

    An amazing Sandstorm review

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

  • One of my things for 2023 is to share more of my writings and work. I took part in a @bethkempton winter writing retreat at the start of the month, and it has definitely triggered creativity within me. 

So, in the spirit of sharing, here is a piece I wrote on Sunday while in Oman. We visited an oasis, surrounded by date palms, and I managed to enjoy a few moments of solitude, to be one with nature, and to just listen and observe. I hope you like it - link in bio.

Samantha x

 #writer #writerslife #writersofig #oman #omantravel #omantourism #inspiration #traveltheworld #travelphotography #travelling #samanthamattocks #author #authorlife #authorsofig #photography #photographer #photographerlife #datepalms #solitude #creative #creativespace #bethkempton
  • Heading home from incredible Oman. Very happy to have found balance on this trip, with little windows of creative pockets found amid the incredible @alrubatiya International Arabian Horse Championships. My heart is full; shukran. 

#oman #alrubatiya_international_arabian_horse_championship #firestorm #thearabianstormseries #thearabianmagazinecom #balance #creative #traveller #wanderlust #middleeast #arabianhorses #samanthamattocks #mylife #january #2023 #writer #journalist #photographer #ocean #quiettime #lifebalance #work #creativespace
  • Beautiful handmade Omani copper oil pots @alrubatiya Oman has been a beautiful country to visit - one more day and then back to England tomorrow in the early hours.

#traveller #oman #muscat #alrubatiya_international_arabian_horse_championship #thearabianmagazine #photographer #journalist #samanthamattocks #copper #heritage #culture #wanderlust
  • Today is Cheese Lover's Day! Who knew that there was such a thing - although I must confess, I do love cheese and think that it having its own 'day' is no bad thing. 

What's your favourite? I love most kinds, although I am a huge fan of Parmigiano Reggiano; it is so versatile and it goes with everything, not just pasta. Try a pillowy grating of fresh Parmigiano next time you have a poached egg or mashed potato leftovers - it makes all the difference!

I came across the @parmigianoreggiano in this photo when I was in Assisi a few years back. It was magnificent! And while I tried to pick it up to see whether it would fit in my handbag, the weight defeated me! No surprise given that a full wheel weighs in at 72lbs!

Happy Cheese Lover's Day - let me know what cheesy delights you are enjoying!

#cheese #cheeselover #cheeseandwine #cheeseloversday #parmigianoreggiano #parmigianoreggianodop #lovecheese #favourite #photography #foodphotography #assisi #italy #parmesan #parmesanoreggiano #parmesancheese #cheesewheel #samanthanmattocks #cheesycheesy #bluecheese #cheddar #justlovecheese
  • I don't understand Blue Monday - it is as though people are wanting us to feel down and miserable! There is enough of that in the world without making a special day for it. 

So instead, I am sharing the promise of spring, with the daffodils shooting up in the garden. We know that brighter days are ahead. 

 #bluemonday #bluemonday2023 #bright #positivity #smiles #daffodils #shoots #spring #brighterdays #focus #inspire #happiness #smile #photography #naturephoto #countryliving #samanthamattocks #sharethepositives #keepgoing #focus #january
  • How beautiful are the colours in this sky? Nature's own beautiful canvas. 

 #nature #natureshot #sky #skyline #sunrise #sunrisesky #sunriselover #sunriseoftheday #wintersky #winterskies #photography #phonephoto #samanthamattocks #bignorfolkskies #norfolksuffolk #norfolksuffolklife #mylife #whatisee #beautiful #photo #photogram #photographer #photooftheday
  • Going for a quick lunch today - using up some @stpierreeurope brioche buns with some @birdseyeuk cod fishfingers, done in the @ninjakitchenuk dual, which makes a fishfinger sandwich a very quick option for anytime of the day. Naturally, I had some cheese with this - I first remember having cheese and fishfinger sandwiches FAR too many years ago when I was at uni - and some lettuce, salad cream, and ketchup. Yummy! 

 #fishfingers #fishfingerbutty #fishfingersandwich #fishfingerburger #cheese #cheeselover #cheesefishfingers #ninja #ninjadual #quick #lunch #fakeaway #naturallightphotography #foodie #photography #nomnom #nomnomnom #tasty #wednesday #humpday #samanthamattocks
  • Thank you all for such lovely comments on and offline yesterday. I felt it only right to share this utterly adorable photo of @mistermishkins when he arrived with me in June 2021. You can see why he inspired me to pick up my pen and write a magical children's book!

#mistermishkins #inspiration #magicalmistermishkins #kitten #gingerkitten #catphotooftheday #samanthamattocks #authorslife #writer #newbook #2023 #comingsoon #childrensbook #kittenphoto #bigpaws #gingercat
  • Happy New Year! I hope that this first week has been kind to you. We are still recovering from this winter virus that is doing the rounds, and I'm now on my second dose of antibiotics, as my sinuses are causing me a few problems.

As it's the start of a new year, I thought was a good time to share a little about me, the person behind the posts.

I live in beautiful south Norfolk, and my passions are writing, cooking, reading, and travel. My passions have taken me around the world, primarily as owner of @thearabianmagazine which I founded in 2004; hard to believe that it will be 20 years old next year, quite extraordinary! 

As well as my love for Arabian horses, I always had a love of food and in 2016, I founded @thedelicatediner to celebrate local food and drink. During lockdown, I published an in-depth series of interviews with chefs and producers, and my wings are spreading outside of the region. My foodie passion led me to apply to be on @masterchefuk and I appeared in the 2019 series. I now do pop ups across East Anglia , as well as cooking demos at @geraldgiles.co.uk 

In lockdown, I released my debut novel, Sandstorm. It had brilliant reviews, and I am working on the sequel, Firestorm. Along the way, I became distracted by the arrival in my life of my ginger cat,@mistermishkins He inspired me to write a series of children's books and the first one will be out this year! Oh, and almost 15 years ago, I self-published a sell-out poetry collection, which I am looking to have reprinted. 

2021 saw me start @eatnourishdrink with my friend, @hannekelambert This food, drink and lifestyle magazine for East Anglia has been incredibly well received. 

I have always loved photography, and I am honoured when chefs, producers, and restauranteurs want to use my images. 

I very much believe in following your dreams, and I hope that reading this has inspired you to do the same. 

Thank you for all your incredible support. Have a sunny Sunday and please give the pages tagged above a follow. If you'd like to know more about what I do, then please drop me a line. Have a wonderful 2023, and thank you. Samantha xx

#samanthamattocks #author #journalist #photographer #hello
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