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Samantha Mattocks

Award-winning author and journalist, photographer, publisher, and foodie. MasterChef 2019

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News

Home / News (Page 4)
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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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100 days of lockdown

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021June 30, 2020 Leave a Comment on 100 days of lockdown

Today marks 100 days of lockdown here in the UK. I have just written my latest column for Norfolk Online and in that I lament the loss of one of life’s greatest pleasures – one that we definitely all took for granted – and that is a cup of coffee with a friend. Whether spontaneous …

A plate of Norfolk food and wine
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The Norfolk Foodie Series

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021June 20, 2020 Leave a Comment on The Norfolk Foodie Series

With lockdown resulting in all horse shows around the world being on a pause, and printing of The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine on hold for the time being, I have had the luxury of time to explore other avenues in my life. One of these has been a long-held desire to conduct a series of interviews …

Blue and purple delphiniums
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Beautiful June

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on June 1, 2020June 1, 2020 Leave a Comment on Beautiful June

Pinch punch, first of the month. I hope that everybody is keeping safe and well. As we all know, we are living in challenging times, and I find it easier to concentrate on what I have, rather than have not, right now. We are all seeing so much change and uncertainty, and for me, I …

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A collection of years

by Samantha Mattocksupdated on October 6, 2021May 2, 2020 Leave a Comment on A collection of years

For The Arabian Magazine Collectors’ Edition, I used to do a feature called The Editor’s Year, which was a summary of my year – the horses I had seen, the places I had been, and some of the many magical moments along the way. These used to be on my old website, but rather than …

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And work begins in earnest on my next children's b And work begins in earnest on my next children's book. I didn't have my traditional October writing retreat, so I have taken myself to the wonderful @huggerslongstratton for sustenance and space.
Craving green, fresh food. This will be turned int Craving green, fresh food. This will be turned into a pasta bake - Brussels tops, mushrooms, aubergine, fennel, pepper, with @freshherbsalt original mix and a touch of pancetta that needed eating. The very best kind of fridge raid supper.
We always start January with hot pot. My mum has b We always start January with hot pot. My mum has been making it for as long as she can remember, boiling down the turkey carcass, removing the last of the meat, and adding turnip, swede, carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Simple dried basil and fresh bay, a good grind of pepper, and dumplings added for high days and holidays.

This is bone broth in its most basic form, and it is warming, hearty and delicious. The @wholefoodwarrior would approve, I am sure! 

Now to go and warm the pot once more for day three. The last of the turkey is already in, a beauty from Mobbs & Sons, with veggies from @giddensthompson So local, so tasty.

I think we may just have enough for lunch tomorrow - and then I need to find something from the freezer to cook! January is all about low maintenance and nourishment. Perfect.
My Word of the Year for 2026 came to me quite quic My Word of the Year for 2026 came to me quite quickly last year. I was in a session with the brilliant mavens at the Southwood Social Hub, and I wrote the word FREE. As I did so, I knew that had to be my word of the year for 2026.

I feel as though I am where I finally dreamed of being six years ago, and I have finally evolved both businesses to where I need them to be as I step into 2026. With that comes a sense of freedom, and 'free' and 'freedom' are words that I keep on seeing and hearing, over and over. Always a sign that one is on the right path.

What is your word of the year? Do you believe in a word to help set your course through the coming twelve months, or do you think it's just another gimmick? Either way, I'd love to know your thoughts. 

Samantha xx
PS - Song of the Year still to be determined...
The snow held off enough for the stunning supermoo The snow held off enough for the stunning supermoon tonight. Just incredible - the wolf moon, the ice moon... It is so close, you feel as though you can reach out and touch it. 

Make your wishes, tonight's the night! 

Samantha xx
What beauty outside today while taking part in @be What beauty outside today while taking part in @bethkempton winter writing sanctuary! The sun is now shining down upon our winter wonderland, making the snow sparkle and shimmer. 

Mother Nature at her most beautiful.
It is that time of year when everyone talks about It is that time of year when everyone talks about resolutions. Have you made any? I haven't. 

I have two reasons for this. Firstly, I think that you can make a resolution on any day of the year and start afresh. You don't need to wait for 1 January for that. Secondly, I think New Year's Resolutions set you up to fail; this is a time for wintering, for doing what is needed to get through the days until spring begins. 

That said, I do set goals for the year and this year, I am sharing my writing goals. Many of these I talk about in my monthly newsletter - you can sign up through the link below - but there are some I haven't yet talked about. @mslexia whom I am a member of, release a wonderful writer's diary every year. I spent New Years exploring the inspiration behind it and how best to use it, not just as a diary, but a portable writer's toolkit. I have a feeling this book will not leave my side this year!

I hope you like the way I casually drop in three books into my 2026 goals. I will be revealing more of my plans in the aforementioned newsletter later this month, but for now, I am holding these visions close and working on bringing them to completion. Exciting times, for sure!

What about you? If you haven't set any resolutions, would you consider setting goals? Please feel free to share them below.

Samantha xx

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What an absolutely incredible sunset tonight - the What an absolutely incredible sunset tonight - the first of 2026. I don't know about you, but it always feels auspicious to me if we have rainbows and glorious sunsets such as these on special days. I have spent much of the day with my mind on the year ahead, dreaming big and working out how to make those dreams come true. And then I see a sunset such as this... Someone is definitely listening 🧡

Photos straight off my phone - absolutely no filter needed for these incredible skies!

@bethkempton - I did think of you as I took this; having done today's exercise, I feel this is a very clear sign 🧡

#photography #sunset #2026 #samsungphotography #instasunset #firstsunset #manifesting #dreams #redskies #samanthamattocks #myyear #writingcommunity
It is time... 365 days stretch before us. What dre It is time... 365 days stretch before us. What dreams to be realised this year? What new aspirations to bring to life? What new friends to make, love to share, and connections to develop? 

Start gently. Go slowly. Breathe. And know that the snowdrops, announcing the arrival of spring, are just around the corner.

I wish you a wonderful month, here's to twelve more months together.

Samantha xx
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