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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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What else to pour tonight but a Sancerre in honour What else to pour tonight but a Sancerre in honour of the incredible Jilly Cooper.

I was introduced to Jilly's work in my first year of university and Sancerre in my second year. For me, the two go hand in hand, and even though I am in Belgium tonight, I just had to find a bottle to have so I could raise a glass in her honour. 

Jilly, your work made me laugh, cry, and want to be a better writer. Sandstorm, now under the name @adelaide_halsey__author is in your vein. 

This is such a huge loss, and I hope you dance in the stars with all you have loved before.

Sleep well, Monica will miss you.
We have made it to the last quarter of the first q We have made it to the last quarter of the first quarter of this century. It's rather crazy when you think about it like that, as I swear the 1990s were just a few years ago. 

With acceptance that the 1990s were over 30 years ago, I will instead look to October. I love this month - not least as all the trees begin to change colour. I can have my Himalayan salt lamp on in my office, creating a warming glow. The Sunday roast returns in all its glory and the slow cooker/soup maker come into their own. 

This month, I have two trips abroad, both for business. The first is to Belgium, the second to Spain. And then I hope to fit in my traditional writing retreat, even if it will be at home this year.

What plans do you have? How will you celebrate the full arrival of autumn? Make it a good one, whatever you do.

Samantha xx
The Magic of Mister Mishkins is now out in the wor The Magic of Mister Mishkins is now out in the world - and now we need your help in order to spread the word!

Doing any of the the things on this post will cost you nothing, but will help me hugely as an author. If you can do just one of these things, that would be amazing. 

Thank you so much in advance. 

Samantha xx
When the person taking care of your cats sends you When the person taking care of your cats sends you the best photo EVER! Suffice to say, I think @magicalmistermishkins is having a great time! 

🐾🐈😹
I am excited to share that I will be out and about I am excited to share that I will be out and about this winter showcasing my writing and offering an opportunity for you to purchase The Magical Mister Mishkins series for yourselves!

25 October - Milton Keynes Indie Book Fair, Middleton Hall

15 November - The Pharmacy, Burnham Market, Christmas Light Switch On

7 December - Bungay Christmas Market, at Giddens & Thompson, Earsham Street

I really look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at these events!

Samantha
Aachen vibes. Aachen vibes.
If you know, you know... #aachen #Germany #allnat If you know, you know...

#aachen #Germany #allnationscup #thearabianmagazine #samanthamattocks #magicalmistermishkinsseries #channel tunnel #verdi
I have had several new followers lately and it has I have had several new followers lately and it has been over two years since I last introduced myself, so I thought it was high time to do so again.

Firstly, thank you for finding and following me. I am Samantha, and I live in beautiful south Norfolk. My passions are writing, cooking, reading, photography, and travel. I am incredibly lucky in that several of my passions have taken me around the world, primarily as owner of @thearabianmagazine which I founded in 2004 and is still going strong. 

As well as my love for Arabian horses, I always had a love of food and in 2016, I founded @thedelicatediner celebrating regional food and drink. My foodie passion led me to apply to be on MasterChef UK and I was selected for the 2019 series. I do cooking demos across East Anglia, and co-authored a cookbook for a client I know through the Arabian horse world. I love how shared interests can lead to other things! For two years, I co-owned nourish - the taste of East Anglia, a food and drink magazine. I took a sabbatical from nourish in 2023 to concentrate on my children's books and the decision was later made to end the magazine on a high. 

My primary focus at the moment are my children's books, which are based upon my wonderful cat, @magicalmistermishkins Mister Mishkins' Apothecary (2023) and The Magic of Mister Mishkins (2025) are both out in the world, with book three in the series already underway for publication next year. Yes, you heard it here first! There is also a spin-off book planned on Nero the Hero. More to follow there in the coming months!

I released my debut novel, Sandstorm, in 2020 - now published under the name @adelaide_halsey__author A Jilly Cooper style book set in the Arabian horse world, this book is great fun! The sequel, Firestorm, is underway and I hope to be able to share soon.

I very much believe in following your dreams and reaching for those stars. Thank you for all your incredible support. If you'd like to know more about what I do, then please drop me a line. Samantha xx
Time out today for a trip to Norwich with one of m Time out today for a trip to Norwich with one of my besties. 

We stopped for lunch @2magpiesbakery and the bubble and squeak caught our eye - loads of zingy salad and seeds to count the richness of the potato.

It was a perfect pitstop and refuel before continuing our bimble around our beautiful city.
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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

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