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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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Samantha's Instagram

Yesterday was a milestone reached as I turned 50. Yesterday was a milestone reached as I turned 50. I am now officially middle aged and I spent the evening surrounded by some of my nearest and dearest family and friends. 

I am feeling so blessed - and excited for what comes next as I start the next chapter of my life.

Thank you to all who have made these last few days so incredibly special 🧔
Ah, February, you have returned once more. Never m Ah, February, you have returned once more. Never my favourite month - the come down after my birthday, New Year, and Christmas - but there is a lot to be excited about this year.

I am a huge fan of the Olympics and the Winter Olympics starts in Milano Cortina on 6 February. And the Six Nations returns on 5 February, making it a great first weekend of the month!

Then, on 14 February, I escape back to Sweden once more - to cat sit, to write, and to be back in a place that is still, calm, and quiet.

The month ends with a joint birthday celebration for me and my uncle and by then, the spring flowers will truly be peeking their petalled heads from below the ground, bringing joy and colour to our lives once more. 

Whatever you are up to this month, make it a good one. 

Samantha xx
I loved this seagull looking so majestic at the Ha I loved this seagull looking so majestic at the Harbour Inn in Southwold today. It was also lovely to see the sun! 

I also popped into @southwoldbooks
and treated myself to two books by @lmwestwriter - good reading for my trip to Sweden next month.

It has been a great week of friends so far with @michellemouldartist & @paulasmith.2025 - tomorrow is time for me @thelawnesbeauty and then the big birthday build up begins in earnest on Friday with lunch with old school friends in Norwich.

I think I can declare that my birthday season has officially begun! 

Samantha xx
As I approach my half century milestone, I reflect As I approach my half century milestone, I reflect on whether my first word has shaped my life as a writer. 

https://samanthamattockswrites.substack.com/p/it-all-began-with-shoe
I've gone away for a couple of days, and Mister Mi I've gone away for a couple of days, and Mister Mishkins wasn't too sure about me putting my bags into the car. 

He sat next to his fish to make sure I knew he'd be waiting for me to come home. That look though...

#catsofinstagram #gingercatsrule #mondaymood #vibes #guilttrip
What do you mean, the weekend is nearly over? #c What do you mean, the weekend is nearly over? 

#catlife🐾 #weekend #writer #catvibes #mondaymood
Does anyone else's cat bring them a flappy fish? A Does anyone else's cat bring them a flappy fish? And be so vocal about it? The expressions on @magicalmistermishkins face are quite amazing! 

I think I need to write a fish into the next book in the Magical Mister Mishkins Series! 

#gingercatsrule #kidlit #mistermishkins #catbehaviour #vocalcat
I had the most beautiful delivery in the post toda I had the most beautiful delivery in the post today! 

I subscribe to @generosityofspirit Substack, and last Sunday, she mentioned that she has bracelets made each year with her word of the year on. Intrigued, I hit the link and arrived at @thatwildfeeling I already knew my word for 2026 - free - but where you can choose the colour of the stones to go with the bracelet, I left a message instead for Rachel, the owner. I explained about my life as a writer, my sun and moon signs, and that I will be 50 at the end of the month - and I left it up to her. 

One quick e-mail conversation where Rachel wanted to clarify I was happy with her choices, and this stunning bracelet arrived today with citrine, yellow agate, sodalite, and blue agate. With it, Rachel included a special note explaining her choices. They are just perfect. 

I love this idea of wearing my word for the year, a reminder of my dreams when the going becomes a little trickier than we would like. And I shall no doubt order one for every year going forward, a visual nudge to look back at the path we dare to dance upon.
Oh, I love this time of year and looking forward t Oh, I love this time of year and looking forward to the year ahead. And I do have some exciting news to share with you all - something new is coming! 

If you want to be first to hear about what's new, please sign up to my newsletter to receive my monthly update. 

Any ideas on what the something new may be? All will be revealed soon!

Samantha xx

https://samanthamattocks.com/subscribe-to-samanthas-newsletter
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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

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