Welcome to pen to Paycheck Authors podcast. We’re two indie authors; Matilda Swift, author of quintessentially British Cozy Mysteries, and Sam Cummings, author of Young Adult books about magic, myths, and monsters. With over a dozen books between us, and still a long way to go towards the ‘quit the day job’ dream, we’re here to write our way to financial success. Listen along for our mastery through missteps journey
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Samantha and Matilda invite their very first guest, Jen Booker, onto the pod to talk about her cozy cowriting journey. Next week Sam and Matilda will share where they find other authors to talk to! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda realise they have very different ways of finding and hiring professionals to help in publishing. Next week Sam and Matilda will be chatting with their VERY FIRST podcast guest, cozy writer Jen Booker. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda spill the tea on their Mastermind meetings - how they started, what they talk about, and more importantly, how to start your own! Next week Sam and Matilda will break down the other people in their publishing business - from editors to cover creators. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo We…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda open up about things that they've tried that didn't quite work, or at least not in the way they expected... Next week Sam and Matilda will open up about what goes on behind the scenes in their Mastermind meetings. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book …
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda are taking the positives from their day jobs - discussing what skills they've picked up from the 9-5, and how they utilise them. Next week Sam and Matilda will be talking about some of the things they've tried and failed at on their self-publishing journey. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowr…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda review Q2!! Next week Sam and Matilda will reveal the day-job skills that help self publishing. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B0915V5L6F Most recent book: Curse o…
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In this week’s episode Matilda and Samantha play a little game of 'shoulda, woulda, coulda'. What would they change, or not change, about their publishing journeys so far? Next week Sam and Matilda will break down their Q2 progress. Did they cross everything off their lists? Tune in to find out! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo We…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda chat about the setbacks they have experienced, and still do... and the best ways to overcome them. Next week Sam and Matilda will be talking about shoulda, woulda, coulda... if they could go back in time, what would they change about their publishing journeys? Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @samm…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda open up about their current financial states, and their relationship with money and business. Next week Sam and Matilda will break down how they bounce back from set backs. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https://ww…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about the differences between their writing life dreams... versus REALITY! By next week Sam and Matilda will have started to review their finances so they can start to make moves towards instructed business decisions. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda FINALLY talk about their writing process... and see how different they really are! Next week Sam and Matilda will be back on track with the next theme Writing Dreams vs Reality. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda try to figure out the best way to keep the wheels in motion with their marketing plans! Next week Sam and Matilda will take a quick break from the schedule to talk about writing processes! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathl…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda dig into post sales marketing, and turning 'customers' into valued fans! Next week Sam and Matilda will cover continuous marketing strategies. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Franc…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda discuss author comps and how looking at how other authors are succeeding can help with their own blueprint for success! Next week Sam and Matilda will deep dive into post-sales marketing. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathle…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda explain the meaning of the term 'soda can strategies', and how they implement them. Next week Sam and Matilda will delve into their comp authors again, this time looking at how they market their books. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start wit…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda discuss blurbs, the difficulties, mistakes, and tips to make them as buttery as possible! Next week Sam and Matilda will come together to talk about soda can strategies, a term they invented to talk about book selling! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com …
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda are talking about writing quotes and marketable lines before writing the book... Next week Sam and Matilda are going to be talking about everyone's favourite part of writing a book... writing THE BLURB! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start wi…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda discuss the gloriously delicious writing tool that is lovingly called BUTTER, but also known as Universal Fantasy. Next week Sam and Matilda will chat about their writing process and how they feel about writing IN the marketable moments that make books better! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @samm…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about everyone's favourite marketing tactic - X meets Y! Next week Sam and Matilda will discuss what Butter is and how, when, and how much should be added to the story mix. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda review the first quarter of the year - what they planned to do, what they managed to do, and what is getting kicked into the next few months. Next week Sam and Matilda will start a new topic: Writing as marketing. The first discussion point will be X meets Y marketing! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM …
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda discuss rebranding and relaunching. Are they the same thing, or are they different beasts entirely? By next week, Sam and Matilda will have reviewed the first quarter of the year and come together to talk about their wins, their failures, and what they have planned for the next quarter. Where to find Sam…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda get personal about pen names and personas. Who is using a pen name? Who wishes they weren't? And what does it mean to use an online persona?! By next week, Sam and Matilda will have given some thought to their plans on any rebranding and relaunching they have on the calendar for this year. Where to find …
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda look at how consistency can make or break your branding! By next week, Sam and Matilda will be discussing pen names vs personas. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Deathless-Frances-June/dp/B09…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda take a look at the way other authors use branding across their platforms and books. By next week, Sam and Matilda will have looked at the importance of branding consistency. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https://w…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda had set out to complete their branding manifestos/bibles, but things didn't go quite to plan... By next week, Sam and Matilda are going to look at how other authors use branding, and see if that helps them figure out their own branding plans. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: ww…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda try to strike the right balance of standing out, and fitting in when it comes to writing in their specific genres. By next week, Sam and Matilda will be diving into their author brand identities. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda discuss the ever complicated topic of niches. What is a niche, and how does defining it help further your writing career? By next week, Sam and Matilda will have taken a look at their positioning within the author stratosphere so they can discuss standing out & fitting in. Where to find Sam and Matilda: …
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about the platforms that support their writing careers, from creating graphics and book covers, to how they format their books. By next week, Sam and Matilda will talk about their niches. What niches ARE, and how they plan on drilling down to find success! Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sam…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about their money mindset! By next week, Sam and Matilda will have collected information on the platforms they use to self publish, and discuss business plans. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with: The Deathless - https://www.amazon…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda talk about their experience with Facebook ads, what they have already learned from past experience, and what plans they have to gain success in the future. By next week, Sam and Matilda have deep dived into their money mindset, their spending plans, and the dreaded 'budget'. Where to find Sam and Matilda…
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda break down their own marketing attempts in 2023, and discuss what worked and what didn't, covering what marketing ideas they have for the next 12 months. By next week, Sam and Matilda will come back together to break down their understanding of Facebook ads; what their experience is with the system, and …
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In this week’s episode, Samantha and Matilda make their 2024 plans…then remake them to factor in all the different hats self-publishers need to wear. By next week, Sam and Matilda will have completed a marketing audit to as the first step on their plans for 2024. Where to find Sam and Matilda: SAM IG: @sammowrimo Website: www.samantha-cummings.com …
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