Pen to Paycheck Authors

How We’ve Grown in Q1

Settle in, it's the Q1 review - how have Sam and Matilda done so far in 2026? 
Next week, they'll be planning how to get bigger and better!!
Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
Ines Johnson’s substack: https://ineswrites.substack.com/
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZZCSYXJ/
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TWSRMCB/
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BKGYQXW/
Florence Given - The Good Girl Wound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=32uLLwtiiVueXQao&v=x6yc9imZcaQ&feature=youtu.be

How Ireland’s Indie Conference Changed Us

This week, Matilda takes the reins as she TELLS ALL on her time at the Ireland Indie Conference. 
Next week, it's the Q1 review! 
Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
Indie Network Ireland conference: https://www.indienetworkevents.com/events/indie-network-in-ireland-2027

How We Face Challenges

Matilda and Sam tackle CHALLENGE WEEK!
Next week, they'll be chatting about the Ireland Publishing Show.
Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
The Fairy Plotmother: https://www.fairyplotmother.me/
Ink in Your Veins (WE’RE IN THIS ONE!): http://www.howdoyouwrite.net/episodes/552
Dear Writer, You Still Need to Quit by Becca Syme: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/beccasyme/dear-writer-you-still-need-to-quit
Scribeshadow: https://app.scribeshadow.com/
Mailerlite: https://www.mailerlite.com/
Mailchimp: mailchimp.com/
Squarespace: www.squarespace.com
Gemini: https://gemini.google.com/

How We Plan Long Term

Matilda and Sam are discussing BIG future plans today!
Next week is everyone's fave - CHALLENGE WEEK! Don't forget to pick your own challenge to tackle, and join us in our misery... 
Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
Pascify reader event: https://pascify.com/
David Gaughran’s Facebook Ads for Authors [2026] Ad Creation Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYacxyQJPxM

How New Ad Strategies Are Working for Us

Sam and Matilda have been running ads... but both VERY differently! 
Next week it's all about BIG future plans - what do they have up their sleeves? You'll have to tune in to find out!
Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
Author Ads & Marketing Mastery with Melissa Storm Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorads
Novel Publicity’s Facebook ads management: https://www.novelpublicity.com/facebook/
David Gaughran’s Facebook Ads for Authors [2026] Ad Creation Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYacxyQJPxM

How Working Together is the Secret to Success

Sam and Matilda ran their first ever online 'retreat', wanna know how it went?
Tune in next week to hear all about their recent experience with running Facebook ads.Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
Tim Ferriss’s Fear Setting: https://tim.blog/2017/05/15/fear-setting/
Millionaire Author Mastermind group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/
VE Schwab’s podcast episode with Kennedy Ryan: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dhzfyDSCWKwrqfcmdtqzy

How to Relaunch a Series

Sam and Matilda break down series relaunches! 
In next week's episode, your two fave podcast hosts are going to share how their online writing retreat went!Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
Bookbub’s New Release for Less: https://www.bookbub.com/partners/new_releases_for_less
Novel Publicity’s Facebook ads management: https://www.novelpublicity.com/facebook/

How to Plan for the Long and Short Term

Sam and Matilda discuss how they are planning for short and long-term success. 
In next week's episode, they are digging into relaunching book series. Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
How to Create a Social Media Signature Series & Style by Kayleigh: https://youtu.be/AiL3v2x4aLQ?si=SXNm4D_3a91Q5Yzs
Florence Given: https://www.youtube.com/@theflorencegivenshow
Why You Should Disappoint Your Fans by Becca Syme: https://youtu.be/mtc5qSXBByU?si=hGuy-DqJIOrrAGLu

How to Build Reader Connections

Sam and Matilda are making MORE connections... with readers! 
In next week's episode, they will be discussing short-term vs long-term business goals.Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
Kevin Kelly’s 1000 True Fans: https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/
Superfans by Pat Flynn: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Superfans-Capture-Attention-Community-Following-ebook/dp/B09LRRQ1XF/
Vlogbrothers (John and Hank Green): https://www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers

How To Build Author Connections

Sam and Matilda are making author connections! 
In next week's episode, it's all about making MORE connections... with readers!Where to find Sam and Matilda:SAM IG: @sammowrimoWebsite: www.samantha-cummings.com Book to start with:Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)Most recent book:The Moon Is a Door - https://books2read.com/The-Moon-Is-A-Door  (Deighton Academy Book 1) MATILDA IG: @matildaswiftauthorWebsite: www.MatildaSwift.com Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand  (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)Most recent book: https://books2read.com/MuchAdoAboutStuffing  (book #6 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)  
Mentioned on the show:
JOIN THE PEN TO PAYCHECK DISCORD: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF 
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast 
SPS Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
The Cozy Mystery Clubhouse Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cozymysteryclubhouse/
Seville’s Global Publishing Summit: https://www.lantia.com/en/gps
Ireland’s Publishing Show: https://www.indienetworkevents.com/general-8