Pen to Paycheck Authors

Samantha and Matilda are working on their craft, sharing their tactics for improvement and the resources they use.
Next week, Matilda and Sam are doing a craft critique of their own and other writing.
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)
Most recent book: Star Crossed Curses - https://books2read.com/Star-crossed-curses (Deighton Academy Book 2)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
The Descent: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435625/Jennifer Lynn Barnes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Lynn_Barnes
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are reaching out to authors and readers in new genres…yes, it feels uncomfortable, but they’re doing it anyway!
Next week, Matilda and Sam start a mini-series on craft, sharing what they’ve been focused on and their favourite resources.
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)
Most recent book: Star Crossed Curses - https://books2read.com/Star-crossed-curses (Deighton Academy Book 2)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Terry Pratchett: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_PratchettMatt Dinniman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_DinnimanHearthcon: https://www.lazydragonbooks.com/hearthcon-2026Crystal Johnson’s Marketing Q&A: https://www.patreon.com/crystaljohnston/posts/august-be-sure-q-165662796Nathan C Ashford’s threads account: https://www.threads.com/@nathancashford
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are getting better at asking for help, and they’re making plans to improve even more.
Next week, Matilda and Sam are finding ways to build contacts in new genres.
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)
Most recent book: Star Crossed Curses - https://books2read.com/Star-crossed-curses (Deighton Academy Book 2)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are ending series and discussing how to do it well.
Next week, Matilda and Sam are working on asking for help. They’re not good at it, but they’re making plans to get better.
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)
Most recent book: Star Crossed Curses - https://books2read.com/Star-crossed-curses (Deighton Academy Book 2)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Working on a Song by Anaïs Mitchell: https://www.amazon.com/dp/059318257X/The Truth About Lisa Jewell by Will Brooker: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09L48PW5D/Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BKGYQXW/Willow Winters: https://www.instagram.com/willowwintersshouldbewriting/?hl=en
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are preparing to launch their next series, and they’re thinking big!
Next week, Matilda and Sam are planning the ends of their current series and how to do this successfully.
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)
Most recent book: Star Crossed Curses - https://books2read.com/Star-crossed-curses (Deighton Academy Book 2)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Ride or Die: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30494226/The Odyssey: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33764258/Good Girls: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6474378/The Housemaid by Freida McFadden: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TWSRMCB/Breanne Randall: https://www.breannerandall.com/Florence Given: https://www.youtube.com/@theflorencegivenshowSplash: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088161/
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda have just finished challenge week, and they’re figuring out how not to quit the things they ought to be doing.
Next week, Matilda and Sam are planning new series launches and considering all the things they can do for them.
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: www.samantha-cummings.com
Book to start with: Curse of the Wild - https://books2read.com/curseofthewild   (Moons & Magic Book 1)
Most recent book: Star Crossed Curses - https://books2read.com/Star-crossed-curses (Deighton Academy Book 2)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Edits app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.basel&hl=en_GBJosh Malerman: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_MalermanAdam Beswick: https://apbeswickpublications.com/
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are looking back over the months in which everything has changed!
Next week, join Matilda and Sam for challenge week. What are you challenging yourself to?
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: 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)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Alex Aster’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexaster/?hl=enGabourey Sidibe: https://www.threads.com/@gabbysidibeProject Hail Mary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12042730/
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are talking through allll the options for reaching readers, searching for the ones that suit their skills.
Next week, Matilda and Sam are reviewing Q2!
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: 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)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Jen dePaula: https://www.instagram.com/jenndepaulabookmarketing/?hl=enThe Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1944751343/Steve Aitchison’s episode of Pen and Prosper: https://penandprosper.substack.com/p/episode-70-selling-more-books-with
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are back from SPS Live 2026, and they’re sharing all the details of how it helped.
Next week, Matilda and Sam are talking about alternatives to ads - how else can they get their books out there?
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAMIG: @sammowrimo
Website: 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)
MATILDAIG: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
5 Steps to Author Success by Rachel McLean (turns out it doesn’t have ‘Bestseller’ in the title, but Matilda was close): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MG97Q15/
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets

Samantha and Matilda are walking you through their most recent Mastermind Day, sharing all the inside details on what they discuss, so you can set up your own sessions with writing peers.
Next week, Matilda and Sam are sharing what they learned at SPS Live 2026.
Support the podcast by buying us a coffee (and a slice of cake if you’re feeling generous): https://ko-fi.com/pentopaycheckauthorspodcast/
Join us for more mastery through missteps…en masse. Yes, we’ve got a DISCORD, and you’re invited: https://discord.gg/w7BjxmeXfF
Where to find Sam and Matilda:
SAM IG: @sammowrimo
Website: 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: @matildaswiftauthor
Website: MatildaSwift.com
Book to start with: https://books2read.com/TheSlayoftheLand (book #1 of The Heathervale Mysteries)
Most recent book: https://books2read.com/TheTamingOfTheStew (book #7 of The Parchment Paper Mysteries)
Mentioned on the show:
Obsidian: https://obsidian.md/
Other podcasts you can hear us on:
Self Publishing Insiders (with Draft to Digital)
Episode 274: Mastery Through Missteps: Demystifying the Quit the Day Job Dream
Ink in Your Veins (with Rachael Herron)
Episode 552: On Being Precious About Nothing
Wish I’d Known Then for Writers (with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright)
Episode 254: From Mastermind to Discord: The Power of Community with Samantha Cummings
Episode 249: Matilda Swift on Overcoming Self-Doubt and Innovative Reader Magnets