Sammi Cox Writer Newsletter May 2023

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Firstly, thank you to everyone who checked out, commented on and offered feedback about my first attempt at writing a newsletter back in April. I was overwhelmed by the support, kind words and suggestions you sent me. I feel blessed to be part of such of wonderful community. ❤

And you may have guessed, I have taken a little time to process everything…

This is what I’ve decided so far:

  • To make the newsletter a monthly thing, but there will be no set date for it.
  • If I have no news to share, I won’t put out a newsletter just for the sake of it.
  • There will be a download link below the newsletter, but readers will be able to view it in the post without downloading it.

I have no doubt that there will be more issues to iron out the further I go on this journey. Nothing is set in stone, and I am also learning as I go. However, it is a process I’m enjoying and I’m having so much fun doing it.

You can find this month’s newsletter below, with the download link beneath it.

Briefly, in other news, I missed last week’s Tolkien Tuesday post, so tomorrow’s will be a double!

Take care.

Love, Sammi x


Don’t want to miss my next newsletter? Why not subscribe to the blog? Check out the menu on the left to follow this blog via email. ❤

The Way To Her Heart

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You can keep your flashy car

And generous bank balance

Your house on mansion row

.

She wants a poet to tell her

He loves her, by speaking to her

Of the moon and stars

.

She wants to hear endless poems

Of heartbeats and soul stirrings

Of sleepless nights full of yearning

.

She wants to be pursued

Not in bars or clubs or restaurants

But through the forest

.

Along paths only the two of them know

Ending up in the ramshackle cottage

They call home

.

It won’t be full of riches

But flowers, love, magic, books

And him

.

Keep your expensive jewellary

Your diamonds and pearls

Gold, silver, platinum rings

.

She wants daisy chains and blossom boughs

Seashells, acorns, fossils

Feathers he’s found

.

She wants ballads sung, and stories told

Of how they will always be together

And never grow old

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There’s more than a little touch of Beltane magic about this one, I think…Belated Beltane Blessings, all ❤

Sammi Cox Writer Newsletter April 2023

So, I decided to give a thing a go…an author newsletter, and I would love to hear what you think!

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I’ve been thinking about starting a newsletter for the past couple of years now. After all, it is a big part of the writer’s marketing toolbox, and in so much of the advice for writers I’ve come across, it says that you should have one, no matter where you are on your writing journey.

However, I’m not one for signing up to newsletters (I think I’m only subscribed to maybe 5 across all my interests!), so how could I expect anyone to sign up to mine?

The compromise I came up with is this: to create a PDF newsletter and host it on this site. The notification stating it’s available will be sent out to those who are already following my blog, and if they have opted not to receive notifications, the post about it will appear in the reader. This way I’m not asking anyone to sign up to anything (and there will be no need to unsubscribe from anything in the future either!) A reader won’t see it unless they want to, and given all the wonders of wordpress and its stats page, should anyone need to know how much interaction my newsletter is getting, or how many views it’s had, I’ll be able to say. Also, I’ll not be collecting anyone’s information. Bonus!

At the moment, this feels like the right option for me. And I guess this is a bit of a practice run, in as much as I don’t know how well received it’s going to be, or whether it will be worth doing (in this format, or any other, for that matter) in the long term. The newsletter content and style on the other hand, is as professional as I could make it, and I’m really pleased with the finished product.

I really enjoyed putting this together. I loved using Canva to create the design, and I had fun putting together the updates, creating a mash-up of prompts for a writing challenge, adding an inspiring quote, as well as including a piece of flash fiction exclusive to the newsletter.

You can find my first attempt at writing a newsletter, here:

Don’t forget to let me know what you think. And, if you don’t think this works, please let me know. I want to hear the good, the bad and the ugly…only if it’s constructive, of course! 🙂 Do you write / send out newsletters? If so, what format do they take, and how successful have you found them to be?

Thanks so much for your time and help.

Take care.

Love, Sammi x

An Andromache Jones Mysteries Update

At the start of the month (in this post), I said that while I was on my blogging break over Christmas and New Year, I had been working on my witchy sleuth cosy mystery series, the Andromache Jones Mysteries. I also said that this year I was planning on reposting The Magician, the first short story in the series, here on the blog. The reason: it’s been 10 years (last October) that I released The Magician out into the world as a free ebook. It seemed a milestone worth celebrating.

In order to do this, I’ve had a long list of things to do, some of which are still in progress:

  • New covers needed to be designed (Done ✔)
  • I wanted to re-edit the story, just to make sure it aligned with some of the newer Andromache stories I’ve been writing (Currently in Progress 🖋)
  • This website needed updating because some of the content in the AJM link on the menu looked dated (Done ✔)
  • Wattpad needed updating so that it had the current edition of the story (Currently in Progress 🖋)
  • The new covers needed to be added to Goodreads (Not done ❌)

The only thing I have consciously decided not to do at this time is to update the ebook (available at Smashwords and other online sites but not Amazon). The reason is two-fold. First, the majority, though by no means all, of the recents reads have come from Wattpad. Secondly: because I’ve been pondering taking the ebook down, so when time is at a premium (why are there not more hours in the day?!), it feels like I would be wasting it . Of course, I may change my mind…We shall see…

New covers for The Magician and The Apparition

I had so much fun re-designing the book covers. I love the original ones but I felt they suggested the stories were more thriller-mystery rather than cosy mystery. They also look a lot more professional, but then I’ve got 10 years more experience at designing book covers.

What do you think?

About the Andromache Jones Mysteries

Andromache Jones is a tarot-reading witch from the sleepy village of Bramblesgrove, where she runs River Gardens Mystical Services. From here, she gives tarot readings, casts runes, gazes lovingly at the moon and stars, plays with crystals and herbs…and sometimes solves crimes. She likes to think of herself as a part-time private detective who untangles mysteries, but really she is an amateur sleuth who happens to attract trouble – and troublesome clients.

The Magician is the first (short) story in the Andromache Jones Mysteries. Andromache Jones has somehow managed to capture the attention of The Magician and finds herself caught up in The Game, his challenge that has very real life and death consequences, and not only for her. Can she complete the test he has set in the allotted time and live to see another day, or will failure, and The Magician triumph?

You can read more about the Andromache Jones Mysteries, and my plans for the series, over on this newly updated page.

When can you expect the first chapter of The Magician to be posted on this site? Tomorrow…If you do have a read of it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Brightest Blessings,

Sammi x

And I’m back…I think… (an update)

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So, you might have noticed I haven’t been present on the blog since the end of November. If you haven’t, well thank goodness for scheduled posts! 🙂

Here’s a quick catch up of what’s been going on at Sammi Scribbles HQ:

First, I did not complete NaNoWriMo last year, but I came very close with a total of 48,281. I had one day set aside to write those final words, the last day of the month, but on that very same day my grandmother was admitted into hospital, and I spent it with her in A & E. All the staff at the hospital were wonderful and I have nothing but love and admiration for all NHS workers 💖. Thankfully, my grandmother was released a week later and is now doing great, but the run-up to Christmas was certainly hard.

Then, over Christmas itself, I picked up one of these horrible colds that have been doing the rounds, so I couldn’t do very much for a couple of weeks, and Christmas was a very low-key, quiet affair, which was necessary but I didn’t like it much. 😦 I was greatly cheered though by the many Christmas greetings I received here on the blog, so thank you to everyone who sent one. I appreciated them all.

At the start of the new year, I found it difficult to get back into blogging, with one thing and another. I managed to get a few posts up on a couple of my other blogs, whilst scheduling WWP posts here, but at the minute I still lack consistency, but I’m working hard to overcome it.

I have, however, been writing. Currently I’m working on the sequel to my medieval romance novel, which is coming along a treat. Also I’ve been working on my Andromache Jones series, and I’m planning on reposting The Magician (the first in the Andromache Jones mystery short stories) here on the blog soon. The ONC (open novella contest) over on Wattpad released its prompts for this year’s event a couple of days ago, and I’m wondering if I’ve time to join in with that too, because the ONC is probably my favourite writing contest of the year…

Another thing I’ve been working on is designing a couple of free writing resources, one is on how to use writing and photo prompts to write a novel, so if anyone is interested in this, let me know.

Apologies to those waiting for a Tolkien Tuesday post to start the read along for The Two Towers (thank you Dale for the nudge! I needed it 😀 ). I aim (fingers crossed!!!) to have that out this coming Tuesday, 7th February. For those new around here and want to join in, please do! It is a low commitment read-along, where we read half a chapter a week, and discuss what we have read. All are welcome!

Finally, speaking of scheduling posts, I have just scheduled the 300th Weekend Writing Prompt for the end of the month! Don’t worry, I’ve scheduled the prompts for the Saturdays in between too!

Well, I think that covers everything and you are now update. I hope you have had a great start to 2023 (a belated Happy New Year to you!) and that things are well in your world.

Spirits of Vengeance

I sit quietly and think of revenge.

The revenge I took against you for betraying me.

The revenge you then took against me.

There is more to come. I can feel it. My mind is already musing over the possibilities.

This is a dark cycle we are in. We are forces of destruction, you and I. Powerful creatures, bent on reducing our world to ruins.

Human no longer, but spirits of vengeance.


Written for: Weekend Writing Prompt #287 – Revenge | Word count: 72

NaNoWriMo 2022 Update – 20 Days In

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Here’s the second of my accountability updates for this year’s NaNoWriMo…

And things between days 10 and 20 did not go so well.

Day 11 I only added 1000 words to my total, but this wasn’t really an issue at the time as I was still on course to hit the month’s goal, which influenced my next decision. Days 12 and 13 were a Saturday and Sunday, and I’ve been trying to limit my screen time over the weekend in recent months. So, I made the conscious choice not to switch on my computer, and to be fair, I do write more in the week than at the weekends anyway. I thought I would easily make up the deficit. However, I then hit a snag. Technology failed me for 3 days, so no words added then either. That means 5 days straight and not a single word written. Sigh.

I had managed to close the gap by the end of Day 20, between where I was and where I would like to be, but I was still around 4000 words short of that target.

Unlike my first update, my contemporary romance novel is no longer the sole focus of my attention. Hitting that bump in the road knocked my concentration a bit, and so some of my other ongoing writing projects got a bit of time and effort spent on them. I do hope to return to the novel before November’s out though…

Hopefully days 20 to 30 will be kind to me…we shall have to see.

Are you joining in with NaNoWriMo this year? If you are, how are you finding it?

NaNoWriMo 2022 Update – 10 Days In

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Here’s the first of my accountability updates for this year’s NaNoWriMo…

And things are going surprisingly well after 10 days. I’m where I need to be if I’m to hit 50,000 words by the end of month. Interestingly though, my focus has shifted slightly compared to what I thought I would be working on this month.

My contemporary romance novel is still the centre of my attention, and I think it will be for the whole month, rather than turning towards some of my other ongoing writing projects. (We will have to wait and see).

I’ve found that not only am I am enjoying writing this story (no surprise there! – why would I be writing it if I didn’t like it?) but I am also enjoying editing it as I go along (something I don’t often do), whilst simultaneously planning some of the later unscripted chapters. This is not my usual writing process, but I am having so much fun flitting between the different aspects of crafting this novel.

Fingers crossed, the next 10 days will be as fruitful and enjoyable as these have been. I’m guessing that will all depend on whether I stay on target to reach my goal.

Are you joining in with NaNoWriMo this year? If you are, how are you finding it?

NaNoWriMo 2022

Last year, I promised myself that I would give myself permission to start a new novel for the challenge this year. However, rather surprisingly, I’ve taken the decision not to, even though I have completed a number of unfinished projects this year.

It wasn’t until the morning of the 1st of November that I made this call. Perhaps it was because I have started and finished a few stories in recent months, a novel (The City of Fallen Dreams), a serialised short story (Cemetery Blues) as well editing another novel (my Historical Romance Novel). Then there has been the stuff I’ve been posting over on Wattpad too. (In addition to The City of Fallen Dreams, there has been another seasonal short story, and the second volume of Chronicles of the Craft.)

So, if I’m not starting a new novel, what will I be doing?

I am once again opting for the NaNo Rebel path…I have put together a short list of WIPs to work on this month and hope to have at least one of them finished and maybe even edited by the end of the month. We shall see. But one thing is for certain, at the moment, I am enjoying finishing things…and I have an absolutely huge selection of WIPs to work through.

The first project on the list is One Christmas, a light-hearted contemporary romance, which I first started sharing on Wattpad a couple of years ago. It has since been taken down so that when finished it has a better chance of publication.

Then there are my Damon the Demon stories that I am extending into novellas. And the Historical Romance Novel mentioned above, is the first in a trilogy, so it would be good to get some words added to that. And should I need anything else to work on, I have an Andromache Jones Mystery that is calling to me again. So, there is no shortage of projects!

Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? If yes, what are you working on?

I can be found over on the NaNoWriMo site by searching for my profile name: Sammi Cox. Hope to see you over there 🙂

Good luck to all those participating!

Laying The Dead To Rest…Again

Here’s the final part of my new Damon the Demon story, Cemetery Blues…Read from the beginning here.


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By the time they had returned to the cemetery, the witching hour had fallen. The bones were returned to where they needed to be. For the Jennings and Newcombe families, that meant re-interring them within their respective tombs in their family mausoleums. The identification was done with help from the owners, as everyone knew their own when they saw them. The tombs were then tidied up as best as they could be, and plans made to have the damage fixed and put right so that they would eventually be as good as new again.

Then it was time to go and see Shelly. On the way, they stopped at the tomb of Dr Moran. His services would be required that night, and he was eager to oblige.

When they arrived at the bone house where Shelly had been resting, a small crowd had gathered. A cheer went up. Jabez bowed appreciatively at this recognition. Tabitha curtsied. Damon nodded but refrained from any further acknowledgement. After all, he was only doing his job.

Inside, Littla Ada was holding the gloved hand bones of Shelly.

‘She’s been awfully brave, hasn’t she, Damon,’ the girl said.

With the other hand, Shelly wiped a tear that no-one could see from her eye. ‘I knew you wouldn’t let me down,’ she whispered to Damon, visibly emotional and relieved. ‘And you’ve brought Dr Moran too! How wonderful!’

‘Well, I thought, the sooner we get you fixed up, the sooner you can be back up on them pins.’ He grinned down at the skeleton.

‘How bad is it, doctor?’ Shelly asked.

Dr Moran lifted the Damon’s coat which was still draped over the skeleton, to evaluate her injuries. ‘Nothing we can’t repair. Don’t worry, Shelly, you’ll be up and about again in no time.’ To the others, he said, ‘Can I ask you all to step outside while I perform the surgery.’

They all did as they were bid. A few hours later, the doctor exited the mausoleum to give them the good news that Shelly’s surgery had been successful. However, she was exhausted after all she had been through, and he had taken the decision to keep visitors away while she rested for a day or two.

The crowd dispersed shortly after, leaving Damon, Jabez and Tabitha alone.

‘Well, that was an interesting few days,’ Jabez commented. ‘Hopefully I’ve fulfilled my obligation as your deputy and can now be released from any such commitments in future?’

‘Of course. Thank you.

‘We couldn’t have done it without you,’ Tabitha chipped in.

Jabez’s undead eyes sparkled with interest. He took up Tabitha’s hand and kissed it. ‘My fair lady.’

She grimaced. That was not what she had intended.

‘You better head on home,’ Damon said to the revenant, seeing how unhappy Tabitha looked. ‘And you look exhausted,’ he said to the witch. ‘It’s been a hard twenty four hours for everyone.’

They all went their separate ways, Tabitha muttering to herself as she went, promising to wash her hand before it touched and contaminated anything else. Damon returned to his mausoleum, feeling bone tired.

He made himself a hot chocolate and changed into some loungewear. Wrapping himself in his second favourite poncho (the first was still wet from the soaking the night before), he decided to sit on his porch and look out over the cemetery as he unwound.

‘Hello, Mr Damon,’ a voice suddenly said from out of the darkness at the side of the bone house.

Damon sat up sharply, recognising the voice of Mortuatus.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said in that strangely gentle way of his. ‘It was not my intention to startle you.’

Damon invited Mortuatus up on to the porch. He knew not to invite him inside, just in case he was a vampire.

‘I hear the bonestealers have been dealt with.’

‘Yes, that’s all sorted now.’ Damon sipped his hot chocolate. ‘What can I do for you?’

‘Well…you know…When we spoke earlier, I mentioned to you that I had returned to novel writing.’

‘You did.’

‘Well…’ Mortuatus sounded nervous. ‘I haven’t told anyone else yet. Just you…It’s been so long and I might be a out of practice. Anyway, I was wondering if you would do me the honour of having a read of manuscript and let me know what you think.’

‘Of course.’ Damon enjoyed a good tale. ‘What’s it called?’

‘A Story To Die For.’

The End


Written for: 13 Days of Samhain vol iii: Day 13: The Witching Hour

My thanks to everyone who has read, liked and commented on this story. Your encouragement has been well-received, I can assure you 🙂 And I have had so much fun writing it.

My thanks also to those who have joined in with the prompts. If you haven’t already, head over to the main prompt post (link above) and find the links in the comments to some truly amazing writing by some truly talented writers and poets. I’ve had as much fun reading these stories and poems as I had writing my own contributions.

And that’s it for another year. I hope you all had a Blessed Samhain,

Sammi x