Magazine owner and author Samantha Mattocks has launched her debut children’s book, Mister Mishkins’ Apothecary. Here, she explains how Mister Mishkins centres around her own cat – and helps people who have become lost or scared
Who are you and what do you do?
I am a Norfolk-based award-winning writer and journalist, photographer, magazine publisher, and foodie (MasterChef 2019). In 2004, I founded The Arabian Magazine, all about Arabian horses, which has seen me travel the world. I also launched The Delicate Diner, a foodie website that led me to competing in MasterChef 2019, followed by becoming the food and drink columnist for Norfolk Online. I then co-founded nourish magazine, a local food and drink magazine that ran for two years.
On the author side, I published my debut novel, Sandstorm, during lockdown, and have just published Mister Mishkins’ Apothecary, my first children’s book.
When did you first come up with the idea for Mister Mishkins’ Apothecary and who/what has inspired the book?
I have always been owned by cats and in 2021, my dear Merlin Cat passed away. The hunt began for a new feline friend, and I found Mishkins in Haverhill, of all places. The night before I went to pick him up, I was still trying to come up with a name for him; all my cats’ names have started with ‘M’. I decided upon ‘Mishkins’ and thought that, if the name suited him, I would call him Mister Mishkins, he would own an Apothecary, and I would write a children’s book about him. Two years later, the book is now out there!
What is the book about and what are the themes running through it?
The book is about those who are lost or scared or worried – be it about getting a new brother or sister, or a thunderstorm, or just fed up as it is raining all the time. People find themselves on a mystical street called Mosaic Street, which magically appears in town overnight whenever it is needed, and Mister Mishkins listens to their concerns. He then opens the relating apothecary drawer – and out comes a cat, who will take that person on an adventure and assuage them of their worries.
The common theme is that of friendship, along with hope. Mister Mishkins is a very kind cat, and he shows concern to all who turn up at his apothecary. Early reviews described the book as “very wholesome and nostalgic”, and I think we all need a little bit more of that in the current world we live in.
And it is also worth mentioning that all the cats in the book are real, based on cats either belonging to my family or those of friends.
Who has illustrated the book – and how important was it to get the illustrations just right?
A South African artist called Gerda Smit created the fantastic illustrations. She followed both Mishkins and me on Instagram, and I had a look at her website and loved what I saw! I had been looking for the right person to draw Mister Mishkins and his friends, and the expressions on their faces were very important to me. I was very clear about what I wanted, and Gerda fits the bill perfectly.
This is your first children’s book – what books have you written before, and what inspired them?
I have two books out there in the world. The first is poetry and photography collection, progress, published in 2009. It combines poetry I wrote in my late teens/early 20s with photography I have taken around the world as I travelled with The Arabian Magazine. The two matched together beautifully, and I am planning a follow up.
Then I have Sandstorm, the first in the Arabian Storm Series – although the sequel has taken a backseat to Mister Mishkins! This is a very different read – think Jilly Cooper set in the Arabian horse world – and as such, this series will now be written under a penname – Adelaide Halsey.
Is Mister Mishkins’ Apothecary going to be the first of many?
It is, yes – this is the first in The Magical Mister Mishkins Series. I am already working on the second book, and I currently have four planned in my head. However, there will be a new character in the second book who will then have their own spin-off series. So, there are many more adventures to come for Mister Mishkins and his friends!
If so, what are your hopes and dreams for the series?
Goodness, it’s one thing to hope and dream and another to write them down! Suffice to say, I do have some dreams in mind, but I will keep them to myself for now. No spoilers here!
Finally, where can people get hold of a copy?
Mister Mishkins has his own website, which has lots of information on there about the cats, plus downloads such as colouring sheets. You can order copies direct from his website, including a limited-edition hardback which he will sign. Other than that, you can go into any bookshop and ask for Mister Mishkins’ Apothecary and they will order it in for you. Plus, it will be on Amazon from 23 October.
Mister Mishkins’ Apothecary, Written by Samantha Mattocks, Illustrations by Gerda Smit is available on Amazon from today (October 23, 2023).Visit www.mistermishkins.com and www.samanthamattocks.com. Meet the author: Samantha will be appearing at @theloddonswan today (October 23) for Ladies Night (6.30-9pm), @oldhallfarm, Woodton on October 26 (11am-3pm), and then at Burnham Market Christmas Light Switch On, on November 18 at The Old Apothecary, owned by @tuscanfarmshop.
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