Marie Basting

Hello and welcome to my website. If you came here on purpose, you’ll already know that this is the place to find out more about me, Marie Basting, and the funny books I write for children.

Latest News…

My latest middle grade adventure, My Family and Other Romans will be published 8th June 2023 and is available to preorder now. Find out more about my Roman timeslip adventure here.

I’ll be offering some exciting new events too.

I love hearing from readers, so why not drop me a line via the contact form and do make sure to check out my blog for my latest news. Schools and event organisers, you can find out more about my stereotype-smashing, resilience building presentations and workshops here. Or check out my free Princess BMX resources and reading guide.

Bringing You Ancient Rome and BMX!

My funny books for children take inspiration from myth, legend and fairytale, mixing up these traditional tales, and giving them a humorous contemporary twist. You can find out more here or why not read a sample chapter and access easy order links on the Chicken House website.

Praise for Princess BMX

A daft and delicious fantasy.
The Guardian

Hillarious!
Book Trust

Brimming with humour, action, mystery, danger.
Lancashire Evening Post

Princess BMX is illustrated by the wonderful Flavia Sorrentino! Flavia also did the amazing cover art for My Family and Other Romans. Find out more about Flavia here.

Teachers! I am now taking bookings for my epic Ancient Rome-themed events. I often run promotions on my school visits and all sessions come with follow-up resources. You’ll also be provided with a teacher guide to support your creative writing and reading for pleasure. Visit my school visit page for further details.

Published by Chicken House, both Princess BMX and My Family and Other Romans can be ordered from your local book store or follow the links here.

When Marie Basting was fifteen, she was told by a careers advisor that girls like her don’t become writers. For a long time, she believed this. But then something magical happened and Marie finally came to realise that girls like her can do anything they want. Princess BMX is her debut novel.

My Family and Other Romans School Visits
I’m super excited to be taking bookings for my new My Family And Other Romans school and festival events – perfect for anyone teaching the Romans or looking to improve reading and writing for pleasure. I’ve pasted a little taster of the assembly event below but you’ll find full details on my events page or downloadContinue reading “My Family and Other Romans School Visits”
Coming Soon – My Family and Other Romans
I’m so excited to finally be able to share details of my next middle-grade novel, My Family and Other Romans, released 8th June by Chicken House Books. Just look at the gorgeous cover by Flavia Sorrentino! Flavia also did the cover for my debut novel, Princess BMX, and I was so happy when I heardContinue reading “Coming Soon – My Family and Other Romans”
What Captain America Taught Me About Voice
I had an amazing time at the SCBWI Conference in Manchester last weekend. As well as being part of the team that brought the conference to the North, I also delivered my new voice workshop – What Captain America Taught Me About Voice – writing with superhero pow! As the writers out there will know,Continue reading “What Captain America Taught Me About Voice”

Latest Insta Posts @marie_basting_author

Well, my new shoes have gone down much better than any of my Ancient Roman insights so I figured I would bring you a piece of shoe-themed Roman trivia.

Guilty as charged. Yes, I did absolutely buy shoes to match my new book cover.

Just four sleeps to go and my toilet-related facts seem to have proven the most popular so let’s talk about poo. Or more specifically which type of poo you should use to treat your various ailments Roman style.

I was too busy sending off my next book to my editor yesterday to post a Roman fact. Well, OK, I could have done it at some point but I wanted to go the pub. And as my son informed me, nobody cares. Harsh! Teenagers, hey 😭

The countdown to My Family and Other Romans continues. Today, it's time to say hello to Bellona. Known for her bloodlust and crazed battle tactics, her legacy is a bit overshadowed by Minerva, but in Romana nobody puts Bellona in the corner.

Exactly a week to go until publication & my bookmarks have arrived. I'm therefore forgoing my fact of the day so as to allow the world to reflect on their beauty. Cover art by @flaviasorr.

Would any of you lovely booksellers who are considering stocking #MyFamilyAndOtherRomans like some signed book plates? I will soon have bookmarks too. Shares appreciated to help spread the word 🙏

Today's countdown fact is brought to you with the help of concrete. Yes concrete - Latin name opus caementicum.

Fancy whiter teeth but don’t want to shell out for expensive dentistry work? Why not adopt the Roman solution and rinse your mouth with wee?

Follow me on Twitter @riewriting