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 my book Princess BMX. If you didn’t and you have no idea what you’re doing here, the next bus doesn’t leave for an hour, so why not take a look around. You’ll find all my latest news, interviews, reviews, school resources and secrets I haven’t even told myself. And, please, no laughing at my webbed feet!
I love meeting readers, so don’t forget to visit the events information for news of my bookshop and festival appearances. Schools and event organisers, find out more about what I can offer here. Meanwhile, please check out my free Princess BMX resources and reading guide.
PRINCESS BMX is Enchanted meets BMX! A funny debut for ages 7+ that brings the fairy tale bang up to date – get ready for some extreme adventurous fun! With black and white illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino, are you ready to be more BMX!
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.
With two years to go until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships take place in Glasgow and across Scotland, I’m super excited to help mark the countdown, alongside two-time Olympic gold-medallist and Track Cycling World Champion Katie Archibald, with a … Continue reading →
Sadly, due to Covid19, I am not currently offering live events, but I’ve come up with some great ways for us to connect online. All virtual visits include a free online book signing. VIRTUAL VISITS MENU Skype /Zoom Chat £50 … Continue reading →
Sadly, due to Covid19, I am not currently offering live events, but I’ve come up with some great ways for us to connect online. To celebrate, I’m running a competition over on Twitter where schools can win a free virtual author visit worth up to £75. You’ll find more details of my virtual author visits below but you’ll need to pop over to Twitter via the link below to enter.
All virtual visits include a free online book signing. Closing date 13th September.
Choose to watch an introductory video with a reading from Princess BMX in advance of the session or a reading can be incorporated. A range of Princess BMX resources are available to schools who wish to follow up the chat with Princess BMX inspired creative writing or BMX themed activities.
Ideally this would be a class discussion though happy to chat if the school wants a bigger group.
#BeMoreBMXassembly style presentation with reading and Q and A
With themes of resilience, smashing stereotypes and developing a positive extreme sporting attitude, my assembly style presentation will leave children rearing to defy the limits others put on them and #BeMoreBMX. Includes a look at my writing journey and of course some extreme sporting video clips!
£75 for 45 minute session
A range of Princess BMX resources are available to schools who wish to follow up with some writing or BMX themed activities.
While no limit on numbers, given the event is streamed via your preferred platform, schools will need to be mindful of logistics and the specific needs of pupils.
Live Workshop
Princess BMX Character Mash – using a Top Trumps style format, children will develop their own fairy tale character and send them off on an exciting adventure!
Through the Portal – travel through the portal and build your own fantasy world.
£75 for 45 minute session
Both workshops include drawing and writing exercises and are appropriately scaffolded so as to appeal to even the most reluctant writers.
Shorter workshop includes Q and A and more time to share the children’s work. Follow up activities will be provided so that the children can turn the activity into a short story.
Maximum of 30 / One Class
Session tailored to school requirements
£100 for 60 minute session
Let’s chat about your requirements!
WHY CHOOSE ME FOR YOUR EVENT?
Loved by BookTrust and recommended by the Gender Collective, Princess BMX is not only fun but offers a range of educational opportunities – see the Reading Guide for further information. Couple this with my extensive experience of school visits, delivering writing workshops and participating in other book related activities and you are assured a quality event that will engage and inspire your pupils.
An adaptable and professional learning practitioner, with an MA in Creative Writing, I have been commissioned to develop a wide range of schools outreach and enrichment work for organisations including Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), the Portico Library, Writing on the Wall, Connell Sixth Form College and Marsden Library. So you can be assured, your event is in safe hands.
Marie is such an outstanding writer and practitioner who is passionate about sharing her creativity with pupils of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, including those who have EAL and SEN. Feedback from teachers and pupils has been overwhelmingly positive and is a testimony to Marie’s ability to engage and inspire the next generation of creative writers. Claudia Conerney, Schools Liaison Coordinator, MMU.
welcome to my website! 
