(Kids only – grown-ups should head straight to the sensible information in the Press Pack or on the School Visits and Events page. If you do read this, Marie denies everything.)
Marie Basting writes funny books for children – so funny a devoted reader in Rochdale once laughed so hard their head fell off. OK, that is a big fat lie, but Marie mostly speaks the truth except on Tuesdays when she teaches synchronised swimming to mermaids and helps out at a shelter for homeless goblins.
On Wednesdays Marie hunts boggarts with her friend Zana the brave.
Marie has written two novels, Princess BMX and My Family And Other Romans, but she plans to write lots more as soon as she has finished watching Adventure Time. Marie loves Adventure Time because, like her first book, Princess BMX, it is a kind of modern fairy tale, and Marie wants to show children that magic is everywhere even if it is sometimes hard to find. That sounds corny but trust me it is not as corny as Marie’s feet.
Marie posing with a BMX.
Marie had the idea for Princess BMX while watching BMXers at Undercroft skate park on the South Bank. When Marie was a kid, BMX was for boys and she wasn’t brave enough to try extreme sports anyway. Not being brave or confident enough was a bit of a theme for Marie, but the good news is she eventually got over this and decided she wouldn’t let fear hold her back anymore. She gave up her job and decided to write books about children who have amazing adventures and learn to be true to themselves. The bad news is Marie is absolutely rubbish at BMX. Hopefully, her books are better. You decide.
Marie posing at Undercroft Skate Park.
Marie’s second book, My Family and Other Romans, was inspired by a dream: red-caped legionaries glowing amber as they boarded a gleaming silver bullet train. The train never made it into the story, but the Roman soldiers did, along with a baby cyclops, surfer dude centurion, various Roman gods and a double serving of stuffed dormice and flamingo tongues.
Marie posing with innocent school children she has dressed up in silly costumes.
When Marie isn’t writing or watching the telly, you’ll probably find her mooching around Manchester with her husband, son and most unusual of pets, Polly Woo. As you can see, Polly is a very rare cross between a womble and a wookie.
Polly the Wookie Womble Woo.
Chewbacca is Polly’s favorite film star EVER but so far he has ignored her marriage proposals which Marie thinks is rather rude. Polly, however, won’t have a word said against Chewy and figures he’s too busy saving the galaxy to reply to her letters. Whatever you do, don’t get your relationship advice from Polly.
Like Chewy, Marie grew up in a galaxy far far away. Well, it was far away from Chewy at least. Born in Liverpool, to a fairy prince and a time travelling minstrel called Ethel, she moved to Runcorn when she was nine-years-old. Her brother has superhuman powers, but he is a bit shy so she can’t talk about them here. Her dog Snowie was the naughtiest dog ever and once interrupted a police dog display at her school. Marie, however, was always well behaved and denies ever locking her teacher in a cupboard. The last thing you should know about Marie is that she has zillions of cousins and every single one of them has webbed feet. If they eat after midnight nothing happens.
Teachers! I said this was for children only but as you’re here I may as well let you know that my author visits are competitively priced and include a free book signing. I frequently offer discounts to schools in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Halton and the Wirral – visit my school visits page for further details.
Marie Basting 