Featured

BBC 500 Words Story Commission Inspires New School and Festival Event

I recently had the pleasure of working with the BBC on the Northwest launch of their 500 Words Story competition at Blackley Academy in Greater Manchester.

The BBC Team wanted an event that would fire imaginations and encourage even the most reluctant writers to enter the biggest story competition in the UK. And it was to be filmed by Northwest Tonight. No pressure there then.  

Unicorn Riding Teachers and Story Inspiration

But rather than let the imposter syndrome take over, I practised what I preach, brought out my inner LARP warrior and went for it. The event was amazing fun and such a success I have decided to add it to my festival and schools event portfolio.

“I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for today! You were absolutely brilliant – the sessions were so engaging and fun, and the kids really loved taking part. I’ve already had such positive feedback from the school.”
Usman Mullan, Producer I 500 Words I BBC Children’s and Education

If you’d like to get teachers riding unicorns, witness giant chickens showing off their skateboarding skills and maybe do a bit of mythic cat dancing, all while creating great stories, then drop me a line via the contact page on my website and I’ll bring my box of story inspiration your way.

Teacher dressed in green cape and elf ears rides hobby horse unicorn while Marie Basting author and school children from Blackley Academy share a laugh

Event Format:

  • Marie will share her writing inspiration and fire imaginations as she talks about how she creates unique stories and characters by giving myth and fairy tale an unexpected contemporary twist;
  • Children will be encouraged to dive into Marie’s box of story magic as Marie uses a range of props to illustrate how story ideas are everywhere if we just use our imagination.  (And, yes, Marie might just get your grownups riding a unicorn here!)
  • Familiar with mixing up the unexpected, children will create their own character and write the opening to their story;
  • Supporting resources will allow children to continue their story after the session at home or in the classroom.

“You were fabulous – the pupils loved it”
Sara White, Deputy Head I Blackley Academy

If you want to inspire large numbers of children to write while having heaps of fun, then this could be the session for you. Can be delivered as an inspirational assembly / festival event or as a standalone creative writing workshop. The event can also be mixed and matched with my other creative writing workshops, allowing children to delve deeper into the craft.

Get in touch now!

Cringey Self-Promo Moment!

One of the hardest things I have had to overcome as an author is the embarrassment associated with promoting my books. I’m fine chatting on social media, but I’m not somebody who finds it easy to blow their own trumpet. Shouting about your achievements isn’t something working-class girls from the North were brought up to do. Nobody likes a show off, right?

I guess this is why I so often use humour as a way to temper my insecurities. After all, if I’m already laughing at myself, it doesn’t matter if others find me cringey too. So here’s a cringey little video I made about the Christmassy themes in my latest book – Auntie Medusa and Me. It’s not quite up to John Lewis standards, but at least I’m putting myself out there, right?

Happy 1st December, everyone. Don’t be afraid to shine bright this holiday season.

Auntie Medusa and Me: Discover Roman Traditions This Christmas with a Free Virtual Visit or Author Letter

Did you know my book Auntie Medusa and Me is set in the run-up to the Christmas holidays? It also heavily features Saturnalia – the Roman festival that gave us many of our Christmas traditions.

I would love to send your KS2 class a seasonal message wishing them happy holidays and telling them all about this amazing Roman festival. I can also offer a limited number of free virtual visits (20 min max) where children will learn about Saturnalia through a fun quiz and can ask me questions about the festival or author life.

Please drop me a message via the contact form to take up this offer. And feel free to download the snow-filled opening chapter of Auntie Medusa and Me while you’re here.

Welcome

Inspiring Young Creatives with My Family and Other Romans

I recently received a letter from a reader and their tutor containing some amazing fan art and creative writing pieces inspired by my book My Family and Other Romans. It really is the best feeling when you learn how your books have inspired young people to create their own words and images. And that feeling is even better when they’ve loved your work so much they want to make the characters their own.

I particularly loved receiving this drawing of Poly the cyclops. In My Family and Other Romans, Polly is a toddler who likes to eat worms and suck kneecaps but here she’s been reimagined as a contemplative teenager. Mind-blowing!

If you too are looking for new ways to inspire your KS2 learners, check out the My Family and Other Romans and Auntie Medusa and Me teacher resources here. Created by Adamma Okonkwohey, they’re perfect for educators looking to mix up their Romans and Greek topics. They also contain a range of creative writing and other cross-curricular activities.

And if you do decide to use my books in the classroom, I offer free virtual Q and A sessions (15 minutes) for your class. Drop me a line via the contact form here.

Meet Your Favourite Authors on the Great North Tour!

Just one week to go to the Great North Author Tour when I’ll be joining eleven other fantastic children’s authors on a two hundred mile minibus journey around the North East of England. Our purpose – to visit five brilliant indie bookshops as we round off #IndependentBookShopWeek.

Please come along and support your local bookshop. We would love to chat and to sign and dedicate books. Just look at this amazing line up of authors:

And here’s where you can catch us. Five of finest indies in the North!

I hope to see you there. And if you can’t make it why not but a book from your local independent bookshop and celebrate independent book shop week that way!