Io Saturnalia!

Festive Events with a Mythical Twist! brought to you by Children’s Author Marie Basting

Did you know my latest book, Auntie Medusa and Me, is set during Saturnalia: the Ancient Roman festival that turned the usual Roman order upside down and gave us many of our Christmas traditions? Which makes November & December the perfect time to invite me in for a festive school, library or bookshop visit! I’m even offering schools in Greater Manchester, Halton and Merseyside, who agree to hosting a book signing, a Christmas cracking twenty-five percent discount on a full or half day visit.

Auntie Medusa and Me – Io Saturnalia

Find out more about my wider events and school visits offer here.

Talks

In my Saturnalia assembly presentation, we’ll learn all about this fascinating Ancient Roman festival through a fun quiz. We’ll then allow misrule to rule as we play some silly Saturnalia games and agree our manifesto for mischief. The manifesto can then be used as a creative writing prompt in the classroom. Ideally suited to KS2 but can be adapted to include KS1.

Workshops and Crafts

Work with me in the classroom to shape your mischief manifesto inspired stories as I help you to develop plot and setting. Or we can do some fun festive crafts tailored to the year group. Saturnalia wreaths, stars to hang on your tree or a festive bookmark – you choose. Medusa snake hat optional.

Marie Basting Children's Author wearing a silly shiny green Medusa-inspired snake hat in a classroom with author visit props in the background.

Bookshops and Libraries

Both the crafts and creative writing workshop can be delivered independently of the assembly. I’ll give a short introduction to Saturnalia and Auntie Medusa and Me and then let the mischief begin.

Message me via the form on my contact page to discuss.

Virtual Visits

I know budgets are tight and so everyone can join in the fun, I’m offering a limited number of free festive virtual visits to schools in the UK and Ireland. In addition to learning all about Saturnalia through a fun quiz, there will be time for children to ask questions about being an author, writing, books, and reading for pleasure. Further details here.

Find out more about my in person events and school visits here.

Discover Auntie Medusa’s Museum Trail at Roman Baths

I have been dying to tell you about this! Auntie Medusa has her very own museum trail at the renowned Roman Baths in Bath. Join Silvia, the demigod from Hexham, on a mythic family quest through the baths and help her locate Medusa’s head. Along the way, you’ll discover fascinating facts about Medusa, meet real-life Roman characters and experience a world-renowned heritage site.

Image courtesy of Roman Baths, Bath

What an absolute career highlight to see my creation and Flavia Sorrentino’s illustrations come to life in this way. I can’t wait to visit the Baths on Saturday 26th October when I’ll be delivering a fun family session where I’ll tell you all about how I took history and myth and mixed it up with popular culture and Live Action Role Play to create a hilarious timeslip adventure. Then maybe we can go and marvel at the trail together.

The trail is included in your entry ticket to the Roman Baths and runs until 1 December 2024. Tickets for the event on 26th October can be purchased here.

A giant gorgon thank you to my publisher Chicken House and the Roman Baths team for making this happen!

About Marie Basting

Marie Basting writes funny fiction for middle-graders. Told by a career adviser, that girls like her don’t become writers, Marie loves nothing more than inspiring others to believe in themselves and achieve their dreams whatever the limits put on them. Her school and festival events have inspired thousands of children to smash stereotypes and to read and write for pleasure.

I’m Appearing at the Cirencester History Festival

I’m super excited to be appearing at the Cirencester history festival on Sunday 27th October 2024. When I set about writing My Family and Other Romans the impostor syndrome set in big style, so to have my Roman adventure stories featured at an actual real life history festival is a bit mind blowing.

I do hope you can come along and join my mixed up mythology workshop. You’ll be creating your own mixed-up mythological creature, designing a wanted poster for its capture, and if you like, I’ll even help you write the opening to your own mythic story. There will also be plenty of time to chat and for book signing.

Age 7+. Follow the link to the Corinium Museum to buy tickets. At just £3, they’re much cheaper than flamingo tongues.

Don’t forget the museum is also running a My Family and Other Romans family trail which you can visit until 30th October 2024. Children can help Livi, the school girl demigod, by taking part in a quest to find the translations for the Latin phrases hidden around the museum. Under-fives can take part in a trail to find the characters from the book. Complete the quest and claim your prize!

About Marie Basting

Marie Basting writes funny fiction for children. Her debut novel, Princess BMX, was listed by the Guardian and BookTrust in their best new books category and was praised by Gender Collect as one of the best books out there for smashing stereotypes.

In 2023 My Family and Other Romans won a Books For Topics award for best KS2 curriculum support. A former Associate Lecturer at Manchester Met University, Marie has taught creative writing from foundation through to MFA level and has extensive experience of creative schools outreach delivery.

New Auntie Medusa themed School and Festival Events

I’ve updated my website to include my latest events offer. I offer fun interactive talks, readings and workshops with a Greco-Roman or BMX twist that are guaranteed to make you laugh out loud while raising aspirations and inspiring reading and writing for pleasure.

Whether you want to travel back to Ancient Rome with My Family and Other Romans, learn more about the Greco-Roman myths and festivals that inspired Auntie Medusa and Me or develop your resilience with Princess BMX, I have a presentation to suit you. I’ve summarised my most popular assemblies and workshops in the attached leaflet but do get in touch if you’d like something else. I’m also happy to mix and match elements to suit your needs.

Marie Basting – Events for schoolsDownload

⛄✨❆ And if you are looking for a special festive celebration with a difference, why not invite me to talk more about the Roman festival of Saturnalia – the Roman predecessor to Christmas that forms the backdrop for Auntie Medusa and Me.🎁･:*🦌

“Fun, engaging and interactive talks filled with disgusting facts and little known information about the Romans, as well as inspiring discussion about life as an author and finding your inner warrior. There was such a buzz from the pupils attending!”
Schools Engagement Lead, Waterstones Altricham

🏆 My Family and Other Romans was voted by teachers the best book of 2023 for curriculum support – Books For Topics. If you’d like to use my book in the classroom, check out the cross curricular teacher pack here. 🏆

Auntie Medusa is Here!

And it’s a hat-trick for Basting! My third book Auntie Medusa and Me hit the bookshops yesterday. This girl standing in the ancient city of Ephesus could never have imagined writing a series crammed full of Greek and Roman myth. But somehow I did. Keep dreaming big!

Auntie Medusa and Me is an epic middle grade adventure perfect for fans of Loki and Who Let the Gods out. Join Silvia on the perilous hunt for Medusa’s head…because Auntie Medusa wants her head back and she’s chosen Silvia to find it.

Cover Art is by the fantastic Flavia Sorrentino

An action-packed, laugh-out-loud funny Greek mythology adventure from the author of My Family and Other Romans!

I’m Silvia, an ordinary kid just like you. At least, I was ordinary until I wound up in Ancient Rome and found out I’m a demigoddess.

Yeah, that took me by surprise too. But seriously, travelling back in time is nothing compared to what’s happening now . . .

Medusa the gorgon wants her head back – and she’s chosen me to find it!

  • Packed full of Roman and Ancient Greek mythology – as you’ve never seen it before!
  • A laugh-out-loud funny family caper full of excitement and heart: perfect for fans of Loki, Horrible Histories and Who Let the Gods Out?
  • Readers will go on a time-travel adventure – with a LARPing twist
  • Perfect for ages 8 and up; sure to be a hit with KS2 readers, as Romans are a staple on the curriculum

PRAISE FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER ROMANS:

‘Perfect funny escapism with added Roman mythology … Charming and mischievous!’ LOUIE STOWELL, author of LOKI

‘Full of fun and adventure, this time-travel tale will show you the Romans as you’ve never imagined them before.’ THE WEEK JUNIOR

‘AMAZING! I snort-laughed through this hilarious Roman romp. Perfect for anyone learning about the Romans. Love the sprinkling of Latin too!’ RASHMI SIRDESHPANDE

‘Pure chaotic hilarity’ S. J. WILLS

🐍You can order a signed and dedicated copy of my books from my local indie Chorlton Book Shop. Just email chorltonbookshop@lineone.net with details of your dedication and they will contact you to sort payment. Alternatively you can call 0161 8816374. Or buy now from your usual bookstore.🐍