Press Pack

**** I’m now taking bookings for my epic Ancient Rome themed events and workshops linked to my second Middle Grade novel My Family and Other Romans.  More details here!****

Meet Ava, a radical new princess who splits her time between the skateparks of Camden, London and her home in a magical kingdom. Published by Chicken House, PRINCESS BMX is a funny debut for ages 7+ that brings the fairy tale bang up to date – get ready for some extreme adventurous fun!

Trust me, the fairy tales have it so wrong. Dingy towers and wicked step-mums are the least of my worries: it’s the boredom that will kill me. Honestly, apart from the endless supply of cupcakes, being a princess is pretty rubbish. I used to think about locking myself in a tower and throwing away the key. Thank the good goblin I discovered BMX. If it wasn’t for BMX, nothing would have changed …

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PRINCESS BMX is Enchanted meets BMX! Follow Ava’s adventures as she travels from another world, finds her true talents in BMX and brings her brand-new powers back home. With black and white illustrations throughout by Flavia Sorrentino, young readers will delight in following Ava on her adventures with her dog, Jeb.

Reviews and Endorsements

More irrepressible fun runs through Princess BMX […] Evil aunties and fairy godfathers called Nigel combine with a streak of feisty rebellion to create a daft and delicious fantasy.
The Guardian

And full-on fantasy as BMX-riding Princess Ava of the Kingdom of Biscotti launches herself into a series of hilarious adventures […] The laughs come thick and fast, the illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino are superb, and Jeb, Princess Ava’s little dog, often steals the show. Superb!
Books Monthly

Princess BMX is a bewitching, laugh-out-loud adventure, full of weird and wonderful creatures […] and with a bold, brave, rule-breaking heroine who proves girls step in where others fear to tread. So get in gear for the best royal story in London town!
Lancashire Post

Ava’s hilarious adventure races along at breakneck speed while punctured with characterful illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino. Children will love Ava’s cheeky humour and her courage to be true to herself. A modern fairy-tale which is full of magic, friendship and bikes! Enchanted meets BMX.
South Wales Evening Post

This book is a fabulous mix of magic and the everyday.  A testament to friendship and believing in yourself.  A proper modern fairy-tale with a princess that is waaaaaaay more than a pink dress wearing puppet.  Ava is brave, fearless and fabulous and the story ends with the tantalising prospect of more to come.
StorgyKids

Joyful word building meets compelling storytelling in this fun and entertaining debut, a must for those who love to break the rules and challenge the status quo.
Book Lover Jo

This is a perfect book to empower girls to be who they want to be, learn what they are keen to learn and to be brave and curious! Avariella breaks the rules but she knows there is more to life than curtsying, cutting ribbons and smiling politely […] Oh my Curly candy, this is a brilliant book!
My Shelves Are Full

A hugely entertaining story about the “most radical princess since Leia”: it’s impossible not to love – and laugh out loud at – Princess BMX.
Madge Eekel Reviews

About Marie Basting

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 Marie finally came to realise that girls like her can do anything they want. Marie has an MA Creative Writing and is an experienced learning and development practitioner. She is an Assistant Regional Advisor for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, supporting the development of writers and illustrators at all stages of their careers. She also provides creative writing tuition to both adults and children and is an Associate Lecturer at Manchester Met University. She lives in Manchester with her husband, son and a giant, hairy woo-dog called Polly. Princess BMX is her debut novel.

Connect with Marie on Twitter @riewriting and Instagram @marie_basting_author.

Press enquiries – contact Laura Smythe (Chicken House PR) on laurasmythecontact@gmail.com or 07881 555530

Princess BMX Blog Tour and Author Interviews

Here’s a round-up of the posts from the Princess BMX blog tour. Thank you to all the fantastic bloggers who supported me and made my debut so special.

REWRITING MY STORY – How Writing Changed my Life
A guest post at ‘At My Shelves Are Full’ where I reflect on my writing journey and the road travelled since I set out ‘rewrite my story through telling stories’.
Read more.

WHY Writers need to be more BMX

Writing a book about a BMXing princess, I spent a lot of time watching and researching the sport. The more familiar I became with this tight-knit extreme sporting community, the more it struck me just how much writers could learn from them.

PART ONE:  Risking it All With Your Fingers Crossed
In part one of my series on why we all need to be more BMX, I reflect on my learning from the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup in Manchester.
Read more.

PART TWO: Taking One for The Team
In part two of my series on why we all need to be more BMX, I reflect on the importance of team and community to a writer’s long-term resilience.
Read more.

BEING MORE BMX
An interview with BMXer Dakota Rose Tucker, who at six-years-old has already competed in her first World Championships.
Read more.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW
I chat to Mr Ripley, about writing for children, the importance of funny books and the Bubblegum Bazzar.
Read more.

MY DEBUT JOURNEY
You’ll find more information about me and my debut journey at:
Words and Pictures Online Magazine
Madge Eekel Reviews

Marie is available for events and author visits. She is currently offering a 10 percent discount for schools in Greater Manchester, Halton, Liverpool and the Wirral – visit her school visits page for further details.

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