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. Her debut novel, the acclaimed Princess BMX was published in 2019.

When she’s not writing, Marie likes nothing more than encouraging others to follow their dreams. Her school and festival events have inspired thousands of children to smash stereotypes and defy expectations. A former Associate Lecturer at Manchester Met University, Marie has taught creative writing from foundation through to MFA level and has extensive experience of schools outreach for organisations including the Portico Library, Writing on the Wall and Manchester Writing School.

Marie lives in Manchester with her husband, son and a giant, hairy woo-dog called Polly. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and Pedagogy and Level 7 qualification in Action Learning.