Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿 @MariaMotunrayo Twitter profile | Pikagi

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Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

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🇳🇬 Author of the Kòkú Àkànbí MG fantasy series published by @hachettekids rep by HG Literary/ & Doctoral Researcher in African Art History @unibirmingham .

Birmingham, England

https://t.co/qhxk99XOEN

Joined August 2019

Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

🚨COVER REVEAL🚨 I’m a second-born child, so of course I put even more heart into the sequel. Also, big up @WaterstonesKids for the reveal, the incredible team at @HachetteKids & my new illustrator Flavio who is responsible for this Spiderman X Marvel movie poster cover💪🏾🔥🔥

@WaterstonesKids

Waterstones Kids

@WaterstonesKids

6 months

Demon dads. Flaming warriors. Ghostly powers. Welcome back to Olori... This August @MariaMotunrayo 's thrilling Jujuland series continues with Kòkú Àkànbí & The King of Lost Souls, with stunning cover art by Flavio B. Silva! Preorder your copy:

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

I went to Oxford, came from a working class background. I was told that I would graduate rich with lots of well connected friends, ended up poorer than I was when I went in, living with my parents, friendless. They literally despise working class people at Oxford, lol.

@lisafparry

Lisa Parry

5 months

@sianharries_ I got to Oxford from the same background. As soon as I left, I saw it wasn't Oxbridge that helped. It was connections from public schools etc and money to do unpaid internships in London.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

When I told my tutor that I would be working in Boots as a retail assistant during the summer when she asked what my summer plans are, and she said, Why on earth would you do that? I answered, because of money. Because I can’t afford to be here without it.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

I’ve always loved learning that’s why I went. Oxford is really just about elitism and weaponising rhetoric & a posh accent to get your way which is why so many (already privileged) people who go there end up in politics.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

It was clear that if I didn’t want to be a jester for the upper class and perform some mockery of my Black Working class identity & be mentioned whenever someone was (rightfully) accused of racism or classism I would be alone.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

Ended up with one friend who was from Tokyo so she moved to Japan right after, I’ve always had loads of friends. I’m a bubbly person by nature with friends I’ve had since I was 6, I could not connect with the people at Oxford at all & they made a point not to connect with me

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

I didn’t even understand my graduation ceremony because it was in LATIN! Wait apart from the 5 mins at the beginning where they boasted about not teaching us so we could learn the old fashioned way, by killing ourselves in libraries & being insulted by professors in 1:1s

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

The worst part about it is when you graduate and interact with people you are told that you can’t really call yourself working class anymore, even if you’re broke, and grew up without money, ppl assume that you’re out of touch which I don’t even blame them for.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

Your points would always be invalidated if you pronounced a word “wrong” which meant a regional accent of any kind including a cockney one. I remember shaking during tutorials, when I was being asked to read, so worried about mispronouncing certain terms in front of my peers.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

Btw, if you've made it this far, I do have a book coming out soon, all my novels bring out the magic of the Black British working class experience with an extra heaping of magic and shenanigans. Here's the pre-order if you're interested: 🙏🏾

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Koku Akanbi and the King of Lost Souls

Pre-order now

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

@Libertarian196 Sandeep, I was misinformed about what Oxford was all about. As I said, I come from a working class background & went to a state school where I was sold a dream. Nevertheless, I graduated and became a novelist, my dream job. You did not succeed in putting a Black woman down today.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

If World Book Day won’t make a statement, we as children’s authors will🇵🇸🙏🏾 Reading is all about empathy and we should use that to stand firmly with Palestine ALL the children deserve to be happy, well fed and live long fulfilling lives. We must never forget them.

@WorldBookDayUK

World Book Day UK 📚

@WorldBookDayUK

3 years

World Book Day stands in solidarity with the people and children of Ukraine. This year we hope World Book Day brings joy and hope at a time when children need it most:

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

When publishing desperately acquired Black authors in 2020 they did not attempt to change the institution by hiring into their teams that are overwhelmingly white + middle class. We need diverse marketing teams, literary agents & editors to create successful Black books.

@thebookseller

The Bookseller

5 months

Despite the industry’s efforts to embrace diversity and inclusion, sales figures for Black authors remain underwhelming according to the latest data from Nielsen 👇

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

I just gave BIRTH! To my second book. Here’s a chaotic box opening to celebrate. Thanks @HachetteKids for the gorgeous copies.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

@Simply_Sayo the way I don't have nightmares anymore. I used to have the wildest ones when I was religious, now I sleep like a baby😇

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

@TyburnFleet Its sad how common this is and how it hasn't changed at all. The way they mocked northern accents at Oxford was appalling, as if pronouncing "Gap Year", as "Gap Yah" is something to be proud of 👀

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

@sairas_writes So glad it resonated with you🙏🏾 we are not alone! I hate the othering of the BIPOC working class experience, so frustrating.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

7 months

On black British dialect, accessibility & linguistic racism: Whenever I see my book in the dyslexic friendly section I feel really happy. My novel has multiple dialects/languages in it and characters have authentic Nigerian names AND it’s accessible for all readers. (1/5)

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

Woke up to flowers this morning 🥹🫶🏾 thanks @HachetteKids for being my debut publisher and giving me the series of my dreams. You create the most gorgeous books!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 years

@EndometriosisUK Imagine if this was a condition which solely affected men🤔

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

2 years

✨COVER REVEAL✨ I want you to all laugh and cry along with Koku. If you’re a fan of magic, man-eating monsters, vengeful mermaids, friendship and soul swallowing swords this book is for you. Preorder:

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

@indigojo_uk @convencia I went to Somerville a women's college, one of the more progressive ones where you can walk on the grass without being flogged. It's marginally better, I would've dropped out if I went to Balliol, quite frankly.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 years

@itsjoethesecond @SmilingStixx *Boxbraid firefighter Lupin😂

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

It felt like a risk to make Kòkú Àkànbí the title of my adventure fantasy series, but I knew it was important. I wanted Nigerian kids to see that a hero with a name like theirs could be the main hero in an EPIC fantasy! And this inmail I got proves it. 🇳🇬🔥

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

My Kòkú Àkànbí series available in TWO DAYS is based on Nigerian mythology and features a 13 year old boy struggling with sickle cell anemia who unleashes an ancient demon on a school trip & teams up with a clumsy shapeshifter and a warrior with magical braids to save the world!!

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@BeBraesFull

Freddie

3 months

I want Black creatives to let go of the “Black Harry Potter” vision and move onto something better and new.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

Happy Pride Month!!! 🏳️‍🌈 I can’t recommend this AWESOME read enough by @Annaleen . Punk rock meets feminist time travel. It’s a terrifyingly clever and timely story about a feminist time travelling squad of Queer women fighting against incels who are trying to remove women’s rights

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Omg Kòkú is number 1 for African Myths for children on Amazon, I can’t believe it. What? WHAT? 🥹🙏🏾 wow overjoyed by the support.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

This interview by the insanely talented @adekunleGold is so insightful! I highly recommend giving it a watch. Also, it reminded me why it was SO important to write a children's novel with a Nigerian protagonist that has sickle cell.

@LarryMadowo

Larry Madowo

4 months

Singer @adekunleGOLD opens up about living with sickle cell disease and how he adapted his lifestyle to stay healthy. About 80% of sickle cell patients are in Africa. Nigeria has the largest population of people living with the condition in the world

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

Happy Empathy Day! 💜Reading can help children understand intersectionality which is so important, especially now👏🏾. One of the main reasons I wrote the Koku Akanbi books is to help kids better understand the Black Disabled experience🧵 (1/7)

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

I wrote TWO. My fantasy series based on Nigerian mythology features mermaids, Burna Boy, ancient Gods, money spraying, flying motorbikes and a tabby cat named jollof. Life is pretty good I can’t lie💃🏾

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@XByBilal

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3 months

All the people who wanted to write a book when they grew up, what do you do now?

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 years

@thebookseller @bronzebygold This reminds me of when I was walking around the quads of another Oxford college during my second year with some friends. The porter shouted at me only and said as I shouldn’t be there even though I was literally wearing my college fleece I was asked to show my Uni ID card.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

Are you a hyper hyena kid, a moody ultra-cool teen warrior, or a morbid aspiring manga artist with dark powers? To celebrate exactly ONE WEEK until my book launch @HachetteKids have created this amazing quiz where you can find out💪🏾🔥

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

All the white liberals who posted a Black Square in 2020, I want to see some actions since they’re killing us in public now 👀 I’ll wait since I have to hide inside my own house to feel safe as there are literal terrorists in the streets of Manchester.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

Kòkú Àkànbí and the King of Lost Souls comes out tomorrow!!! 🩸In honour of Kòkú getting a blood transfusion at the start of book 2, if you can send me a pic of you donating blood I’ll send a free copy your way! #sicklecellawareness

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

Busy? Like fast-paced, heart felt stories? Are friendships important to you??? Sounds like you need to read some middle grade books. A 🧵on why adults should read middle grade for themselves. (1/9)

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

@AlisonKriel Thank you! Yes, I'm happy as a children's author, I love what I do💖

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVERRRRR! Thanks for choosing Kòkú @blackwellbooks 🙏🏾

@blackwellbooks

Blackwell's

@blackwellbooks

1 year

Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight is our Children's Book of the Month! An impressive fantasy debut brimming with West African folklore, adventure, and a hilarious hero who would rather be anything but ‘the chosen one’. Order your copy:

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

🚨ANNOUNCEMENT!🚨 Kòkú Àkànbí and the King of Lost Souls is out today!!!! August is actually my birthday month so it’s especially wonderful that my series comes out today. It would mean the world to me if you would do the following (1/6)

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

2 years

#NewProfilePic Holding my lockdown baby Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight in my hands for first time🥹. Thanks for the STUNNING proofs @HachetteKids and the wonderful illustrations @SimDougie 🥰🙏🏾✨

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

Thanks a BILLION for nominating Koku, for believing in my hilarious & quite annoying protagonist. I have the best ever agent @LydiaRSilver and a fantastic team at @HachetteKids that believe in me a lot which makes all the difference. Time to eat cake 🍰

@jhalakprize

Jhalak Prize

8 months

Delighted to announce the longlist for Jhalak Children's and Young Adult Prize 2024 Each of these books is a literary gem, to be admired, loved and treasured forever. Huge gratitude to the writers, creatives, publishers for bringing us this treasure trove! #jhalakprize24

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

Best Friday Morning surprise of ALL TIME😭🙌🏾! Seeing Koku on the front cover of the bookseller is a massive dream come true 🥹🙏🏾✨

@thebookseller

The Bookseller

1 year

This week's issue of #TheBookseller is live! With a round-up of news from The #BritishBookAwards , an interview with @OlivieBlake about her book Masters of Death ( @UKTor ), previews on Children's books publishing in August and MORE!⬇️

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

I had the most ✨MAGICAL✨ time delivering a glow in the dark interactive Kòkú Àkànbí event at West Norwood Picturehouse! 212 kids attended and the cinema was totally sold out😭👏🏾

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

Signing some Kòkú books in @Waterstones was an absolute dream come true. I even spotted one next to an Alex Rider book which is insane cause I was so obsessed with the series as a kid🥹🔥🔥

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

2 years

I just want to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey and who has made it possible to be here🙏🏾. My press release has just come out and I can finally share the wonderful news🥰. Hitting stores on the 🔥3rd of August🔥 Pre-order🙏🏾✨:

Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight: Book 1 (Jujuland)

Out now:

@thebookseller

The Bookseller

2 years

"It’s mostly about finding your home in people who see you for who you are, a tribe where you belong." @HachetteKids has signed Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight, the first book in an epic middle-grade fantasy series by @MariaMotunrayo . Read here:

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

I’ll be starting off the festival today! Make sure you drop in and say hi 🫶🏾

@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

🔥I’m THRILLED to be running a Glow in the Dark workshop on Orisa Mythology at this year’s Free Books Festival. I’ll be speaking from 10:30am-11.30am on Saturday the 20th of July, so make sure you stop by and collect your free SUPERPOWERS!!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

I’ve been invited back by the AWESOME Lea Forest Primary @lea_forest_aet to encourage Young Writers from 6 schools in the West Midlands to work on their very own stories! Sadly I’ve been poorly so I couldn’t meet them all irl, I’m so happy I get to meet them virtually though!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

@shardai_smithh I would love to read this, especially as a so-called “late bloomer” plus where I grew up (greenford, west London) this was pretty normal as most of my friends (and me) had strict immigrant parents so… pls write away!!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Kòkú’s INCREDIBLE drip, courtesy of my amazing new illustrator Flavio B. Silva is inspired by John Boyega’s Star Wars 2019 Premiere look. I feel like he should see this 😅👏🏾👏🏾 soon come 🙏🏾

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

With 🥁ONE MONTH🥁 till my debut Adventure fantasy novel hits shelves I thought I would share a few precious book moments for the memory bank.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 years

JUJULAND: When Koku frees a spirit on a school trip, he has no choice but to seek protection in a forbidden African jungle. To survive, he must team up with a clumsy shapeshifter and a warrior-in-training who make being possessed by a demon seem normal - almost #DVpit #BVM #MG

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

Sooo excited that Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight has been included in the #PrimarySchoolBookClub August 2023 vote tonight🤯 If you love monsters, magic braids and sarcastic teenagers head to @PrimarySchoolBC and vote using the pinned tweet🙏🏾🔥

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

Not at London book fair, but all day every day I support a ceasefire, and the freedom of the Palestinian people. Art has always been revolutionary. We have a responsibility to speak up about this. @bookworkers4pal #ceasefireNOW #LBF24

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

Thanks Blackwells! @ashley__thorpe I told you we would be on a book shelf together 🫶🏾 Dream come true 💪🏾🔥

@BlackwellsMcr

BlackwellsManchester

4 months

Huge thanks to Ashley Thorpe and Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí for visiting the shop and signing copies of their brilliant books THE BOY TO BEAT THE GODS and KÒKÚ ÀKÀNBÍ AND THE HEART OF MIDNIGHT. Available instore now!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

7 months

The association between “difficulty” and “blackness” is false, racist, and BORING in origin. Esp when much of pop culture is driven by black culture and Ebonics which means children of all backgrounds recognise it in their media and can relate to it more readily than RP English

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

👀A SNEAKY PEEK of some of the incredibly dynamic illustrations in the novel! If you like heroes with attitude problems, this novel is for you.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

2 years

Just finished reading Sadé and her Shadow Beasts and it reminded me that Yoruba is the only language that truly comforts me. Thank you 🙏🏾 @RachelWithAn_E

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

10 months

Omg Kòkú made it!!!! I’m overjoyed 😭🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

@sparkbookaward

Spark! School Book Awards

@sparkbookaward

10 months

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

7 months

Everyone who has ever used a Bobrisky-ism needs to speak up for Mummy Lagos NOW! It’s always taking the ideas/language/style/culture of Black Trans women and never standing up. Free BOB!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #FreeBobrisky

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

It was a pleasure! Lots of fun was had, as seen in my happy arm swingy motion

@LFP_MRS_HARTLES

Lea Forest Mrs Hartles

@LFP_MRS_HARTLES

8 months

. #LFP4SH @lea_forest_curr previlidged to have Maria Motúnráyo Adébísí @MariaMotunrayo author of Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight - as part of #WorldBookDay 2024 celebration.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

Moremi is an ode to black girls who are told that they are rude and bossy. Keep being yourself 💪🏾you may change the world one day.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

2 years

Brb travelling back in time to tell baby Maria Motunrayo that her dreams ✨WILL✨ come true

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@HachetteKids

Hachette Children's Group

2 years

We are delighted to be publishing Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight by @MariaMotunrayo ! The start of an epic middle-grade fantasy series full of action and powerful magic, and inspired by West African mythology. Coming 3rd August 2023. The power is in his hands . . .✨

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

🇳🇬🔥NIGERIANS RISE UP!!!! My new book has a BLACK KING wearing an agbada on the cover😮‍💨 Imma need the support of every Oluwa in the country with this one✊🏿🔥 🚨Available for pre-order: #Nigerians #blackpower

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Book 2 is coming together so beautifully I cannot wait to share it with everyone🥳🔥

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

I’ve always wanted to write a book that was taught in schools so this really warms my heart 🥹🙏🏾

@RunnymedeTrust

Runnymede Trust

@RunnymedeTrust

1 year

The (incomplete) Key Stage 2 #LitInColour book list features fantastic works by @NathanBryon , @DapsDraws , @nazneen372 , @MariaMotunrayo and many, many more authors and illustrators of colour! Download for free here 👇 📚 @PenguinUKBooks @Literacy_Trust

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

My Book Tour starts today! I’ll be starting in Leeds 💃🏾

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

7 months

I had the pleasure of talking to the incredibly bright students from the Enterprise and Stem group at Grieg City Academy about Afrofuturism, Sci Fi and their impact on Tech! I had an absolute blast discussing flying motorbikes & cutting edge stem cell research.

@GCA_Library

GCA_Library

7 months

Thanks to @MariaMotunrayo for her recent visit to inspire our #STEM students about being a writer! Big queue for her book in our library now!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 years

@faridahlikestea This is why there are so many black anime lovers (myself included) it’s not just about seeing black people represented, sometimes you just want mainstream media with no white people. Fact.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

11 months

@Simply_Sayo @GiveBloodNHS So proud of you Sayo😭👏🏾! I’m a regular blood donor too and I wrote a novel about a boy with sickle cell who ✨accidentally✨ unleashes an ancient spirit during a school trip, because I wanted a child with sickle cell to be the centre of an EPIC magical adventure. #BloodDonation

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

If you want kids to go absolutely feral give them glow sticks and then super powers from Orisa mythology. You’re welcome 👏🏾 I had a BLAST today at Wigton Moor Primary & Kerr Mackie Primary School.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

@Jazzy_witch don't blame him! I almost didn't make it

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

Thinking of restarting my relaxed Black girls book club again and this will be the first read! So exciting!🦋

@_shaniakilah

Shani Akilah ✨

5 months

Happy new month! Happy read Caribbean month! And happy PUBLICATION MONTH to me!!! 📚📚 For Such a Time as This will be out on Thursday 20th June! Have you pre-ordered your copy yet? 👀👀 🔗

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Feeling much better today! The writing community is a beautiful thing to be part of, the lonely feeling is always going to be there but so are the genuine friendships between artists. really grateful for everyone who checked in on me & talking it out helped loads!

@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Being a BLACK writer is so lonely, it is the best job ever but I do get down about it sometimes. I spent my entire career in Tech pivoting to companies that were actually diverse and now that I write for a living I'm often the only black + working class person in the room. sigh.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 years

@Iaura__ The ptsd I’m experiencing while watching this....😩😭😭

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Finishing the Kòkú series, getting a Kòkú movie with a soundtrack that features loads of afrobeats & grime artists. Having books in lots of different genres esp Sci-Fi, historical fiction & graphic novels, and having a child dress up as one of my characters for World Book Day🙏🏾

@graceviallwrite

Grace Viall

@graceviallwrite

6 months

My agent asked me an amazing question a while back that's still on my mind, and I'd love to know what everyone else's answer would be: As a writer/author, what would success look like to you? #WritingCommunity #authorscommunity

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

10 months

I cannot express how much I LOVE doing school events and I will be making this a huge focus in 2024 👏🏾✨ I’m a huge talker in general, but I’m incredibly passionate about west African mythology and delivering interactive creative writing workshops🥰

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

2 months

Really enjoyed being invited to Stratford Library the other day for the second time to chat about Matilda, ancient Gods and shape shifting into alligators! Always makes me tear up when I see library versions of the Kòkú books🥹. I’ll be back😉

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

🔥I’m THRILLED to be running a Glow in the Dark workshop on Orisa Mythology at this year’s Free Books Festival. I’ll be speaking from 10:30am-11.30am on Saturday the 20th of July, so make sure you stop by and collect your free SUPERPOWERS!!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

Whenever I pop into a bookstore I always meet my new favourite bookseller! Thanks for the warm welcome @WstoneSheffield 👏🏾✨

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Being a BLACK writer is so lonely, it is the best job ever but I do get down about it sometimes. I spent my entire career in Tech pivoting to companies that were actually diverse and now that I write for a living I'm often the only black + working class person in the room. sigh.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

My heart literally skipped a beat when I watched this for the first time!! 🔥 AMAZING STUFF @HachetteKids

@WaterstonesKids

Waterstones Kids

@WaterstonesKids

1 year

We're super excited that @MariaMotunrayo 's thrilling debut adventure Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight publishes one month today! To celebrate we're thrilled to reveal this exciting trailer, PREORDER your copy here: @HachetteKids

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

3 months

Thank you for this lovely review! I most definitely agree. Lots of high stakes in book 2! And it reads as a standalone as well 👏🏾

@KateHeap1

Kate Heap: Scope for Imagination

3 months

Kòkú Àkànbí is back in a second magical adventure full of ghostly powers, dark demons and a high-stakes quest. Inspired by West African mythology, this is such a unique series that will totally grip readers. @MariaMotunrayo @orionbooks @HachetteKids

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

🚨MEGA DEAL ALERT! You can now purchase the ebook version of Kòku Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight on Amazon for less than a quid, it’s a perfect half term read for adventure lovers aged 9+ 👉🏾

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

Kicked off #WorldBookDay with the lovely teachers and kids at Lea Forest Primary in Birmingham! @lea_forest_curr I had lots of fun chatting about ancient gods, and super powers and Nigerian culture and messing about with glow sticks!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

7 months

⁦ @janerobinson00 ⁩ encouraged my dream into existence. Now I’m paying it forward mentoring an aspiring writer each week. It’s SO fulfilling, I didn’t think I was ready or polished enough, but believing in someone makes a world of difference!!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

5 months

Starting my loc journey with two strand twists. I was initially scared of the so-called “ugly stage” but I now realise that’s just anti-blackness, and I feel great!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Congo is bleeding 🇨🇩We are not free when any woman is unfree even if her shackles are different from our own- Audre Lorde.

@AfricanHub_

African Hub

6 months

A Congolese girl narrates what is happening in Congo Why are people not concerned about Congo as they are for Ukraine, Russia, Israel and Palestine

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Also fun fact, I chose the surname Àkànbí which translates (loosely) as one chosen for a special journey because in an English accent it sounds like I can be. I want every single child to feel like they CAN BE a hero too!

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

7 months

Dear Publishing pls stop imposing your exclusionary views on children as they don’t feel the same way you do, stop gatekeeping literature it’s boring. (5/)

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

I had even more fun meeting you guys! I met lots of budding writers in this group. I can’t wait to see what cool magical ideas you come up with 👏🏾✨

@PlaistowPrimary

Plaistow Primary School

@PlaistowPrimary

4 months

Mian class enjoyed their visit to Stratford library to meet the amazing Maria Motunrayo Adebisi @MariaMotunrayo . They can’t wait to start reading their signed copies of Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight! 📚📚📚

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

From being a bookseller at @WatHarrow to this 😭🙏🏾

@WaterstonesKids

Waterstones Kids

@WaterstonesKids

1 year

From the wonderful @MariaMotunrayo , Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight is the 1st in an exciting new magical fantasy series based on West African mythology. Readers of all ages will be captivated by Koku's adventure, get your copy here: @HachetteKids

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

1 year

Stay tuned for the most 🔥 EPIC🔥 Kòkù Àkànbí Event of the Year🥳 It will feature an interactive FULL CINEMA SCREEN event as well as a reading from me and a Q&A where I will touch on the themes of Belonging, Identity and Sickle Cell. I’m sooooo hyped for this🥹🙌🏾✨

@HachetteSchools

Hachette Schools

@HachetteSchools

1 year

Join @MariaMotunrayo for a very special schools event at @WestNorwoodPH in partnership with @CurriculumBlack , @BooksRound & @darkmattermktg_ Perfect for Year 6 and 7 students, this will be a fun-filled interactive event!🎥📚✨ Find out more:

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

Took myself somewhere sunny and I wrote another chapter of a book I'm both scared to write and VERY excited about. I've been fighting imposters syndrome with this one but I feel like I'm winning the fight. 🥊

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

Actually dying to read this! I’ve been anticipating this book by @ikemoto_m for ages! So excited to dip in

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

I can’t wait to check out all the super cool stories the FAB young authors come up with! Thanks for the invite 🙏🏾

@Lea_Forest_HT

Lea Forest HT 

6 months

All 6 Midlands @AETAcademies schools came together today for our young authors project led by the wonderful @LFP_MissEvans & @MissThompsonAHT & joined by published author @MariaMotunrayo ! @Anglesey_AET @beacon_aet @fourdwellingspa @lea_forest_aet @MontyAcademy @PercyShurmerAET

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

Book Tour Day 2🎉 I’ll be local in Manchester today visiting the local primary schools and I’ll also pop into the indie book stores so say hi if you’re about 🥰👏🏾

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

4 months

Really thought provoking questions by @mirrormewrite about how ancient joint enterprise laws are manipulated to incarcerate young black and brown boys. Amazed by the intensive research by Danielle Jawando into this topic for her novel If My Words Had Wings.

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

I had a fabulous time meeting 6H! Now I know that kids really like the strange super powers from Orisa God Babalu that involves cursing your enemies diseases…but also the ability to heal them 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 terrifyingly terrific stuff!

@CHanley74

Claire Hanley

8 months

6CH had a great session with the author Maria Motunrayo Adebisi. Inspiring the authors of the future!! @Lea_Forest_HT @lea_forest_aet @LFP_DHT_MrW @MariaMotunrayo

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

8 months

So many kids on my #WorldBookDay visits have asked for a FILM of Koku Akanbi, it’s something that is my absolute dream and I know it will happen one day. They’re manifesting with me now! Tweeting so I can repost when it happens🥰

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

7 months

When my novel went on submission, the feedback I got was basically that it was “gibberish” and too difficult to understand, yet I’ve had overwhelming feedback from parents, librarians, booksellers and kids themselves that it’s very accessible to neurodivergent readers. (2/5)

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@MariaMotunrayo

Maria-Motunrayo Ayinke Adebisi🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩✊🏿

@MariaMotunrayo

6 months

I'm unpacking my childhood, and I realise that being raised Evangelical Christian was being raised to be a Zionist who was so grateful that missionaries colonised my people. There are loads of Nigerian children named Israel as a result of this. We need to speak more about it🙏🏾

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