SHERRY ELLIS INTERVIEW AND BUBBA AND SQUIRT’S BIG DIG TO CHINA

Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have author Sherry Ellis here to share about her new MG BUBBA AND SQUIRT’S BIG DIG TO CHINA. It sounds like a great book for younger MG readers with its short chapters and fast-paced plot.

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads: 

You can’t dig a hole to China!

Squirt doesn’t believe Bubba can dig a hole to China. But when the hole swallows them, the kids find themselves in Xi’an, China, surrounded by Terracotta Warriors.

It gets worse when the ghost of the first emperor of China appears. He tells them they can’t go home until they find his missing pi. The kids don’t know where to begin until they meet a girl and her grandmother who promise to help find the pendant.

Soon they realize they are being followed. And they are no closer to finding the missing pi. Will Bubba and Squirt ever make it back home?

Hi Sherry! Thanks so much for joining us.

Hi, Natalie! Thanks for having me here today.

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer. 

I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I never thought I’d be a published author. The journey started about fourteen years ago, when my daughter was three years old. Her little brother was a terrible sleeper who kept the family up all night. While I was sitting in the rocking chair during those long nights, I came up with a story:  That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN! I shared it with my daughter who thought it was good enough to be a book. That got my wheels turning, and the rest is history.

2. Where did you get your idea for BUBBA AND SQUIRT’S BIG DIG TO CHINA?

When I was a kid, I tried to dig a hole to China. Since I lived in Florida at the time, I got nothing but a hole full of water. But I wondered, what could happen if you were able to dig one? Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China explores the possibility.

3. What a fun way to come up with the idea for a book. I love that this is set in Xi’an China because I’m pretty sure my daughter and I went there on a heritage tour of China. What research did you have to do into this location and historical time? 

I knew about the Terracotta Warriors and thought it would be cool to have Bubba and Squirt see them as they emerged from the hole. As far as research goes, I went to the library and read a lot of books about the warriors, Emperor Ch’in Shi Huang-ti, China, and its culture. My mom had taken a trip to Xi’an in 2007. I looked at all her pictures and asked questions about her experience there. By putting it all together, I was able to create the story.   

4. Awesome that your mom went there. Your book has been described as a page turner. Share your tips on how you plotted this out and how you were able to tell a complete story with shorter chapters. 

As I outline a story and do the research, I think about what kind of interesting things can happen in each chapter. I always end the chapter with a cliff-hanger, so readers will want to keep going. My publishing experience has been in writing picture books. When you write those, it’s important to consider every word and tell the story in as few words as possible. So, writing a short story really wasn’t a problem for me. I have more trouble writing longer novels.

5. I agree with you that every word counts in a picture book. I'd have a hard time with that. What was a challenge you faced in writing this story? How did you overcome it? 

Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China takes place in a period of less than twelve hours. The challenge was to come up with enough interesting material to create the story as well as allow readers to get to know and connect with Bubba and Squirt. To overcome these challenges, I had to create subplots and a back story as well as give the characters quirky, distinctive personalities.

6. I believe that you signed your book contract with Dancing Lemur Press through a Twitter contest. Share how your book deal came about. 

Yes. I participated in a Twitter pitch sponsored by the Insecure Writers Support Group. I hadn’t been

submitting the manuscript because I had been working on other picture books. When I saw the pitch, I decided to jump in and see what would happen. Dancing Lemur Press liked my pitch. Following submission instructions, I sent the manuscript. The publisher liked the story but had some suggestions for making it better. I rewrote some things and added a subplot, which gave it more depth. I resubmitted, and it was accepted!

7. For anyone that does not know about The Insecure Writer's Support Group, this is a great resource for you. This is not your first book. Tell us about your writing and publishing career so far. 

My first picture book was published in 2005. Since then, I’ve had three others: That Mama is a Grouch, Ten Zany Birds, and Don’t Feed the Elephant (also released this year). Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China is my first middle-grade book. 

8. How are you promoting this book? What have you learned about publishing over the years from publishing your other books? 

Right now, I’m doing a lot of online promotion, using social media and blog visits. Stage two will be library, bookstore, and school visits. I have found that in-person visits for children’s books works best for getting the word out. I’m hoping to get some good reviews which will also spark some interest. It’s like running a marathon. You can’t peeter out the week after your book is released!

9. What are you working on now? 

I’m working on a possible second book of Bubba and Squirt’s adventures:  Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Treasure. The first draft has been written. Now I’m revising. I’m hoping the first book does well, so that we can have a second. Or more!

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Sherry. You can find Sherry at Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Blog, Website, Amazon Author Page.

Sherry's publisher has generously offered a hardback of BUBBA AND SQUIRT'S BIG DIG TO CHINA for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower (just click the follow button if you’re not a follower) and leave a comment through November 3rd. If your e-mail is not on your Google Profile, you must leave it in the comments to enter either contest.

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog, mention this in the comments and I'll give you an extra entry. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This giveaway is U.S.

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog.

Here's what's coming up:

Monday, October 29th I have an agent spotlight interview with Wendi Gu and a query critique giveaway

Wednesday, November 7th I have an interview with Melanie Crowder and a giveaway of her MG fantasy THE LIGHTHOUSE BETWEEN THE WORLDS and my IWSG post

Monday, November 12th I have an interview with debut author Melanie Sumrow and a giveaway of her MG contemporary THE PROPHET CALLS

Wednesday, November 14th I'm participating in the Gratitude Giveaway Hop

Monday, November 19th I have an interview with debut author Megan England and a giveaway of her YA space opera THE DISASTERS

Monday, November 26th I have an agent spotlight interview with Weronika Janczuk and a query critique giveaway

Hope to see you on Monday!