Happy Monday Everyone! Join me today for author
Sherry Ellis’ MC Book Tour for her latest release, BUBBA AND SQUIRT’S
MAYAN ADVENTURE.◊ Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press (Sept. 7, 2020)
◊ Print & eBooks
◊ Paperback: 96 pages
◊ ISBN-10: 1939844703
◊ ISBN-13: 978-1939844705
Sherry Ellis is an
award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the
violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis and her family live in Atlanta, Georgia.
I interviewed
Sherry when the first book in this series, Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China,
was released. You can learn more about her by reading that interview.
Hi Sherry! Thanks so much for joining us.
1. Where did you get the idea for Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure?
In 1998, I visited the ruins of Altun Ha in Belize. When I was trying to figure out where Bubba and Squirt should go next, I thought Altun Ha would be perfect. Kids study Mayan culture in school, so this will tie in nicely and help them remember what they learn.
2. I know that this book is part of a series. How have you plotted out your stories as part of a series?
This is a good question. Originally, I was being random about where Bubba and Squirt were going. It was open-ended. It could go on for fifty books, if I wanted it to—like the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborn. But then after talking with the publisher, I decided to make it finite with a plot thread that goes through five books. Bubba and Squirt’s Big Dig to China was a pilot book. Since kids seemed to like it, I wrote Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure. This too, can basically stand alone. But there are some elements in both books that point to what’s ahead. The next three that are planned have more elements of magic and make up a trilogy. I have written the first draft of the third book: Bubba and Squirt’s City of Bones and have almost completed the first draft of the fourth: Bubba and Squirt’s Shield of Athena. The last will be Bubba and Squirt’s Legend of the Lost Pearl. The plot is a little rough still. I have the general roadmap, but the details of how it will unfold are still a mystery. This is unusual for me, since I am a big-time plotter. If I can get it all sorted out, then hopefully, the world will see these final three.
3. This story is set in Belize and involves valuable artifacts. What research did you do and what resources were your favorites?
The best kind of research involves going to the location and learning from the archeologists. That’s exactly what I did for this book. My trip to Belize was a SCUBA diving vacation, but I had the great opportunity to go inland to visit the ruins of Altun Ha which are an active archeological site. That’s when I first learned of the artifacts. Of course, I read many books to refresh my memory of what I’d seen. One book I found helpful is Ancient Mayan Civilization by Nancy Day.
4. How are you planning to promote your book given COVID-19? What advice do you have for other authors whose books are being released during these trying times?
Another good question! Most of what I’m doing is online. I have this blog tour and a blog hop. I’m also contacting libraries and schools to offer online Skype presentations. Several of my friends also have releases this year, so we’re thinking about doing a book signing at a park or having a Zoom interview where all of us meet and are available to answer questions from readers. If any writers out there who have releases this year want to set something up like this, let me know. You can contact me through my website at www.sherryellis.org.
Thanks for sharing all your advice, Sherry!
Thank you for having me as a guest!
You can also follow Sherry’s
tour for more information and chances to enter by visiting the following sites:Alex J. Cavanaugh - Guest Post
Tuesday, Sept. 15 - Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews - Interview
Wednesday, Sept. 16 - The Story of a Writer - Review
Thursday, Sept. 17 - Book Reviews by Pat Garcia - Review
Friday, Sept. 18 - Booked Solid with Virginia C - Feature
Rockin' Book Reviews - Review & Top Ten List
Monday, Sept. 21 - Just Jemi - Review & Interview
Anna del C. Dye Official Page - Excerpt
Tuesday, Sept. 22 - Baroness' Book Trove - Review
Saturday, Sept. 26 - Storeybook Reviews - Excerpt
Monday, Sept. 28 - Elizabeth Spann Craig's Blog - Guest Post
Joylene Nowell Butler - Excerpt
Journaling Woman - Feature
Wednesday, Sept. 30 - Nesie's Place - Excerpt
Friday, Oct. 2 - Thoughts in Progress - Review
Monday, Oct. 5 - The Sexy Nerd "Revue" - Excerpt
Wednesday, Oct. 7 - Willow Writes and Reads - Review
Friday, Oct. 9 - Celticlady's Reviews - Excerpt
Monday, Oct. 12 - Literary Rambles - Interview
Wednesday, Oct. 14 - Writer's Gambit - Feature & Top 10 List
It's always interesting to learn behind-the-scenes information about how a book came to be and why. Natalie, thanks so much for being a part of Sherry's tour and sharing this.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Sherry is doing a great job getting the word out about the new book, during these challenging times.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth! I'm very grateful for the blog community and all of the support they've given during the book launch!
DeleteThank you for being part of my book tour! Your questions, as always are great, and give readers a good behind-the-scenes look of how a book comes to be.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting Sherry and her new book. I'm looking forward to the other three.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this book, especially the length, as not all young MG readers are ready for the typical 300 page experience. Thanks also for the revealing interview with Sherry.
ReplyDeleteThank, Greg! I hope that reluctant readers find the short length appealing.
DeleteVortexes and adventure—sounds exciting. And it’s great that the author was able to infuse her story with real experience. I’ll have check it out. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by!
DeleteThoroughly enjoyed the interview with Sherry about her new book. I've read several reviews, and I must say this is going on my list of books to read. Love the culture, so I'd enjoy learning more! Like the research Sherry put into this.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear that Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure is going on your list of books to read! Thank you! Yes, it took a lot of research to write the book. But it was all very interesting for me.
DeleteI think we (as a culture) have kind of gotten away from the whole open-ended series, and most things have a story arc. So, nice to see that this has a conclusion in mind, eventually. (And I bet it could go longer if needed ;)
ReplyDeleteIt could go longer, but I'm satisfied with the way the story arc is going.
DeleteTerrific interview. Thanks for that. It's a cute book. I'll pass on the drawing since I have already read it. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and for reading Bubba and Squirt's Mayan Adventure!
DeleteGreat interview! Congratulations to Sherry!
ReplyDeleteOn the note of book tours and COVID, I just discovered a new and interesting venue in my local area. One of the restaurants is only open for take-out (even though technically, dining inside is an option for small groups), but they opened a section of their dining area for socially distant art/book shows. Authors and artists set up their work one one to three tables, and sit at a small table. There are masks and sanitizer there (required for the restaurant anyway). The artist is sitting back behind a rope-type barrier (think movie theater line type) so everyone is socially distant, and the place is well-ventilated. It's interesting because it's a way the restaurant is giving back to the community while still following all of the CoVID restrictions and being cautious. Artists and authors can showcase their work without going to a big event, and they are rotating authors and artists once a week during lunch and dinner hours.
That's really nice! I don't know of any restaurants open to do that in my area. I should research that and see what I can find. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI've heard a ton about this book, and it sounds great! I love that Ellis has most of her series planned out in advance—some book series I read don't seem to be planned ahead at all, so they drag on and on and nothing happens in any of the books. I'm glad that won't be the case with this series! Thank you for the wonderful interview! (P.S. I look forward to your interview with Lily LaMotte—I preordered Measuring Up a few months ago!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by! It took a lot of thinking, but I'm happy that the general story arc is figured out. Now for the details...
DeleteThis sounds like such a great series! I can see it really appealing to MG readers. And the curriculum tie-in is great too. So cool that Sherry based her book on her own trip to Belize.
ReplyDeleteIt's always great when an author can tie in personal experiences in their writing. It makes it so much more real. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI am wishing Sherry great success with her newest Bubba and Squirt book! Her first B&S book reminded me of The Magic Treehouse series, with Bubba and Squirt being just a little older than Jack and Annie ~ also funnier. I finally received my copy of their Mayan Adventure, and I am looking forward to curling up in bed and reading it shortly. all the best to you both, Sherry and Natalie!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate all of your support on this tour!
DeleteAncient civilizations make for great reading.
ReplyDeleteThey sure do! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThis would be right up my alley I love history and historic anything appreciate your efforts.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post today, sounds good!
ReplyDeletethe mayans said the world was ending in 2012 and they where wrong
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to Sherry!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, ladies. Wishing much success to Sherry.
ReplyDeleteHave been a follower of Sherry's for quite a while, a good blogger and author,
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
So happy for Sherry!
ReplyDeletegreat interview - thanks for sharing Sherry!
ReplyDelete