Mama Diaries

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Where in the World Blog Fest and IWSG

Today is the big day! The release of my new book, Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China! It has taken ten long years to finally see it in print. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we're having a party. A Where in the World Blog Fest.    





Participants will answer the following question: If you could go through the Earth and end up in another country, where would you go?

I would go to New Zealand. I've heard it's amazingly beautiful. Since I enjoy hiking and nature, I'm sure I would have a great time there. If I could, I'd get on a boat and take a little side trip to Australia. I would like to see a concert at the Sydney Opera House, dive the Great Barrier Reef, and hold a koala bear. All those things are on my bucket list. My plan is to visit both of those places for my fiftieth birthday. What about you? Where would you like to go?




Page Count: 93 
Digital Price: 3.99 
Print Price: 7.95

BUY LINKS:

BLURB: 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?



About the Author: 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, her husband, and their two children live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Author Links:

Here's the other participants if you'd like to read their answers:
<!-- end LinkyTools script –>


I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for all of their support through the years. All of the wonderful comments, all the visits to other blogs where I've been a guest, and sharing news about my book releases on social media. You are all amazing! I feel so fortunate to be part of such a caring and supportive community! 


Speaking of supportive groups, it's time for the IWSG monthly post.

This month's question is, Which path to publishing have you used and why? I have used both traditional and self-publishing options. Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China is traditionally published. This is my preferred choice. I held out for so long because I really wanted to see it published that way. Self-publishing is fine, but you really have to rely on your own marketing efforts and the help of friends to share the news. It's also rather expensive. Yes, you control everything and keep all profits, but I think when you have a traditional publishing house behind you, you can reach more people and potentially sell more books.

What about you? Do you have a preferred publishing path?

And lastly, I am a guest on  the Hands-On-Book Blog. If you have a moment, please stop by and visit.

Thanks so much for visiting during the Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China book birthday celebration!

52 comments:

  1. Hi, Sherry!

    This is indeed an exciting day for you and for us as your new book Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China! is released, soon to find its way into the homes, minds and hearts of young readers everywhere. I am very happy for you, dear friend!

    A few years ago, I had a blog friend in Perth, Australia, who took a trip to New Zealand. The pictures she posted there were spectacular, exactly as you suggested. The mountains are majestic, the woods and streams pristine and the cities and towns clean, charming and inviting. Therefore New Zealand is also on my list of most desirable destinations along with Australia, Tasmania (located off the southern tip of Australia), Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

    Ten years in the making, Bubba and Squirt's Big Dig to China! will surely benefit from the traditional publishing route you chose. I wish you great success with you latest labor of love, dear friend Sherry!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for all of your supportive comments. I'm very excited about the release of this one!

      I hope I do get to see New Zealand. It will be the trip of a lifetime!

      Delete
  2. That will be my choice as well! New Zealand is so cool. And no deadly animals.
    Congratulations on the new release. I'd rather have a publisher backing me as well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats on the release. New Zealand would be nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! If I ever get to New Zealand, I'll share pictures.

      Delete
  4. Congrats on the publication of your long awaited book Sherry, how proud you must feel. Good luck with your blogest.
    I fell in love with America on my many visits to your country and would dearly love to travel again to your wonderful country.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed your stay in the United States. It's a nice country!

      Delete
  5. Congrats!! And it would be fun to visit New Zealand and Australia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that was a popular choice in this blogfest.

      Delete
  6. Yahoo, Sherry! The big day has finally arrived for you.
    Ten years is a long time to wait for a publisher, and I commend you for holding out. Wishing you continued success.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I bet Bubba bragged about this all day today at school :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He told one of his teachers who knows someone in the library system. Maybe I'll get a library signing out of it. :)

      Delete
  8. A publisher backing is nice to have indeed. Sounds like a fine way to celebrate 50. Congrats on having it released after 10 years!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I have to do something big for 50. Visiting New Zealand sounds like just the thing.

      Delete
  9. A traditional publisher used to be seen as good but nowadays as long as the product-book-is good it will sell.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes. You definitely need a good product. And you need to know how to reach your target market. If you have a lot of energy and a lot of time, you can sell copies yourself.

      Delete
  10. Congratulations on the book!
    I'd also love to visit NZ; so many places, so little money though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish cost wasn't a factor. Then I think we'd all be able to see more of the world.

      Delete
  11. Congrats on your new book! I agree with you on the benefits of traditional publishing though it's great to have options.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad there is an self-publishing option, otherwise many of us would not see our work in print.

      Delete
  12. Congratulations! I'd love to go to New Zealand too. Have a great week! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. CONGRATULATIONS on the release of your newest book. It sounds absolutely fantastic, and I'm afraid you may have a real hit on your hands with that series. I certainly hope so.

    If I were to dig a hole through the earth, I'd want to crawl out of it in Australia. (Perhaps we can meet at the Opera House?) The scenery, wildlife, and flowers there are absolutely gorgeous. Plus: bonus! I've got a bunch of blogging pals Down Under, too. We could get together for a bite of lunch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to meet you in Australia. Along with all the other bloggers who are there. Maybe we can have a blogger party! :)

      Delete
  14. Many congratulations on your launch! I'm sure this book is going to be a hit.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yippee and congrats! We had an opportunity to go to New Zealand for free. They're ACTIVELY recruiting programmers (points at hubby), and they were willing to fly people out just to try and hook them. The sad thing is, they don't pay enough to counteract the cost of living, so we weren't interested in the end result and decided not to go. But, we could have. One day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be cool to live there for a while. I hadn't thought about the cost of living there. It sounds expensive.

      Delete
  16. New Zealand is a place I would love to go to as well...after a trip to Ireland. :)

    Congrats on Bubba and Squirt! I wish you all the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ireland would be an interesting place to see. My mom went there. Be prepared for a cold and damp climate if you go!

      Delete
  17. Congrats, Sherry! You’re just amazing! If I’ve to go to another part of the world, I’d pick Egypt. Love to see the Sphinx & Pyramids before they’re gone! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Egypt would be great to see. I hope those things remain for a long time!

      Delete
  18. Congratulations--I am sure I'd love New Zealand and I want to one day take the train across Australia... the vastness of the country intrigues me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd like to see the Aborigine cave paintings, too!

      Delete
  19. OMGosh, I missed it! Happy belated book birthday! I'm so excited for you. I loved the sound of this one when I first heard about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sheri! And you didn't miss anything. The party was going all week. :)

      Delete
  20. Oh Wow !! How nice, I always knew that you are a wonderful mom, but this is great. Congratulations, every writer specially the ones that are published have earned continuous blessings.
    I might just want to see China. The country fascinates me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. China is a fascinating place. So much history there!

      Delete
  21. New Zealand would be cool. I'd go to Japan!

    Grats on the new release. I think it'll be a fun read with my kiddos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Japan is a great place, too. If the Bubba and Squirt series continues, that's one place I'll have them visit.

      Delete
  22. Congrats Sherry! I am so happy and proud of you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your book idea is fantastic. I remember thinking I could dig a hole to China--I guess I saw it in a cartoon or maybe kids instinctively have this theory ingrained within them.

    A magic portal to New Zealand would be nice. I doubt whether I'll ever get there in my lifetime, but who knows--maybe I'll win a trip or something.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are so many places I'd like to see, but I'm going to try to make New Zealand a priority.

      Delete
  24. I would love to visit New Zealand too! The Great Barrier Reef is on Bucket List.

    Congrats on your Book Birthday and release. So happy for you that you are following your publishing dream. Best of luck!
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh, my! Bubba and Squid are on an adventure of their lifetimes!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Sherry!

    If you are ever in NZ and Australia, you can't miss Fiji! Its another dot in the Pacific Ocean near to both! And I live here!

    I've been to both Australia and New Zealand. Both places are fabulous but I love my Fiji!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Figi sounds fantastic, too! Maybe I'll just make a long vacation and see it all. :) So cool that you live in Fiji!

      Delete