Russian Snows Advances to the Quarter Finals Round of the
2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award Contest
Russian Snows has been entered in the ABNA contest for the third year in a row. 100 entries made it to this round in the Young Adult category. Two Amazon Expert Reviewers had the following to say about the first 5,000 words of Russian Snows which were the basis for the judging for this round:
Amazon Expert Reviewer #1
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
I like the way this historical fiction is framed by the story in the 1860's. LaGrand sounds like a man with a group of brand-new recruits! Clear imagery.
What aspect needs the most work?
Actually very good -- a few minor but pesky editing problems.
What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
Impresses me as more for grades 5-8 than truly YA. Students that age interested in European history will like this.
Amazon Expert Reviewer #2
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
I really think the strength of this excerpt was reflected in how the author could transport us to France during the Napoleonic wars...
Read More What aspect needs the most work?
I think the pacing felt a little rushed at times. The author really sped things up once Luc and Henri were sent to war. I felt like things were almost too hasty...
Read More What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
I liked this excerpt. I loved the period that the author set the story in. I have never read a YA based novel set during the Napoleonic wars and this was quite refreshing. I loved the interaction between Henri and Luc. The brotherly bond was very nicely written and I could feel the various emotions flowing from both characters. Luc's excitement was palpable. He is eager to serve his country and he thinks that war is a way to earn high praise and regard amongst his peers. Henri views it as a death sentence. Which is what it truly is for most of the young boys enlisted.
I also loved that the author threw in a bully that a reader could LOVE to hate with the character of Gaston. I couldn't stand him and I wanted the boys to really stand up to him and make him regret his treatment of them.
Amazon Expert Reviewer #1
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
I like the way this historical fiction is framed by the story in the 1860's. LaGrand sounds like a man with a group of brand-new recruits! Clear imagery.
What aspect needs the most work?
Actually very good -- a few minor but pesky editing problems.
What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
Impresses me as more for grades 5-8 than truly YA. Students that age interested in European history will like this.
Amazon Expert Reviewer #2
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
I really think the strength of this excerpt was reflected in how the author could transport us to France during the Napoleonic wars...
Read More What aspect needs the most work?
I think the pacing felt a little rushed at times. The author really sped things up once Luc and Henri were sent to war. I felt like things were almost too hasty...
Read More What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
I liked this excerpt. I loved the period that the author set the story in. I have never read a YA based novel set during the Napoleonic wars and this was quite refreshing. I loved the interaction between Henri and Luc. The brotherly bond was very nicely written and I could feel the various emotions flowing from both characters. Luc's excitement was palpable. He is eager to serve his country and he thinks that war is a way to earn high praise and regard amongst his peers. Henri views it as a death sentence. Which is what it truly is for most of the young boys enlisted.
I also loved that the author threw in a bully that a reader could LOVE to hate with the character of Gaston. I couldn't stand him and I wanted the boys to really stand up to him and make him regret his treatment of them.
Talk on Russian Snows, writing and Napoleon's Invasion of Russia
at Springer Middle School
I gave a number of presentations on writing and Napoleon's invasion of Russia at Springer Middle School in Wilmington, DE. The first presentation was to the Real Men Read group run by Devearl Royster (pictured at left). I also presented to a number of English classes. The whole day was arranged by my aunt, Tricia Kuhn, who is the Reading Support teacher for the school. I had a great time and fielded some good questions.
November 26, 2012
November 26, 2012
Russian Snows Advances to the Second Round of the
2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award Contest
Russian Snows has been entered into the ABNA contest for the second year in a row. Like last year, it is in the Young Adult part of the contest. On Thursday, it was announced that Russian Snows has made the first cut in which 1,000 submissions are picked from the 5,000 entries. This means 20% of the entrants get to continue in the contest.
My daughter also entered the contest in the same category. Helen's story is called Friends Don't Let Friends Time Travel and it also made the cut to advance to the second round. See the post below on this page called My Daughter Won a Pitch Contest to see her pitch about a different book she wrote, Fifteen.
February 25, 2012
My daughter also entered the contest in the same category. Helen's story is called Friends Don't Let Friends Time Travel and it also made the cut to advance to the second round. See the post below on this page called My Daughter Won a Pitch Contest to see her pitch about a different book she wrote, Fifteen.
February 25, 2012
The story of the writing of Russian Snows is featured on The Book Doctors website
Today, The Book Doctors posted my story on their blog about how I came to write Russian Snows. Not so much about the book itself (although there is the latest "pitch" at the end, it is more a story about the original idea to write a book, how I came up with the topic and why, etc....
Take a look:It began small, as things often do. A line in a dinner conversation which could easily have been swept away in the sometimes lively swirl. My teenage daughter, Helen, the writer in our family, said, “NaNoWriMo is almost here.”
“What’s that?” I asked. Read more here.
February 9, 2012
Take a look:It began small, as things often do. A line in a dinner conversation which could easily have been swept away in the sometimes lively swirl. My teenage daughter, Helen, the writer in our family, said, “NaNoWriMo is almost here.”
“What’s that?” I asked. Read more here.
February 9, 2012
Scott Armstrong featured in "Mona Meets" for Gently Used Books e-newsletter
The February 2012 edition of the Gently Used Bookstore newsletter featured Russian Snows author Scott Armstrong. Here is the beginning of the article:
Looking for something to do with the family this weekend? Or perhaps you're looking for a good adventure story? The answer to both questions may be the work of the same man: Scott Armstrong of North Coventry.
Scott is one of those very busy people who wear two hats: he is the publisher of Parents' Source, the local family activities and resource guide, and he is also an author who recently published his first book: "Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon's Army."
Read the rest of the article ....
Looking for something to do with the family this weekend? Or perhaps you're looking for a good adventure story? The answer to both questions may be the work of the same man: Scott Armstrong of North Coventry.
Scott is one of those very busy people who wear two hats: he is the publisher of Parents' Source, the local family activities and resource guide, and he is also an author who recently published his first book: "Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon's Army."
Read the rest of the article ....
Paris Winter: Fall of the Empire, the Sequel to Russian Snows, was a Winner in the
2011 National Novel Writing Month Challenge
Russian Snows Featured on Two Blog Posts
The book reviewer, Michelle Karas, for our local paper, The Mercury, posted a very nice piece on Russian Snows. You can check it out here.
My daughter has just started a book review blog of her own and has given an unbiased review of Russian Snows as well.
My daughter has just started a book review blog of her own and has given an unbiased review of Russian Snows as well.
Author Scott Armstrong Featured as a Made-it-Moment on Jenny Milchman's Blog
I was featured on Jenny Milchman's blog on the day Russian Snows was released, October 19, 2011. Jenny features writers telling about their Made-it-Moment as a writer. To see my moment, follow this link to Jenny's blog.
Being featured on Jenny's blog was just one of the highlights of the day. One of the others was this great cake at the book launch event.
Being featured on Jenny's blog was just one of the highlights of the day. One of the others was this great cake at the book launch event.
My Daughter Won a Pitch Contest
This post isn't about Russian Snows. My daughter, Helen, is the real writer of the family. She is 15 and has been writing for years. During NaNoWriMo, she wrote a series of stories for her book Fifteen. This past Saturday (6/25/11) we attended a book pitch contest called Pitchapalooza at the Chester County Book and Music Company. Helen blew away the audience and the panelists with her pitch. You can see her performance below.
Eli Ross wrote about Russian Snows on her blog
Russian Snows was Eliminated from the Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award Contest
After making it into the top 250, Russian Snows didn't make the cut for the semi-finalists when the field was reduced to 50 on April 26, 2011. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the excerpt and for all of the positive comments I received.
Here is the review of the full manuscript that was released when the semi-finalists were announced:
ABNA Publisher Weekly Review
In 1811, Henri Carle and his older brother, Luc, are sent off to join Napoleon’s army when their father can no longer afford to feed them. Luc is recruited without incident. Henri, being only 12, is not allowed to officially join the army, but serves in many other small capacities so that he can stay by his brother’s side. Along the route to Paris, the brothers must deal with bullies, thievery, and being accused of desertion. At Camp Arcola, Luc trains and then is officially assigned to an army unit, while Henri is quietly working at a bakery that supplies the soldiers their daily bread. Though the kindly Gerrard family houses Henri, soon he is kicked out of camp and when it is time for Luc and the army to move out, the only way that Henri can accompany them is by joining the teamsters and assisting on the supply train. Details of Henri’s daily life both in camp and on the road with the army are interesting and well researched, but hamper the pacing. When Napoleon decides to invade Russia, the boys must endure a long journey fraught with hunger, weariness, disease, and death. By proving his bravery and loyalty, Henri is both the first Frenchman on enemy soil and after many battles with few survivors, the second to last Frenchman out of Russia. This lengthy historical fiction brings a humanizing perspective to Napoleon’s failed invasion of Russia. The characters, especially Henri, really make this story. It is an interesting time period, but this manuscript really needs to be cut down to a more manageable length.
Here is the review of the full manuscript that was released when the semi-finalists were announced:
ABNA Publisher Weekly Review
In 1811, Henri Carle and his older brother, Luc, are sent off to join Napoleon’s army when their father can no longer afford to feed them. Luc is recruited without incident. Henri, being only 12, is not allowed to officially join the army, but serves in many other small capacities so that he can stay by his brother’s side. Along the route to Paris, the brothers must deal with bullies, thievery, and being accused of desertion. At Camp Arcola, Luc trains and then is officially assigned to an army unit, while Henri is quietly working at a bakery that supplies the soldiers their daily bread. Though the kindly Gerrard family houses Henri, soon he is kicked out of camp and when it is time for Luc and the army to move out, the only way that Henri can accompany them is by joining the teamsters and assisting on the supply train. Details of Henri’s daily life both in camp and on the road with the army are interesting and well researched, but hamper the pacing. When Napoleon decides to invade Russia, the boys must endure a long journey fraught with hunger, weariness, disease, and death. By proving his bravery and loyalty, Henri is both the first Frenchman on enemy soil and after many battles with few survivors, the second to last Frenchman out of Russia. This lengthy historical fiction brings a humanizing perspective to Napoleon’s failed invasion of Russia. The characters, especially Henri, really make this story. It is an interesting time period, but this manuscript really needs to be cut down to a more manageable length.
Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award Contest quarterfinal round
Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon's Army has made it to the quarterfinals in the Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award contest. This round was based on the 5,000 word excerpt of the book and judged by Amazon Editors and Amazon Vine Reviewers. Russian Snows is entered in the Young Adult Fiction category and 250 submissions out of a possible 5,000 are now left in the contest.
In the next round, the judges will read the complete manuscript and pick 50 to continue to the following round. The names of the 50 semifinalists will be released on April 26, 2011.
In the next round, the judges will read the complete manuscript and pick 50 to continue to the following round. The names of the 50 semifinalists will be released on April 26, 2011.
Here is what the Amazon Reviewers had to say about Russian Snows as it moved to the
quarterfinal round:
Feedback Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Reviews
ABNA Expert Reviewer #1
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
Writing is strong, original concept.
What aspect needs the most work?
Interest level in Napoleon for young adults?
What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
I liked it very much, though I am a history buff.
ABNA Expert Reviewer #2
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
I'm a sucker for a good historical novel so this story appealed to me right away. I like the way the author uses the vehicle of a grandfather telling a story to his grandchildren to spin an interesting tale about Napoleon's army.
What aspect needs the most work?
Not a thing that I can see. The author has done a fine job of storytelling with likeable characters and rich visual imagery. What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
I liked it very much and eagerly look forward to reading the entire story at some point in the future (hopefully not too distant).
Updated 3/23/11
ABNA Expert Reviewer #1
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
Writing is strong, original concept.
What aspect needs the most work?
Interest level in Napoleon for young adults?
What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
I liked it very much, though I am a history buff.
ABNA Expert Reviewer #2
What is the strongest aspect of this excerpt?
I'm a sucker for a good historical novel so this story appealed to me right away. I like the way the author uses the vehicle of a grandfather telling a story to his grandchildren to spin an interesting tale about Napoleon's army.
What aspect needs the most work?
Not a thing that I can see. The author has done a fine job of storytelling with likeable characters and rich visual imagery. What is your overall opinion of this excerpt?
I liked it very much and eagerly look forward to reading the entire story at some point in the future (hopefully not too distant).
Updated 3/23/11
Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award Contest First Round
Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon's Army has made the first cut in the Amazon Breakthrough Novelist Award contest. This round was judged based on the 300 word pitch which was written to "sell" the book to the judges. Russian Snows is entered in the Young Adult Fiction category and 1,000 submissions out of a possible 5,000 were selected to continue.
In the next round, the judges will read the 5,000 word excerpt and select 250 to continue to the following round. The names of the 250 will be released on March 22, 2011.
Updated 2/24/11
In the next round, the judges will read the 5,000 word excerpt and select 250 to continue to the following round. The names of the 250 will be released on March 22, 2011.
Updated 2/24/11
The Book Doctors
The pitch for Russian Snows was randomly selected by The Book Doctors for a critique as part of the NaNoWriMo Pitchapalooza's 25 Pitches. See below for the good things they had to say.
Here is the pitch that was entered:
In 1812, Napoleon launched his invasion of Russia with an army of 500,000 men. Only 20,000 survived the devastating campaign to return home. Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon’s Army is the story of the ill-fated invasion as witnessed by 13 year old Henri Carle. Attaching himself to the French army, Henri manages to stay close to his older brother during the buildup and march to Moscow. He ends up in the ranks after the army suffers devastating losses from disease, hunger and battle.
Henri is forced to use his wits, skills and quick thinking to survive. He draws on the lessons he has learned and his own inner strength as he experiences the horrors of battle, the heartbreaking agony of the wounded left behind and the death of those around him. Henri’s story is woven into actual events and incidents from the campaign in this ultimately uplifting adventure that paints a picture of what life was like for the common soldier.
Just in time for the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s invasion, this book will entertain and inform young adult readers. They will identify with Henri as he comes of age and takes on the responsibilities of a man.
Arielle: I think it’s a wonderful idea to portray life for an ordinary soldier in Napoleon’s war through the eyes of a 13-year-old.
David: I know a number of school teachers, and they all complain about how they don’t have enough books that engage kids, while at the same time teaching history. This is a fascinating story about one of the most amazing characters, events and time periods in history, told from a very unique vantage point. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, plugging into a turning point in the world.
Updated 3/11
Here is the pitch that was entered:
In 1812, Napoleon launched his invasion of Russia with an army of 500,000 men. Only 20,000 survived the devastating campaign to return home. Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon’s Army is the story of the ill-fated invasion as witnessed by 13 year old Henri Carle. Attaching himself to the French army, Henri manages to stay close to his older brother during the buildup and march to Moscow. He ends up in the ranks after the army suffers devastating losses from disease, hunger and battle.
Henri is forced to use his wits, skills and quick thinking to survive. He draws on the lessons he has learned and his own inner strength as he experiences the horrors of battle, the heartbreaking agony of the wounded left behind and the death of those around him. Henri’s story is woven into actual events and incidents from the campaign in this ultimately uplifting adventure that paints a picture of what life was like for the common soldier.
Just in time for the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s invasion, this book will entertain and inform young adult readers. They will identify with Henri as he comes of age and takes on the responsibilities of a man.
Arielle: I think it’s a wonderful idea to portray life for an ordinary soldier in Napoleon’s war through the eyes of a 13-year-old.
David: I know a number of school teachers, and they all complain about how they don’t have enough books that engage kids, while at the same time teaching history. This is a fascinating story about one of the most amazing characters, events and time periods in history, told from a very unique vantage point. Like To Kill a Mockingbird, plugging into a turning point in the world.
Updated 3/11
Russian Snows was a Winner in the 2010 National Novel Writing Month Challenge
Learn more about NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/
