Author Q&A: Scott Bury

Today we're interviewing Scott Bury, an award-winning author, editor and journalist based in Ottawa, Canada.

Army of Worn Soles is the first volume of The Eastern Front Trilogy, the true story of a Canadian drafted into the Soviet Red Army during the Second World War. 

While prices on all his books are reduced until the pandemic ends, 100% of revenues from sales of Army of Worn Soles, Under the Nazi Heel, Walking Out of War and the collected Eastern Front Trilogy will go to Ukrainian refugee support until all Ukrainians can return home safely.

SADYE: What have been the most surprising, rewarding, and challenging parts of your writing career?

SCOTT: The most surprising and rewarding part of my writing career is meeting so many other writers who share so many of the same challenges, ideas and values—and the thrill of discovering that people read and enjoy our books. 

SADYE: What has been the most touching or memorable piece of reader feedback you’ve received? 

SCOTT: Two stand out: Seeing a lady reading one of my books on the bus; and a review of Army of Worn Soles by a Ukrainian-Canadian in Quebec, who offered me vodka if we were ever to meet. 

SADYE: What message or theme would you like readers to take away from your work?

SCOTT: That history is both complex and intimate. 

SADYE: What advice, as relates to your writing career, would you give your younger self? 

SCOTT: Write now, write every day, and don’t procrastinate because you think you aren’t good enough.

SADYE: What experience in your past or general aspect of your life has most affected your writing? 

SCOTT: It was meeting my father-in-law and the subject of Army of Worn Soles, Maurice Bury.

I was astounded to learn that he was born in Montreal, yet drafted into the Soviet Red Army just in time for Germany’s invasion.

His stories and lessons from his experiences not only inspired the books, but also inspired a desire to learn more of the little-known, yet crucially important facts of history. 

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Learn more about Scott Bury on his website, where his books can also be purchased; like his page on Facebook; and follow him on Twitter and Instagram. 

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