Bryn Pottie - How to Not Borrow A Ship - Author of The Great Lunenburglary

From Episode 113 of Afternoon Pint - Summarized by Buzzsprout's Cohost AI

In "The Great Lunenburglary," author Bryn Pottie takes readers on a delightful journey through 1920s Nova Scotia, crafting a comedy caper that centers around teenagers stealing the iconic Blue Nose schooner. The novel represents Pottie's debut as a solo author, following an impressive career that spans sketch comedy, slam poetry, and television writing. Having received praise from notable Canadian comedians and writers like Leslie Choice and Bob Kerr, this maritime comedy brings a fresh perspective to historical fiction by injecting it with contemporary humor.

The setting of 1920s Lunenburg provides a perfect backdrop for Pottie's storytelling. As he explained on the Afternoon Pint Up podcast, setting the story in this era gave him creative freedom to craft a "cartoon world" where anything could happen. The novel features bootleggers, radio hosts, and thrash fiddle musicians (the 1920s equivalent of thrash metal), creating an environment rich with comedic potential. Pottie's experience working on other period pieces, including an unproduced Audible series about Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, helped prepare him for writing in this historical context.

What makes this book particularly accessible is Pottie's intentional approach to the writing style. He wanted to create something that "somebody who has read like five books since high school" could pick up, enjoy, and not feel intimidated by. This accessibility, combined with his background in comedy, results in a novel that balances historical elements with contemporary humor. The book includes delightful chapter titles and passages that showcase Pottie's comedic voice, such as a character who is nostalgic for the 1890s music scene, comparing songs like "I've Been Working on the Railroad" to contemporary hits.

Pottie's diverse background significantly influences his writing style. His experience as a closed captioner and video describer helped him develop skills in providing necessary visual information to readers. As he mentioned, when writing the book, he often asked himself, "What visual information would a reader need for this?" This attention to detail ensures readers can fully visualize the historic setting of Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site with rich architectural features and stunning visuals.

For readers interested in Canadian comedy and literature, "The Great Lunenburglary" offers a unique entry point into Nova Scotian culture and history. The book officially launched on June 12, 2023, at the Lunenburg Academy, with additional readings scheduled throughout the summer. Pottie's advice to fellow creators—"Nobody cares as much about what you're doing as you do"—reflects his grounded approach to writing and promotion. This debut novel represents not just a humorous tale about stealing a famous schooner, but also showcases the potential for comedy to bring historical settings to life in unexpected ways.