Karen Dove Barr's first novel, Burnt Pot Island, was published in November 2021 and answers the question of what life was like on Skidaway Island one hundred years ago when the island was a hotbed of moonshiners and rum-runners. She told us about the hurricane of 1890 that wiped out everyone who was living on Skidaway Island.  After the hurricane, moonshiners came in and the area became even more popular with residents during prohibition.  Through her research from city council minutes and Savannah morning news archives, Karen discovered that the Mayor of Savannah actually owned Burnt Pot Island in 1908.  Karen was a great story teller and we all enjoyed listening to her discuss her writing process for this book. 

 

Burnt Pot Island is told from the viewpoint of an African-American mother and daughter who struggle to achieve freedom and preserve family. The novel ends with a hard-earned expression of hope for their future. Although the characters are fictional, the events and details are based on extensive historical research.  Burnt Pot Island is sold locally at E Shaver Bookseller and Barnes & Noble.  The book can also be purchased on Amazon.