Author Natalie Sue’s first novel found its inspiration in Calgary’s Crown prosecutor’s office

Ian White speaks to Calgary author Natalie Sue, whose debut novel I Hope This Finds You Well won the 2025 Leacock Medal for Humour.

Author Natalie Sue may have set her first novel, I Hope This Finds You Well, in the “western regional office of Supershops Incorporated,” but she’s frank about where she got the inspiration for it.

“It was the Crown prosecutor’s office in Calgary,” Sue told CTV News Calgary.

“Because it’s the government, there’s a disclaimer that says nothing you say is truly all that private, and that’s sort of what gave me the idea for the novel.

“Who could be the wrong person to read them? And that’s where the idea sprung from.”

This week, Sue won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.

The book is based in Calgary, although Sue says office humour is universal.

“Any forced proximity of people that would never choose each other is such good fodder for comedy,” she said.

“Especially offices, I find, are so universal worldwide. And it’s nice to have a little bit of Calgary rep out there.”