Artistic Collaborations
Sand Writers have published 4 themed collections, Elemental-Earth, Water, Air, Fire (2024) Fleurieu Past & Present (2021), Home (2019) and Thin Air (2018).
Collaborations with local artists at The Stationmaster Gallery (Strathalbyn) and Art@Goolwa (Goolwa) has produced a rich eclectic collection of stories, artworks, photographs, poems and essays. Exploring the natural world and contemporary themes, these elegant anthologies share new perspectives and celebrates creative endeavour.
Copies can be purchased for $25.00 by contacting the Sand Writers through the CONTACT tab above.
Collaborations with local artists at The Stationmaster Gallery (Strathalbyn) and Art@Goolwa (Goolwa) has produced a rich eclectic collection of stories, artworks, photographs, poems and essays. Exploring the natural world and contemporary themes, these elegant anthologies share new perspectives and celebrates creative endeavour.
Copies can be purchased for $25.00 by contacting the Sand Writers through the CONTACT tab above.
Elemental - Earth Water Air FireIn this collection of stories, paintings, poems, photographs and essays, the forces of nature, and human connections to earth, water, air and fire, are explored. Thought-provoking words and evocative images celebrate simple natural wonders and sometimes commiserate rapidly shrinking habitats.
Here, the Sand Writers and artists from the Stationmaster's Art Gallery in Strathalbyn creatively intertwine to capture the coasts and landscapes, the flora and fauna. As well as bushfires, heatwaves, storms and floods- elements we sometimes curse. Jude Aquilina, Editor |
Fleurieu Past & Present
The Fleurieu Peninsula is Adelaide's southern playground, place of beaches, wineries, wildlife, forests and fine foods. It is the ancestral home of the Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna and Peramangk people and remains rich is culture and natural beauty. Discover the wonders, the colours, the history and the undercurrents of a place that most South Australians know as the honeymoon and school holidays capital of the state. Thin Air Like the ephemeral art the tide paints on the shore, fleeting brushstrokes, word-scapes and shutter breaths of Fleurieu creators have been captured in Thin Air. Enjoy a journey through the eyes and minds of the people who live or practice their artform on the hilly peninsula on the Southern Ocean; where the beaches, rivers and lakes provide an abundance of inspiration, wildlife and natural beauty. Glimpse here a verbal and visual fusion, an eddying of ideas and threads. The project culminated in significant multi-art medium launch at Signal Point showcasing some of the creativity of the Fleurieu as inspired by the natural environment and community spirit of the region. Thin Air launch |
Home
'Home is where one starts from' TS Eliot. What does it mean to you? The word inspires a rich diversity of thought, and in this edition our writers take you on a courageous and profound journey through many homes: past and present, idyllic and challenging. Stories and poems which are sometimes daunting, yet written fluently, with great wit and encouragement. Their straight up simplicity veils depth and poignancy. Our writers hop with sprightly omniscience from the present to the past and back again. These works show great honesty and the exhilarating visual arts capture every mood. Come with us on an extraordinary journey...... |
Speak Out
Sand Writers has published seven Speak Out volumes. Each is a collection of original works by members including reviews, feature articles and invited contributions.
No 7 April 2018 100p
Available to purchase - $10 Contact us to arrange payment and delivery. |
No 6 April 2017 100p
Available to purchase - $10 Contact us to arrange payment and delivery. |
No 5 April 2016 124p
Available to purchase - $10 Contact us to arrange payment and delivery. |
Vol 1 No 4 April 2015 112p
Available to purchase - $10 Contact us to arrange payment and delivery. |
Vol 1 No 1 July 2012 28p
Vol 1 No 2 February 2013 36p Vol 1 No 3 December 2013 76p (out of print) |
There's No Planet B E Book through Amazon
This anthology is a collection of pieces written to stimulate discussion … and action. Some pieces are intentionally light-hearted, some are serious essays but all are intended to create new thinking in a positive framework. You will find some poetry, some prose covering a diversity of topics. All reflect the passion of the authors to join the growing army of people who want to see a reversal of the desperate trends occurring right now. There’s No Planet B will challenge you, stimulate you, encourage you and empower you to contribute to a better world for future generations.
Sand Writers have decided that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this e-book will be donated to environmental groups working to revegetate areas that have been impacted by recent bushfires in South Australia.
E book available through Amazon for both Kindle and Android formats for $4.99.
Sand Writers have decided that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this e-book will be donated to environmental groups working to revegetate areas that have been impacted by recent bushfires in South Australia.
E book available through Amazon for both Kindle and Android formats for $4.99.
Member's Publications
Steve Bell
Seven Summits
The quest to reach the highest point on every continent.
Travel with dedicated mountaineers as they climb the "Seven Summits"—the highest peak of each of the seven continents. Stunning full-colour photographs capture the breath taking scenery and courageous athleticism of the climbers. A compilation of assays and diaries of mountaineers, along with striking photos, capture these harrowing adventures and take readers to each of the Seven Summits: McKinley (North America), Aconcagua (South America), Vinson (Antarctica), Kilmanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Kosciuszko (Australia), and Everest (Asia). Convened and edited by Steve Bell. Published in five countries in four languages.
View on Amazon
The quest to reach the highest point on every continent.
Travel with dedicated mountaineers as they climb the "Seven Summits"—the highest peak of each of the seven continents. Stunning full-colour photographs capture the breath taking scenery and courageous athleticism of the climbers. A compilation of assays and diaries of mountaineers, along with striking photos, capture these harrowing adventures and take readers to each of the Seven Summits: McKinley (North America), Aconcagua (South America), Vinson (Antarctica), Kilmanjaro (Africa), Elbrus (Europe), Kosciuszko (Australia), and Everest (Asia). Convened and edited by Steve Bell. Published in five countries in four languages.
View on Amazon
Virgin on Insanity
A compelling coming-of-age memoir about a young man's quest for self-worth. 'For those looking to find an escape while locked away on a winter's day, this masterful tale will whisk you far from your reading chair.' Wild.com [Steve Bell's] exceptionally well-crafted writing is a gripping, frank and uncanny journey through his extraordinary early life.' UK Climbing.com View on Amazon More about Steve's profile and for his website and blog: Stevebellwords |
Rose Boswell |
Patchwork : A Life |
Rose was born into the lucky generation – a time of relative material ease beyond the degrading poverty of the Great Depression and the atrocities of the last global war. Following an atypical childhood, she came of age in the seventies when social revolution and university profoundly shaped her life, propelling her into the counterculture, feminist activism and an Eastern spiritual quest. Against the backdrop of a new enlightenment, children, divorces and an ongoing search for love, Rose crafts a composite whole – a quilt stitched one patch at a time.
These pages reveal more than Rose's past. They illuminate the roller coaster ride of the Boomer generation, told with honesty and an engagingly heartfelt personal voice.
Rose's profile here.
These pages reveal more than Rose's past. They illuminate the roller coaster ride of the Boomer generation, told with honesty and an engagingly heartfelt personal voice.
Rose's profile here.
Margaret Clark |
Frayed Edges'Margaret Clark’s poetry moves comfortably between cosy domesticity, family relationships, art, religion and occasionally politics. She finds inspiration in simple things (a walk in the park, coffee with friends, domestic chores) which reminds me to look for the poetry in the everyday. The metaphor is wielded with aplomb (Scotland and England as a dysfunctional couple, a mountain range as a sleeping serpent) and the love and respect she has for Australia’s impressive landscape is evident in poems such as “October Storm” and “Namatjira’s Way”.
These are straightforward, straight-talking nuggets of joy and wisdom and although Clark is not afraid to tackle the bigger issues, the pages twinkle delightfully with her quirky sense of humour’. Alison Flett Scottish Poet and Mentor Tourist or Pilgrim?'Margaret’s vocabulary, refreshingly devoid of the merest hint of pomposity, her subtlety, gentleness of expression, humour and perception combine wonderfully. Her use of conversational language with her delightful rhythm and pace is special, Her poems resonate with the reader personally. Her sense of irony, indeed her quirky view of life, and her rare ability to move the reader from warm chuckles, a burst of giggles, the odd guffaw, to a sudden, surprising, a low slide of
Her poems are very much a modern woman’s life story. They are enhanced by her delightful sense of humour, humility and a complete absence of pretentiousness or arrogance. She gives voice to the thoughts of us less talented individuals. For this we can only say thank you.' Frank Brennan Dip T, B. Ed. Superintendent of Education NT (retired) Till We Dance Together'I found it hard to put it down. The words flow. ‘Feelings’ that undergird the Christian faith come to the surface and are given expression. For example the mixed feelings about Jesus in that first Holy Week come out so well in ‘A week is a long time in politics.’ Margaret is creative, has a sharp mind and a keen sense of humour. This book is not one that I would read cover to cover as I would a novel or a biography. It is one I would dip into. An excellent resource and an excellent gift. I commend ‘Till we dance together’ to you.' Rev Canon Ron Bundy
Books from the author at $20.00 or $22.50 from Ginninderra Press. Till We Dance Together from the author at $15.00. Contact [email protected] Margaret's profile here |
Penny Gerner
Summer's End - The Amoora Trilogy |
Haven |
Short Circuit
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Forked Lighting
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Appearing in 2006 Anne's Holiday is a recollection of summer holidays at Narooma, NSW. Two years later in 2008 Return to Amoora came out and then Summer’s End in 2012 which combined with the two earlier Amoora books, became The Amoora Trilogy.
Moving to Batemans Bay, NSW in 2010 she began writing short stories and poetry. Two books of short stories: Short Circuit and Forked Lightning followed in 2014 and 2018. Penny then wrote Haven, a novella in 2021.
Now living in Port Elliot, she became a member of Sand Writers in 2022, in Goolwa, SA.
This collection is a selection of the range of her writing and it is enhanced by her husband Pem’s beautiful illustrations and some personal photographs. The cover was from her original pastel painting.
Penny's Profile here.
Moving to Batemans Bay, NSW in 2010 she began writing short stories and poetry. Two books of short stories: Short Circuit and Forked Lightning followed in 2014 and 2018. Penny then wrote Haven, a novella in 2021.
Now living in Port Elliot, she became a member of Sand Writers in 2022, in Goolwa, SA.
This collection is a selection of the range of her writing and it is enhanced by her husband Pem’s beautiful illustrations and some personal photographs. The cover was from her original pastel painting.
Penny's Profile here.
Pem Gerner
Architecture By Team- Devine Erby Mazlin:
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80 Drawings |
90 Drawings - A Retrospective |
100 Intersections Architecture, Urban Design, Planning & Teaching |
150 Writings: Articles, Reviews, Poems, Essays |
Liberating Limericks |
An insightful collection of Pem's writings over several decades. It includes poetry, some being published in the Australian Anthology of New Poets (1955) and Sand Writers Anthology (2023), essays and reviews, particularly contributing some 120 in number to the online journal Cityscape (2005 – 2012). Cityscape was a popular professional journal addressing architectural, planning, urban design and environmental concerns under a joint editorship of Pem and Dr Rodney Jensen.
Pem's profile here. |
Liberating Limericks is a joint authorship with words by poet and novelist Stafford Ray and illustrations by Pem. The limerick is essentially transgressive. The giants of English literature, playwrights William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson and poets T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden haven't scorned the lowly limerick. This enduring poetic form continues on. It's unabashedly: honest, at times undeniably rude, risque and reprehensible but almost without fail, downright funny. Stafford's limericks maintain this fine tradition |
Craig Harris
The KGB's Genius of Illusion
The space race started just after World War 11. It was to be an epic battle between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. World dominance and superiority was the coveted prize.
Espionage was rife.
Soviet Dimitri Azorov infiltrated into the USA. He mingled into society and influential circles with high success whilst dispatching vital information on metallurgy. Simultaneously a disgruntled former Japanese soldier attempts to sabotage several metal foundries producing exotic alloys for rocket components.
Espionage was rife.
Soviet Dimitri Azorov infiltrated into the USA. He mingled into society and influential circles with high success whilst dispatching vital information on metallurgy. Simultaneously a disgruntled former Japanese soldier attempts to sabotage several metal foundries producing exotic alloys for rocket components.
The Blue Water Warriors
Blue Water Warriors tells the story of the early Sydney to Hobart yacht races. Drawing on the log books and memories of the navigator on a legendary competing yacht, a living part of Australia's maritime history.
Minstral II's crew encountered dangers and hazards not generally faced by today's competitors - no life boats or radio and the propeller was deliberately removed. It also came terrifyingly close to being smashed against the tremendous cliffs of Tasman Island.
It chronicles the fierce rivalry between Mistral II and Morna, at that time the most famous yachts in Australia and tells of more relaxed times on the return voyages to Sydney.
Craig's profile here.
Minstral II's crew encountered dangers and hazards not generally faced by today's competitors - no life boats or radio and the propeller was deliberately removed. It also came terrifyingly close to being smashed against the tremendous cliffs of Tasman Island.
It chronicles the fierce rivalry between Mistral II and Morna, at that time the most famous yachts in Australia and tells of more relaxed times on the return voyages to Sydney.
Craig's profile here.
Keith MacNider
Coonemara Greening
'The poetry in this, Keith's first collection, represents the lifework of an outstandingly talented, worldly poet, who has published many individual poems across the globe. A seasoned traveller and experience seeker, Keith's quest for natural beauty and ethereal knowledge has taken him to the green hills of Connemara in Ireland, the rocky and holy paths of the Navajo people in Arizona, to England, Canada, Hawaii and Australia. The poems in Connemara Greening tickle us awake to witness the gentle power of humanity in our shared and ancient psyche'.
...'Words, songs and human voice captivated Keith and have brought him to the art of poetry as a medium to express the spiritual links between stories, memories and nature'. Jude Aquilina, author, Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship winner |
Warren Porter
Brutalised - Institutional Abuse in Australia
Brutalised is Warren Porter’s harsh and often shocking memoir of his fourteen years of incarceration in six different Government and Church run institutions 1948 -1962. It is a story of a childhood lost and endless brutality, of rape, floggings, and from aged seven with his mates forced to labour like men in concentration like conditions. This is a story of constant criminal abuse of children which Australian Governments and Churches always ignored until, eventually, the 2013 establishment of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Physical Abuse. Throughout Warren’s time he was never sent to school, after all none of the wardens or guards in these institutions, particularly the notorious Westbrook Reformatory Farm Home for Boys (so often referred to a delinquent boys) had any teacher training. Throughout this time 1948 – 1962 and then on to 2013, as Warren reveals, there was never any intention by Churches and Governments that these institutions would provide an education. The absence of any type of education defies reason and explanation. Brutalised tells about the courage and spirit of mateship that enabled children to survive brutality. For the children incarcerated there was never any experience of love, but the life raft of mateship is distinct, and revealed in every chapter of Brutalised. Warren’s story is a window pane view of institutional life. It is harsh, repugnant and criminal.
A Tormented Life - Institutional Brutality in Australia
At aged 4 years Warren Porter and his 2 year old brother Graham began their institutional life
in the W R Black home for Girls – that being the nearest children’s institution in which they could be dumped – sadly by their mother who could find no room for them in her home. During the next fourteen years Warren spent time in the WR Black Home in Chelma Queensland . The Blackheath Presbyterian Home for Boys Oxley Qld, the Salvation Army home for Boys at Riverview Qld , a slave labour farm at Kingaroy Qld , The notorious Westbrook Reformatory Farm home for Boys at Toowomba Qld, Mt Penang Detention Centre and Bogga Road Gaol Brisbane. This stark book provides a day by day account of how Warren, his brother and fellow childhood inmates survived the whippings, rape, poor food, long hours of slave farm labour from aged seven until he was summarily dismissed without any education, back into the Australian community. This is a story of cruelty but also strength and endurance against unbelievable odds told by a man of courage whose spirit was never broken by the insidious Government and different faith based Church run institutions.
More about Warren's profile here.
in the W R Black home for Girls – that being the nearest children’s institution in which they could be dumped – sadly by their mother who could find no room for them in her home. During the next fourteen years Warren spent time in the WR Black Home in Chelma Queensland . The Blackheath Presbyterian Home for Boys Oxley Qld, the Salvation Army home for Boys at Riverview Qld , a slave labour farm at Kingaroy Qld , The notorious Westbrook Reformatory Farm home for Boys at Toowomba Qld, Mt Penang Detention Centre and Bogga Road Gaol Brisbane. This stark book provides a day by day account of how Warren, his brother and fellow childhood inmates survived the whippings, rape, poor food, long hours of slave farm labour from aged seven until he was summarily dismissed without any education, back into the Australian community. This is a story of cruelty but also strength and endurance against unbelievable odds told by a man of courage whose spirit was never broken by the insidious Government and different faith based Church run institutions.
More about Warren's profile here.
Roger Rees
Out of Calamity: Stories of trauma survivors
"Powerful, realistic and moving – I wept.”
Christine Durham, author & former Senior Victorian of the Year (Doing Up Buttons) About No Turning Back
Louise a young Australian anthropologist and Zeno an Ethiopian doctor find love in Ethiopia following its disastrous 1984-85 famine. In Ethiopia Louise observes poverty she never believed possible and spends time living with a remote nomadic Ethiopian tribe, the Hamar, gaining insight into their way of life. Stretching through to present day we follow their lives and experiences including an HIV diagnosis and management. |
Venturing Out
Venturing Out is a celebration of interior lives, personal relationships and life events. Roger Rees reflects gratefully on life, in poem's and literary portraits which are joyful, sometimes tragic, all of them extolling unflinching individual courage, resilience and personal warmth.
Roger's writing is multi-layered and defined by his compassion and celebration of the people and environment he loves. His poems invite an indwelling which is both brightening and soothing. ...."all of this writing speaks directly of person experience and in a sharing of a full and empathetic life". Keith MacNider, celebrated poet, author Connemara Greening Rogers profile here. |
J.S Scholz |
Little IslandsBeautifully crafted, these wonderful stories resonate with humanity – its subtleties, omissions, follies and frailties. Acutely observed settings and juxtapositions reveal the complexity of life. A boy builds a model solar system while his world falls apart; a reviled outcast searches for sanctuary at Christmas; a young policeman confronts ugliness in a beautiful landscape. Thieves, farmers, prison guards, real estate agents, factory workers, surfers, fishermen in a tinny – human hearts behind the mask and the uniform.
John's writing has been published in Australia, and as far afield as Norway. His short stories have won many writing competitions including winning the SA Writers’ Festival Short Story Award twice, and the EJ Brady Award. Little Islands is an anthology of his best stories. To purchase a copy of Little Islands ($16) please contact [email protected]. John's profile here. |
Heather Webster
Colours of Deception
A story of revenge sweeping across the vineyards of Australian, the European art scene and the London stock market.
Artist Zoe MacIntosh lives in London painting portraits of corporate high-fliers. As she paints Yves Montreau the attraction grows, but both are in a race against time. Yves aims to make another fortune by bringing an anti-aging drug to market, and Zoe to unravel the haunting mystery of her father's disappearance.
As their stories intertwine, Zoe and her friends pitch their wits against the corporate against who believes he deserves anything he desires.
"Authentic characters, rich descriptions and exciting plot twists show Webster's gift for weaving a memorable page-turner of a story".
Jude Aquilina, prize winning author, Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship winner
Artist Zoe MacIntosh lives in London painting portraits of corporate high-fliers. As she paints Yves Montreau the attraction grows, but both are in a race against time. Yves aims to make another fortune by bringing an anti-aging drug to market, and Zoe to unravel the haunting mystery of her father's disappearance.
As their stories intertwine, Zoe and her friends pitch their wits against the corporate against who believes he deserves anything he desires.
"Authentic characters, rich descriptions and exciting plot twists show Webster's gift for weaving a memorable page-turner of a story".
Jude Aquilina, prize winning author, Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship winner
Words of a Feather
"In Words of a Feather, combines her love of the natural world and her scientific background. Portraits of Australian birds come to life in this rich collection of poetry and prose. As a keen observer of avian behaviour, Webster captures the habits and traits of her local feathered friends. Drawings by talented artist Sherry Larson compliment this delightful collection. Quirky, cheeky, and informative, this book is a must to perch upon every bookshelf. You may never look at a cormorant chic or a plucky blue wren in the same way again. The flight of a bird is poetry in motion, just as the rich imagery and descriptions in Words of a Feather are uplifting, poetic and memorable".
Jude Aquilina prize winning author, Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship winner
Purchase from www.windsongwines.com.au $25. Heather's profile here
Jude Aquilina prize winning author, Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship winner
Purchase from www.windsongwines.com.au $25. Heather's profile here
Close Encounters: Snake stories from the Creek
The shock and adrenaline rush of a close encounter with a venomous snake must be experienced to know how it truly feels. In this collection of short stories, readers will relive this feeling and enjoy the sheer terror of another's.
Is it schadenfreude to thrill at the close encounters and think, I'm glad it wasn't me?
Heather Webster's Close Encounters is a memorable book to make city people stay in the city: amusing, rural and sinuous. Jude Aquilina prize winning author, Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship winner.
Purchase from www.windsongwines.com.au
Heather's profile here
Is it schadenfreude to thrill at the close encounters and think, I'm glad it wasn't me?
Heather Webster's Close Encounters is a memorable book to make city people stay in the city: amusing, rural and sinuous. Jude Aquilina prize winning author, Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship winner.
Purchase from www.windsongwines.com.au
Heather's profile here