Beach Shorts – a Sandthology
Reef restoration donation
The beach is important to Joni Page and the team at Potato and Leek. So, the short story collection, Beach Shorts – a Sandthology, had been in the pipeline for a while.
However, as we were preparing for publication, a devastating algal bloom hit the South Australian coastline. Suddenly, we were wondering whether it was such a good time to release a book with Beach in its title.
But the front cover was such an idyllic picture that we decided we had to go ahead. That cover, and the inside cover pictures, remind us of blissful beach days – the sand warm beneath our feet, the sea a medley of blues and greens, and the sky a promise of peace and happiness.
We take it as a good sign that in the week Beach Shorts – a Sandthology was launched, the South Australian government announced the algal bloom officially over. However, we all know recovery of the marine ecosystem will take some time, and that steps must be taken to prevent a further algal bloom outbreak.
Joni and Potato & Leek want to play our part. The beach has given us so much, and we want to give back in its hour of need.
The space we decided to support was reef restoration. Several organisations work with the South Australian government to restore oyster and shellfish habitat in our gulfs. Gulf St Vincent previously had vast oyster and shellfish reefs, which are protective against algal blooms as well as providing habitat for other fish. Destructive dredging permanently destroyed most of these by the early 1900s.
So, part proceeds from every copy of Beach Shorts – a Sandthology sold until 31 December 2026 will go to reef restoration in South Australia.
What a perfect time to release a book with Beach in the title.
For more information:
https://www.natureaustralia.org.au/newsroom/sa-govt-tnc-partner/
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/coasts/rebuilding-sa-lost-shellfish-reefs
Joni Page 