Naturist Magazines

[ricky bobby]

I've noticed that so called "Naturist Magazines" are Naturist in name only. Many are heavy on naked females and don't present a balanced picture of Naturism. The only Naturist magazine I'm happy with is "Nude and Natural" from the Naturist Society (never read the "Bulletin" from AANR) .

Another thing I noticed is that if you go to your local newsstand, the Naturist magazines are kept with the hardcore adult entertainment mags (often behind a curtain).

No wonder there is a problem with the public's opinion on social nudity.

[ricky bobby]

I've noticed that so called "Naturist Magazines" are Naturist in name only. Many are heavy on naked females and don't present a balanced picture of Naturism. The only Naturist magazine I'm happy with is "Nude and Natural" from the Naturist Society (never read the "Bulletin" from AANR) .

Another thing I noticed is that if you go to your local newsstand, the Naturist magazines are kept with the hardcore adult entertainment mags (often behind a curtain).

No wonder there is a problem with the public's opinion on social nudity.

[Journeyman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by g1212:
I've noticed that so called "Naturist Magazines" are Naturist in name only. Many are heavy on naked females and don't present a balanced picture of Naturism. The only Naturist magazine I'm happy with is "Nude and Natural" from the Naturist Society (never read the "Bulletin" from AANR) .

Another thing I noticed is that if you go to your local newsstand, the Naturist magazines are kept with the hardcore adult entertainment mags (often behind a curtain).

No wonder there is a problem with the public's opinion on social nudity. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I know there is an associate editor from a popular naturist mag in the US who is here on CFF who posts from time to time, and he'd be a better person to answer your comments. I only write for these magazines on a freelance basis and have no say in their design or distribution.

There is also an editor here on CFF from Canada's naturist mag, Going Natural, and I think (trying to be unbiased as I'm a Canadian) that this is the most well-rounded of all international naturist mags. It's far from being sexist and even has full articles in our 2nd official language, French. In this country, that's HUGE.

Naturist editors and publishers have little say in how newsstand owners around the world display their publications...but if the editor chooses to put a buxom, white woman on the cover, guess what section the mag will end up going into?

Having said that, I was gratified to see on a trip to Australia in 2001, that "TAN- The Australian Naturist" was positioned on the newsstand right next to all the other lifestyle and women's mags.

[bendigonudey]

The Australian Naturist has a good mix of articles & pics:

TAN Website (http://www.naturist.net.au/)

[Jason Lee]

H & E UK Naturist Magazine (http://www.healthandefficiency.co.uk)

[Pete Knight]

I have to say that the British Naturism magazine is a "warts and all" type of publication, its not loaded with pretty young girls, there is a genuine cross section of the naturist community represented, its probably a bit boring as a result, but informative none the less.

Pete Knight

[FMII]

I take exception to the comment that the Naturist Magazine is full of pictures of women and that the magazine is found in the new stands where offensive publications are located. I have found the magazine in the health sections of one store and in another in the travel sections. And I find the magazine to be quite informative as well as, the Bulletin.

Again, it's what you want to preceive.

[NorthVanNudist]

I have seen both the Canadian "Going Natural" and British "H&E" magazines on the lower shelf of the main Health and Lifestyles section of Indigo/Chapters in downtown Vancouver. Doesn't seem to be a big thing here. Perhaps the placement of naturist publications has more to do with complaints from other customers (e.g., what is accepted in a very laid-back West Coast City may not be accepted in other areas). Could be more of a regional thing, as I have never seen these same naturist publications in any other Chapters/Ingigo locations, regardless of section.

[ricky bobby]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FMII:
I take exception to the comment that the Naturist Magazine is full of pictures of women and that the magazine is found in the new stands where offensive publications are located. I have found the magazine in the health sections of one store and in another in the travel sections. And I find the magazine to be quite informative as well as, the Bulletin.

Again, it's what you want to preceive. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

At my local Borders, a well known nation wide book chain, Naturally Travel is right next to Playboy & Penthouse etc. Therefore I'm not "Perceiving"anything. Went to two local news stand stores and asked if they had Naturist Mags, was told they were in the "Adult Section behind the curtain."

[pahjo2]

we okies are being left out, Borders carried "N" magazine for a couple of months & then dropped it. Barns & Noble carried both "N" & "H&E" for a while then they also dropped them. We have a new book store called "Books A Million" & they don't carry any type of nudist magazines. they carry play Boy, Hustler E.T.C. & a lot of gay magazines for both genders. personally i don't need either of those types. stay nude and stay happy--I'm always happier when I'm nude---pahjo

[merum]

The Borders and Barnes & Noble here on LI, NY used to carry both 'N' and Internaturally, TAN and at times H & E. Since JAnuary 2006 they don't carry any naturist magazines.
When they did carry naturist magazines Borders included them if a lifestyles section with camping, and tattoo and other off beat magazines. Borders kept them with Playboy, Playgirl and Penthouse.

[Eric6420]

In Quebec, most stores who sell magazines do not carry naturist magazines. The local Naturism Quebec is not distributed in stores, I did not find any naturist publications in the naturist campings I have visited.

If you want to find a naturist magazine in Quebec, you're most likely to find it in large magazine store that sells porn. You will probably find La vie au soleil, the french naturist magazine.

[Rabid_Clam]

Naturist magazines here in Virginia are all but non existant in any of the book/magazine stores.

You may find something like it in an adult store but as we know that is not the kind of adult material we support.

There must be a better way of advertising and distributing such pubs.

[Bob S.]

Before B&N stopped catrrying "N", it moved from Lifestyles section (adult, tattoo, drug, etc mags) to the Travel section.

Bob S.

[UpstateNYBill]

Some Borders still carry N magazine and Naturally magazine.

[usuallylurk]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rabid_Clam:
Naturist magazines here in Virginia are all but non existant in any of the book/magazine stores.

You may find something like it in an adult store but as we know that is not the kind of adult material we support.

There must be a better way of advertising and distributing such pubs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Last weekend - it was explained to us - by TNS officials - the reason stores like B&N do not carry 'N' has nothing to do with its content. Yes, it does carry nudity on the front cover but that can be covered by a plastic bag.

It has more to do with DISTRIBUTION methods. A magazine distributor isn't going to deal with a low-volume magazine. Neither is B&N. Which is why you can buy Playboy and Hustler in some of these stores, but not 'N'.

Also - we all know that 'N' shouldn't be considered "adult" material but the reality is that if a magazine counter chooses to carry it, it's up to retailer, not the publisher, to determine where it's going to go.

It was also explained - if you want to see 'N' on your local bookstore shelves somewhere, go into an independent bookseller and ask for it.

And obviously, the best way to assure that you'll get your copy of 'N'? Join The Naturist Society. 'N' comes with your membership. Have it sent to your house.

No problems. No worries.

[ricky bobby]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usuallylurk:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rabid_Clam:
Naturist magazines here in Virginia are all but non existant in any of the book/magazine stores.

You may find something like it in an adult store but as we know that is not the kind of adult material we support.

There must be a better way of advertising and distributing such pubs. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Last weekend - it was explained to us - by TNS officials - the reason stores like B&N do not carry 'N' has nothing to do with its content. Yes, it does carry nudity on the front cover but that can be covered by a plastic bag.

It has more to do with DISTRIBUTION methods. A magazine distributor isn't going to deal with a low-volume magazine. Neither is B&N. Which is why you can buy Playboy and Hustler in some of these stores, but not 'N'.

Also - we all know that 'N' shouldn't be considered "adult" material but the reality is that if a magazine counter chooses to carry it, it's up to retailer, not the publisher, to determine where it's going to go.

It was also explained - if you want to see 'N' on your local bookstore shelves somewhere, go into an independent bookseller and ask for it.

And obviously, the best way to assure that you'll get your copy of 'N'? Join The Naturist Society. 'N' comes with your membership. Have it sent to your house.

No problems. No worries. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

My concern is not getting "N" but where it is placed. The fact that most news stands in my area carry it in the adult section is cause for concern. Having "N" in the adult entertainment section sends the wrong message about our lifestyle.

[FireProf]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by g1212:
My concern is not getting "N" but where it is placed. The fact that most news stands in my area carry it in the adult section is cause for concern. Having "N" in the adult entertainment section sends the wrong message about our lifestyle. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You're preaching to the concregation here. We all agree with you. The only way to change something like this is to do what we have done, but in masses.

We talked with our local B & N and Border's Managers and wrote to the corporate offices. Nothing changes unless masses of nudist complain intelligently and diplomatically. If we do nothing but rant and rave at a manager or counter person, it only lends credit to what they think of us already.........a bunch of nuts! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

The irritating thing is that it only takes a few people to complain about a naturist magazine to get it pulled from a shelf completely or hidden in a place it really shouldn't be. It takes thousands and thousands of naturists to complain and even then, because of the preception society has of our lifestyle, there is no guarantee that naturist magazine will ever reappear or be place somewhere other than the adult section.

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cool4.gif

[usuallylurk]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FireProf:

We talked with our local B & N and Border's Managers and wrote to the corporate offices. Nothing changes unless masses of nudist complain intelligently and diplomatically. If we do nothing but rant and rave at a manager or counter person, it only lends credit to what they think of us already.........a bunch of nuts! :


The irritating thing is that it only takes a few people to complain about a naturist magazine to get it pulled from a shelf completely or hidden in a place it really shouldn't be. It takes thousands and thousands of naturists to complain and even then, because of the preception society has of our lifestyle, there is no guarantee that naturist magazine will ever reappear or be place somewhere other than the adult section.

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/cool4.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


First of all, it was explained, B&N did not drop the magazine. It's my understanding that the DISTRIBUTOR dropped it. As a result, B&N does not get the magazine. TNS has no problem getting their magazine on the shelves in independent bookshops. But the major chains -- the only way you're gonna get in there is through a distributor. And if the distributor feels you don't sell enough material to make it worth his time, he's gonna drop it.

Yeah, none of us like the magazine being placed in the adult section. In 2005 I suggested that local clubs place some of the videos that TNS produces in independent video shops. Is this possible?

Sure. There was one not-so-great movie of apocalyptic fiction - "Left Behind" - and the film's supporters bought VHS copies and gave them to indy video shops.

We could do the same.

Image is one thing -- but on the other hand, is it better that 'N' or naturist films be in the adult rack, or not distributed at all?

[FireProf]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usuallylurk:
First of all, it was explained, B&N did not drop the magazine. It's my understanding that the DISTRIBUTOR dropped it. As a result, B&N does not get the magazine. TNS has no problem getting their magazine on the shelves in independent bookshops. But the major chains -- the only way you're gonna get in there is through a distributor. And if the distributor feels you don't sell enough material to make it worth his time, he's gonna drop it.

Yeah, none of us like the magazine being placed in the adult section. In 2005 I suggested that local clubs place some of the videos that TNS produces in independent video shops. Is this possible?

Sure. There was one not-so-great movie of apocalyptic fiction - "Left Behind" - and the film's supporters bought VHS copies and gave them to indy video shops.

We could do the same.

Image is one thing -- but on the other hand, is it better that 'N' or naturist films be in the adult rack, or not distributed at all? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WOW! Sorry I posted a reply even though you had already told us all how and why this whole magazine issue at B & N was/is being handled.

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/rolleyes2.gif

[usuallylurk]

No problem....

The big thing is, when it disappeared from B&N shelves, people among us were crying "censorship! hypocrites! bad breath upon B&N!", etc. when in fact it had to do more with the fact that it didn't sell well on newsstands.

Look at it this way = it's $10 on the news stand. It's got a limited audience.

Booksellers, magazine distributors, and libraries are wise to the fact that a limited number of aficiandoes will call up and complain about a magazine being dropped, or demand that it be added. Sometimes this is done merely to boost the circulation of the magazine.

For instance, as an example, if the local library received 20 complaints from different people in a week asking why they don't carry the Boston Star Trek Society magazine, they would view it as an organized move, not as a general sampling.

I can't see WHY a lot of people in the naturist community complained.

There are a handful of people who say "oh, I can't bring that home, my Mom would kill me", etc. but for the vast majority of us, it makes more sense to pay the $55, join The Naturist Society, and we get not just the magazine but the benefits of being TNS members. Discounts at clubs. Reduced registration fees at Gatherings. A membership card that is honored and recognized at most North American groups and clubs. Etc. etc.

And it's a wonderful coffee table magazine.

[ricky bobby]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by usuallylurk:
No problem....

The big thing is, when it disappeared from B&N shelves, people among us were crying "censorship! hypocrites! bad breath upon B&N!", etc. when in fact it had to do more with the fact that it didn't sell well on newsstands.

Look at it this way = it's $10 on the news stand. It's got a limited audience.

Booksellers, magazine distributors, and libraries are wise to the fact that a limited number of aficiandoes will call up and complain about a magazine being dropped, or demand that it be added. Sometimes this is done merely to boost the circulation of the magazine.

For instance, as an example, if the local library received 20 complaints from different people in a week asking why they don't carry the Boston Star Trek Society magazine, they would view it as an organized move, not as a general sampling.

I can't see WHY a lot of people in the naturist community complained.

There are a handful of people who say "oh, I can't bring that home, my Mom would kill me", etc. but for the vast majority of us, it makes more sense to pay the $55, join The Naturist Society, and we get not just the magazine but the benefits of being TNS members. Discounts at clubs. Reduced registration fees at Gatherings. A membership card that is honored and recognized at most North American groups and clubs. Etc. etc.

And it's a wonderful coffee table magazine. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The Naturist Society membership:

http://www.naturistsociety.com/membership/index.html

[David77]

The legal ordinances in some cities or towns will prohibit such books from being sold, such as in my suburban town, so they do not appear in the stores.

[Eric6420]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by David77:
The legal ordinances in some cities or towns will prohibit such books from being sold, such as in my suburban town, so they do not appear in the stores. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do you mean books or magazines about naturism?

In Quebec, I simply think, that there is very little interest for publications about naturism.

I mean, you can find Playboy in almost any grocery store and hard core porn (straight, bi and gay) in pratically any video rentals stores, so it is surely not a reglementation problem here.

There are some artists that said that they were naturists, but most people couldn't care less about that.

[P.J.]

I'm not bothered that naturist magazines are a rare find at any book store or magazine shop.

It's the steep prices of the magazines that annoy me.

As for the moral outrage, which might be generated if Barnes & Noble or Books-a-Million sold such publications as N or the Australian Naturist (forget the Playboy and Penthouse magazines which are in sealed wrappers), I wonder if the self-appointed censors ever checked out what sort of material can be found on the shelves (not behind the counters) under Sexuality or Relationships?

[Naturist Zoar]

I truly miss Jim Cunningham's Naturist Life International, a great little magazine which had been published for many years until his retirement a few years ago.Although printed in Vermont, this quarterly provided insights and revelations from contributors around the world...

[David77]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Eric6420:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by David77:
The legal ordinances in some cities or towns will prohibit such books from being sold, such as in my suburban town, so they do not appear in the stores. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Do you mean books or magazines about naturism?

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am sorry. I meant to say "magazines" and not "books".
To my knowledge, not even Playboy is sold (under or over the counter) in my suburban town, eventhough we have a large B. Dalton store, a Borders bookstore and Waldenbooks. There is nudity in many of the photography books and art books at B. Dalton, however.

[Florida Cracker]

Naturist Zoar, and anyone else interested, you can still subscribe to Naturist Life International as an ezine at www.naturistlife.com (http://www.naturistlife.com) on the web. You are right, it was and is a great magazine. Jim Cunningham was one of the strongest proponents of "family nudism" including children in nude recreation. I loved the articles in the magazine about "first time nude" and nude "encounters with clothed people." They were often quite humorous!
Florida Cracker

[usuallylurk]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by P.J.:
I'm not bothered that naturist magazines are a rare find at any book store or magazine shop.

It's the steep prices of the magazines that annoy me.

As for the moral outrage, which might be generated if Barnes & Noble or Books-a-Million sold such publications as N or the Australian Naturist (forget the Playboy and Penthouse magazines which are in sealed wrappers), I wonder if the self-appointed censors ever checked out what sort of material can be found on the shelves (not behind the counters) under Sexuality or Relationships? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Large chains -- like B&N -- carry magazines that come to them from distributors.

'N' was dropped by B&N, not over moral outrage or in a wave of censorship, but because it DIDN'T SELL WELL ON THEIR MAGAZINE RACKS.

The DISTRIBUTORS dropped it -- for low volume.

Indeed, if 'N' could attract the circulation AND the advertising dollars that Playboy commands its cover price might be less.

The $9.95 newsstand price for 'N' may be steep -- versus $5-6 for other pubs, but it's worth it.

And a Naturist Society membership at $55 is even worth more.

[R.M.GREENMAN2]

The magazine store I used to got to had these magazines (i.e. Internaturally) also way back in adult section on the same shelf as S&M magazines.
I complained to the manager who was a very understanding person and he agreed with my point of view. He told me that because of the nudity that he would have to keep them in adult.
***I guess if X-amount of pages include nudity, it must stay in adult.
It seems some other magazines such as PanGaia has nudity in them, but for an 80 some page Mag. and it only has 1 or 2 pictures in the whole publication, plus the fact they are non-sexual, these do not need to be put in the Adult.

He ended up moving them to the shelf that included Easyrider and Iron Horse.....but it beat the um...er....beat mags?