Another AANR failure.

[jasenj]

I recently picked up the book "Naked at Lunch" by Mark Haskell Smith. Although, I've never heard of Mr. Smith before, he seems to be an author of some repute. This "Naked at Lunch" book is a real, professional, mainstream book with a real publisher, a publicity tour (he's been on several radio talk shows), etc.

I won't go into the whole plot, etc. - you can read the reviews and summaries - but so far I highly recommend it.

He _tried_ to contact AANR for the book but...

"I should note that my attempts to arrange an interview with someone form the AANR were never acknowledged; my e-mails were never replied to; and when I spoke to someone on the phone at its Kissimmee, Florida, headquarters I was advised to 'download the press kit.'"

AAARRGH!!!

Unbelievable.

- Jasen.

[FireProf]

sounds about Par for the course!

[usuallylurk]

I recently picked up the book "Naked at Lunch" by Mark Haskell Smith. Although, I've never heard of Mr. Smith before, he seems to be an author of some repute. This "Naked at Lunch" book is a real, professional, mainstream book with a real publisher, a publicity tour (he's been on several radio talk shows), etc.

Well, if he's got a real publisher - and a real agent - as his personal website states, they are the ones that usually do the promotion of a book. One reason an author links up with a good publisher , or a musician with a good "record company", as they're still archaically called, is for the promotion they provide. If you are taken on by Simon & Schuster or Random House, you have a better chance of breaking out than with a small indie, or self-publishing. Still, Grove Atlantic is a decent pub house.

On the other hand, if he wants to promote his book through nudist channels -- he could always buy an ad in the Bulletin - with the proviso that they interview him. Perhaps that would work - a two-way street, he gets the publicity, and AANR gets a little jingle out of it as well.

[jasenj]

UL, perhaps you misunderstood. While doing research to write the book, the author tried to contact AANR, but all he got was "download the press kit" for a response. He talked extensively with Mark Story of TNS, Scott Wiener the San Francisco supervisor, and many others. He clearly did extensive research into nudism. But AANR couldn't be bothered to talk to him. Shame on them.

[usuallylurk]

UL, perhaps you misunderstood. While doing research to write the book, the author tried to contact AANR, but all he got was "download the press kit" for a response. He talked extensively with Mark Story of TNS, Scott Wiener the San Francisco supervisor, and many others. He clearly did extensive research into nudism. But AANR couldn't be bothered to talk to him. Shame on them.

OK, based on the initial post it wasn't clear as to whether he was looking to promote his book, or find general information on nudism.

They are easily available by telephone - so - I don't really see how he could have had a problem. How did he "try to contact AANR"??? Their phone number is 1-800-TRY NUDE and they are there during normal (eastern) business hours. Also, if he's in the LA area - there are nudist clubs and facilities that would talk with him.

[jasenj]

They are easily available by telephone - so - I don't really see how he could have had a problem. How did he "try to contact AANR"???

Please read the original post. The answers to your question are there.

For this particular portion of the book he was writing about the history of nudist organizations in the USA.

Also, if he's in the LA area - there are nudist clubs and facilities that would talk with him.

Yes. He tried to stay at the Terra Cotta Inn but they turned him away because he was alone - single male. He stayed at Desert Sun Resort. He also did a nude cruise, stayed at Vera Playa in Spain, visited Cap d'Agde, did nude hiking in the Alps with the Naktiv folks, and much more.

It's a 270 page book with fairly wide and deep coverage of nudism. Yet AANR couldn't be bothered to talk to him.

[jasenj]

Frustrated with AANR's main web site, I thought I would check out some of the regions. First up AANR-East. Fail. Their front page "From the President" article starts with "HAPPY SPRING!!" and the "Roving Ambassadors" section starts with "It's winter and...". Ugh! Please, AANR just give up and turn over the reigns to some competent people.

The URL for AANR East is http://www.aanr-east.com. Let me check out AANR West. Try... http://www.aanr-west.com. Domain expired! The address is aanrwest.com (no dash). aanreast.com has also expired - the same date as aanr-west.com.

I'll also note that all of the regional web sites have different layouts and looks. Branding 101 tells you to have consistent look. I know the regions are independent, but it still looks bad.

[Guest]

JansenJ, I hope you vented all of this to the association. I know they are not "perfect" regarding all they do, but they do a pretty good job at keeping legal issues impacting wholesome nude recreation on tap. As a reference, I find more info from general web searches over what they present. Maybe I am a little more forgiving...

[Adler]

jasenj: I looked on the AANR website and easily found the POC for Public Relations listed as Carolyn Hawkins who can be reached by email at [email protected] or phone number 1-800-TRY NUDE. Perhaps Mr. Smith did not talk to Carolyn. Give it a try.

[usuallylurk]

Frustrated with AANR's main web site, I thought I would check out some of the regions. First up AANR-East. Fail. Their front page "From the President" article starts with "HAPPY SPRING!!" and the "Roving Ambassadors" section starts with "It's winter and...". Ugh! Please, AANR just give up and turn over the reigns to some competent people.

The URL for AANR East is http://www.aanr-east.com. Let me check out AANR West. Try... http://www.aanr-west.com. Domain expired! The address is aanrwest.com (no dash). aanreast.com has also expired - the same date as aanr-west.com.

I'll also note that all of the regional web sites have different layouts and looks. Branding 101 tells you to have consistent look. I know the regions are independent, but it still looks bad.

They have been guilty of poor website design before -- although after some prompting, they did fix the major problem I reported some years back. They pulled the link to the map of nudist parks off the front page, and if you visited the AANR website in those days - and wanted to find a place near you, you could not. Selecting "clubs" brought you to a site touting one of their gem clubs.

I complained to a regional web site designer who said "yeah but if they type in your club name in Google..." -- he didn't get it. If someone goes to the AANR website, he or she should be able to find the club info THERE. Not have to learn it elsewhere and Google it. . Then he said "well what about the regions? They can visit the regions pages." and I countered that most AANR members don't have any clue as to what an "AANR region" is, do you think a guy or gal clicking into the site to find a group near them will?

I did report (I think to Carolyn Hawkins, not sure) -- that the clubs had a dearth of e-mail - and traced it back to that. I said "I am a computer professional. I knew I was looking for the map. I took five minutes and found it, buried. A link should be on the front page = 'Click here to find a club or group near you.'" It's a simple one-line fix with a hyperlink.

It was fixed. But it made the point - the website should promote nudism - and allow users to find resources. Not just promote AANR.

I was asked - oh, maybe 15 years ago - to beta test a website for AANR. I wonder if they ask members to do that now before they go live with the site. A good idea, no?

[jasenj]

For comparison, check out The Australian Naturist Federation's site.
Rotating slide show of pictures, a column of "Latest News" stories (that are actually current and not months old), a calendar prominent on the front page, little ads for events at resorts and beaches. IMHO, it crushes AANR's pathetic site.
(The Australian site does have an issue with the top menu partially covering their logo in my browser, and the menu jumps around a bit.)

I know the folks over at YNA once offered to help AANR with their site, but they were rebuffed. It's obvious AANR's leadership just doesn't understand having a web presence.