Saturday, November 03, 2018

Writing the Naturist Book



Just as I am pondering the wisdom of writing naturist fiction, there come my Real Naturists of the Year 2017, Nick and Lins from Belgium, with a book about their own naturist history, and how they build their successful image as worldwide Naked Wanderers.
The book, Alles Uit!, is so far only available in a Dutch-language version. The title means 'Everything Off!', meaning your clothes of course.
I hope Belgian readers - who at the moment must be flocking to the annual book fair in Antwerp - are more open to the idea of naturist books than those in other parts of the world.
Even Taiwan, where naturism is still banned, there have been some books published about nudity and naturism, though most were not given widespread publicity. The most recent of them was available at the Songyan branch of Taiwan's own luxury book chain Eslite, a major advantage even though it was wrapped in plastic with an age warning stuck on.
The naturist books I'm thinking about right now are novels - the same detective or spy novels you can find at any book store in the world, even at airports - but with naturist characters. Imagine a Jack Reacher or a DCI Banks or Bosch who is a naturist - and you'll  know what I mean.
Not an outrageously all-nudist book, not a book saying nudists are funny and laughable, but a true novel, of serious or popular fiction, where at least one of the protagonists is a real naturist.
That should be my New Year's resolution for 2019, write a 'naturist novel' which will not end up in some distant hidden specialty corner of just one book store here and there, but which could be up there among the bestsellers! Easier said than done, I know.
In the meantime, as a large part of the world is heading into winter, you can check out Nick and Lins, their Naked Wanderings, and their new book 'Alles Uit!' at their website.