The Cover Isn't a Trophy

I'm sorry. I just snapped.

This week, for the third time, someone reached out with essentially the same message:

"Hey! I just discovered GoNaked Magazine. How do I get on the cover?"

Who are you?

Now, before anyone gets offended, let me explain.

The cover of GoNaked Magazine isn't a prize you win because you have a good body. It isn't a shortcut to internet attention. It isn't a way to collect another social media accomplishment.

It's the front door to our community.

The men who have appeared on our covers over the years didn't just show up asking for a photoshoot. Many of them have been readers, contributors, travelers, photo challenge participants, event attendees, or active members of the community. They've shared stories. They've encouraged others. They've helped create the culture that makes GoNaked what it is.

The cover isn't where your relationship with us begins.

It's often where we celebrate the relationship that's already there.

What frustrates me isn't confidence. I love confident people.

What frustrates me is entitlement.

There's a certain type of exhibitionist who isn't interested in GoNaked Magazine at all. They're interested in seeing themselves on the front of it. They haven't read the articles. They don't know our readers. They haven't commented, contributed, traveled, or participated. They simply want the thrill of saying they were on a magazine cover.

That's not what we're about.

If your first interaction with our community is asking, "How do I get on the cover?" you've skipped every interesting step in between.

Read the magazine.

Join the conversations.

Submit photos for one of our monthly challenges.

Write an article.

Come to an event.

Travel with us.

Become someone our readers recognize—not because you've promoted yourself, but because you've become part of the fabric of this quirky, welcoming, body-positive community.

Ironically, that's exactly how many of our cover models got there.

Nobody campaigns for the cover.

They become someone worth putting on it.

The cover isn't the destination.

It's simply our way of saying, "Thanks for being part of what makes this community special."