An Interview with Norman Coutts
Norman Coutts was born on May 6, 1953, and grew up on a farm just outside Toronto. He studied Radio and Television at Ryerson Polytechnical University and went on to work in the television and film industry, holding roles such as stage carpenter, stagehand, floor director, and eventually first assistant director in film. He comes from a large family with three brothers and two sisters. His mother passed away when he was just two years old—a loss that continues to shape his reflections and writing. The Naked Sailor is his debut book, and he is currently working on a long-gestating family memoir.
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The title The Naked Sailor came very quickly and was the only title I ever considered as I was writing. The word ‘Naked’ represented my total lack of knowledge about sailing, motoring or any type of sea navigation. Other than a few ferries, I had barely been to sea in my life. I did not find the secondary meaning of ‘naked sailor’ until I had finished writing the book. It was a wonderful fit for the story.
How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?
It was a bit of magic to see the cover. I could not believe how well Ronaldo Alves and his team at Atmosphere Press had interpreted my ideas. It was far better than I could have imagined. I had stipulated no beige or grey, colourful and cheerful. I absolutely love it and everyone has commented on how it stands out and gives the immediate first impression of fun and humour.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I have been a reader all my life. I never had the confidence to write. It was while reading a book by Wally Lamb, who has a wonderful, easy style, that I decided I wanted to write. so I started the family memoir. While writing The Naked Sailor, I read over a hundred books. It was a suggestion from one of the half-dozen “How to Write Books” I had read, including one by Stephen King.
Read! Read! Read! It is so helpful. Reading while writing helps the creative juices flow. I also read a dozen books by Bill Bryson, a journalist /humourist /author (A Walk In The Woods, A Short History of Nearly Everything, The Life and Times of The Thunderbolt Kid) and really loved his style. It worked really well with my The Naked Sailor content, which I had envisioned as a travel diary of sorts. My absolute favourite book is The Life of Pi by Yann Martel. It is a sea journey like no other.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I worked in television but left and worked with a friend building high-end kitchens and bathrooms, libraries, entertainment centers, and wine cellars, to name a few. I worked as an Insurance Restoration specialist for home insurance claims for fire, water, etc. I did a brief stint as a retail person in a large Home Depot-type of center and totally hated it. I lived in Sweden for five years while my wife, with her freshly minted PhD, at sixty taught teachers at University. I met my wife while backpacking through Europe after University. This year, 2025, marks our fiftieth year together.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
The most meaningful part of publishing the book was having a fabulous professional group take my sow’s and turn it into a silk purse. They never judged me, although this was my first time writing and publishing. They gave me the courage to call myself a writer.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
Soundtracks would be anything from Jimmy Buffet, “Margaritaville” for sure, or “High Calypso” from John Denver and a 101-string orchestra playing “Mantovoni of the Mediterranean” to accompany the boating scenes.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?
The perfect readers come with an open mind for adventure. I hope they take away the fact that there is a big huge world out there full of surprises, and the unknown. Embrace them. Get rid of any prejudices you might have. We are all connected on this big blue planet. From space there are no fences and red lines of ownership. The oceans are what make the planet blue and they are the waters of mankind’s beginning here on earth. It’s time to respect Mother Earth.
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I am still learning the ropes for self-promoting the book. I keep looking at my unfinished family memoir, knowing how much labour it needs to be finished and do another watercolour to avoid writing.
How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?
If you are going to publish with Atmosphere Press, go all in. Find the money to take the best package…beg, borrow, or steal…and they won’t disappoint. This is a first-class publishing firm. The people are great. Most will be your best friend by the time the book is published.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.
