"Naked bookseller" gets shot at TV fame

Courtesy: Palo Verde Times

Quartzsite, Arizona bookstore owner and "local character," Paul Winer may get his chance as a TV star. A New York TV producer wants Winer to appear in a 12 episode reality TV show that locals hope will boost interest in the desert town, considered by some to be the RV Capital of the World.

Winer, best known as Quartzsite's "Naked Bookseller," was offered the deal by Metropolitan Entertainment and its producer, Pierce Cravens. The producer will drop into Quartzsite this June to film a "sizzler," a preview snapshot of what the program would be like if put into full production. If Cravens can drum up enough interest among investors, filming of the reality show would take place next year, some of it directly in Quartzsite.

Paul Winer has plenty of experience in the "entertainment" industry, aside from his informal exposés at his Reader's Oasis bookstore on Quartzsite's Main Street. Prior to settling down in town over 20 years ago, Winer was better known as "Sweet Pie" in cabaret and vaudeville acts. In recent years Winer has reprised the roles, albeit in more family-oriented costume, doing stage shows and benefits to the delight of snowbirds.