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Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age Kindle Edition

by Jeff Goins (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

4.6 1,099 ratings

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Have you heard it said that creatives should wait for inspiration? How about the one that says it's selling out if an artist strategizes to profit off of their work? Or that a true artist works alone? In Real Artists Don't Starve, author and creativity expert Jeff Goins has set out to replace these false narratives and replace them with timeless strategies for thriving as a creative and debunking the myth of the starving artist. From graphic designers and writers to artists and business professionals, creatives already know that no one is born an artist. Instead, those who have entered a creative field have already utilized the imagination in fundamental ways in order to accomplish what they have thus far. And contrary to popular myth, Goins believes their artistic temperament has actually given them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.Through inspiring anecdotes of successful creatives both past and present, Goins explores the tension every creative person and organization faces in an effort to blend the inspired life with a practical path to success. Being creative isn't a disadvantage for success; rather, it is a powerful tool to be harnessed.

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244 pages
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HarperCollins Leadership
Publication date

June 6, 2017
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Review

"Jeff Goins doesn't just show us how to be more creative. He also reveals a path for turning our art into business and our business into art. Every entrepreneur, writer, and artist should read this book and take notes."
--DANIEL H. PINK, author of Drive and To Sell Is Human

"Jeff Goins has established himself as a fresh and dynamic voice inspiring us to get out of our own way and produce our best work. Real Artists Don't Starve is the work of angels: a book every aspiring writer, artist, and creative must read."
--STEVEN PRESSFIELD, bestselling author of The War of Art

"Anyone trying to make a living from their creative work will find much to steal here."
--AUSTIN KLEON, author of Steal Like an Artist

"Jeff puts to rest the myth of the starving artist. Artists not only deserve to be well rewarded, but there are more opportunities than ever for them to make it happen. This book is not only the blueprint, it's also Jeff's personal artistic manifesto. And now it's mine."
--JAMES ALTUCHER, author and entrepreneur

"Goins dispels the myth that being a creative is some illusive, mysterious dimension reserved for a chosen few. A great book for anyone bogged down by old-fashioned ideas about what it takes to be a thriving artist."
--LISA CONGDON, artist and author of Art Inc

About the Author

Jeff Goins is a writer, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur with a reputation for challenging the status quo. He is the best-selling author of five books including The Art of Work and Real Artists Don't Starve. His award-winning blog Goinswriter.com is visited by millions of people every year, and his work has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Psychology Today, Business Insider, Time, and many others. Through his online courses, events, and coaching programs, he helps thousands of creatives succeed every year. A father of two and a guacamole aficionado, Jeff lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N3NGAQ8
Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins Leadership; Reprint edition (June 6, 2017)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 6, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 789 KB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 244 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #134,274 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #4 in Business of Art
- #71 in Creativity Self-Help
- #201 in Personal Success in Business

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4.6 1,099 ratings

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Jeff Goins

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Jeff Goins is a writer, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur with a reputation for challenging the status quo. He is the best-selling author of five books including The Art of Work and Real Artists Don’t Starve. His award-winning blog Goinswriter.com is visited by millions of people every year, and his work has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Psychology Today, Business Insider, Time, and many others. Through his online courses, events, and coaching programs, he helps thousands of creatives succeed every year. A father of two and a guacamole aficionado, Jeff lives just outside of Nashville, Tennessee.

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Customers say

Customers find the book inspiring and empowering, with great examples of artists from various fields. They describe it as an easy and enjoyable read that expands the definition of an artist. Readers appreciate the practical tips on engaging their artistry in this new digital age. The writing is concise and easy to follow, making it a great resource for creatives who want to earn a living from their art.

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Inspiration Value for money Enlightenedness Readability Ease of learning Creativity Challenge level

171 customers mention "Inspiration"166 positive5 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and empowering. They say it's an insightful, motivational, and feel-good book with many motivating quotes. The stories from history and living creatives are mentioned as examples. Readers also mention that the book maps out a course worth following for creative types.

"I have read though it yet but I've read some and it's a inspiring read." Read more

"...It will inspire and empower you, and who knows, it may just change your life. Highest recommendation!" Read more

"An epic page turning legend which will be on people's bookshelf for a life time...." Read more

"...good, and after finishing the book today, I can say it maps out a course worth following for any creative type who wants to do good work, as I hope..." Read more

96 customers mention "Value for money"96 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a good value for money. They find it an easy, enjoyable read that provides insightful and inspiring content. The book is described as brilliant, solid, and worth the small investment. Readers mention it's a nice addition to their personal collection.

"This is a good book to get you into the mindset of making money and eventually earning a living as a creative...." Read more

"...It is definitely worth a read if it sounds interesting to you in the least." Read more

"...So, overall, the book was ok. I would read another by him if it had less stories and more up-to-date actions an artist can take." Read more

"...The Michelangelo story alone is worth the price of admission...." Read more

62 customers mention "Enlightenedness"62 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and helpful for breaking the cycle of starving artists into thriving ones. It provides examples of artists from various fields who challenge the perception of an artist as a poor, unfulfilling one. The book expands the definition of an artist to include those working in different fields. It helps readers understand that it's possible to make a living as an artist and is a must-read for artists struggling with self-doubt.

"The ideas Jeff Goins lays out in his latest book, Real Artists Don't Starve are not new. What Jeff has done, though, is present them in a new way...." Read more

"...to get you into the mindset of making money and eventually earning a living as a creative...." Read more

"...lays out a new rule to follow so that the title is true: Real artists don't starve. I recommend this book!" Read more

"...The stories of great artists like Michelangelo and other creatives are inspiring and share things you do not usually read about, such as him being a..." Read more

52 customers mention "Readability"49 positive3 negative

Customers find the book helpful for creatives who want to make a living from their art. It provides practical advice on engaging your artistry in the digital age. The author uses real-life examples to illustrate his points. Overall, customers say the book is inspiring and has them rethinking their approach to art.

"...Overall an important read for those creatives who'd like to earn a living from their art, but not a silver bullet." Read more

"...Never! Now, this book has me seriously rethinking my entire approach to art...." Read more

"...I enjoyed it and found it a light and quick read and will probably read it again at some point...." Read more

"...The author uses actual examples of artists to disprove this idea and shows how artists have thrived throughout time...." Read more

16 customers mention "Ease of learning"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing simple and easy to follow. They appreciate its concise and informative style, as well as its practical yet straightforward approach. The book provides a challenging yet encouraging learning experience.

"Easy, relatable read and I enjoyed his style of writing...." Read more

"...Real Artists Don't Starve is an easy and enjoyable read - every point is well-illustrated by anecdotes and stories...." Read more

"I found this book to be incredibly challenging and encouraging at the same time...." Read more

"...It is so practical and easy to understand along with being very candid as it describes the problems that every potential writer faces along with..." Read more

15 customers mention "Creativity"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and memorable. They say it provides a practical vision for the value of art and how it can support life. The book is described as bold and liberating, outlining the components for success.

"...to starve and emerge ennobled by the experience with some damn fine, pure art that will serve as a beautiful headstone to put on their early grave...." Read more

"...This book is one that EVERY creative, artist, writer, hustler, should read...." Read more

"...This is by far Jeff's most thorough book about writing --and art and creativity...." Read more

"I've had a creative and entrepreneurial awakening reading this book...." Read more

14 customers mention "Challenge level"10 positive4 negative

Customers find the book provides real strategies and advice for creatives. They feel encouraged and challenged by the book, which challenges them to be more brave in their art form.

"...It’s a book that inspired and challenged me to be braver in my established art form (writing) and also to branch out and try new things...." Read more

"...His strategies are truly timeless, and he proves his points by describing artist's processes - successful or not- from past to present time...." Read more

"While I enjoyed this book overall, I felt it was a little light on "timeless strategies" and a little heavy on anecdotes...." Read more

"...them with better perspectives on creating that are freeing and challenging...." Read more

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Summer
Great read and inspirational
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2024
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I have read though it yet but I've read some and it's a inspiring read.

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Melissa Dinwiddie
Worthy of Classic Status
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017
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The ideas Jeff Goins lays out in his latest book, Real Artists Don't Starve are not new. What Jeff has done, though, is present them in a new way. In fact, he is a case study for one of the principles he writes about in the book: Chapter 2 - Stop Trying to Be Original!

Goins has organized a compelling argument to not only effectively debunk the tired, old myth of the Starving Artist, but he outlines 12 principles every Thriving Artist lives by, and — most effectively — he fills Real Artists Don't Starve with stories.

It is these stories of artists from all walks of life, from Renaissance painter/sculptor/architect/multipotentialite (and millionaire!) Michelangelo, to a lawyer-turned-actress, to entrepreneurs, to musicians, to painters, to writers, and more, that make the book almost impossible to put down.

(Full confession: I am one of those stories. Jeff had a Skype conversation with me in 2015 which he ended up incorporating into the beginning of Chapter 9 of the book. But I paid full price for a copy before I knew he'd be sending me one as a thank you gift, and it was more than worth it!)

As I said, his principles are not new, but weaving them together in a compelling handbook filled with story after story of real-life case studies? Sheer genius!

I devoured my copy, flagging the pages with sticky tags where I'd webbed them with underlines for referencing back.

If you endeavor to live a creative life and you don't want to starve (and who doesn't?) -- if you want to THRIVE, whether from your art or FOR your art or both -- you owe it to yourself to get this book. It will inspire and empower you, and who knows, it may just change your life.

Highest recommendation!

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4 people found this helpful

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Garrett Hutson
Good mindset book
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2021
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This is a good book to get you into the mindset of making money and eventually earning a living as a creative. Jeff Goins does a good job of poking holes in that persistent myth of the starving artist, and shows again and again why this is harmful, and that artists can thrive instead. The focus of the book is strategic more than tactical, so there are no prescriptions for specific things to do to make that happen--your path is as individual as you are--but there are dozens of case studies that provide endless examples of things you can do. Overall an important read for those creatives who'd like to earn a living from their art, but not a silver bullet.

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One person found this helpful

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Ashley Murphy
People will want to throw it at those who said, "you'll starve"!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
An epic page turning legend which will be on people's bookshelf for a life time. People will want to throw it at those who said, "you'll starve"! It sets the truth straight.

When I first read the title, Real Artists Don't Starve (RADS), I automatically became defensive. Here's a book that's going to tell me what a "real" artist is and once again, I'll be labeled as "I am not a 'real' artist". You see, I was told after I graduated high school not to major in art because I wouldn't make any money, "I'd starve". So when I read the title it automatically triggered the moment I was told "no". Because in that first ever "no", in my mind labeled me as "not a real artist". If I couldn't make money at it. Then I wasn't good enough. Good enough to be "a real artist"!

Now, I am a few steps ahead of Jeff in my creative process, only by years. I realize everything he states in RADS to be absolute truth. The amount of time, research and thought put in this masterpiece will be the knitting tool for a close knit community where all will be honored as creatives. No matter your creative process; a softball coach, physical therapist, sales person, entrepreneur, lunch lady, music teacher, photographer, dishwasher, yard guy, writer etc. All together we will be held in strength and courage carrying on to the next level of our creative journey. It's great to know I don't walk alone under such a myth having been told, "you'll starve"!

Thanks to Jeff for the time put in this project. I shall not, I will not strive any further. I will thrive. Reading Real Artists Don't Starve has brought such clarity. It reminded me I am not hungry. I am an actual thriving artist.

It helped me realize I am not being salesy by asking others to buy my works of art. That failing at book sales from last years self-published book, Under Contract: Life in the Middle of Dreams (which has a similar message in it as RADS but in a fictional verse novel way), release was not because it wasn't good. Rather I wasn't creating enough market hiding in hunger.

After reading RADS the little apple on the front of the book makes me think of apple products, computers, phones etc. Steve Jobs. Jeff Goins is the Steve Jobs of this creative generation. An influential leader guiding so many towards success. Giving us the courage to stand up to our passions cultivating a realization we are all creatives waiting to be molded each step of the way, each season of life. By putting one foot in front of the other working in ways we were once told not to.

Jeff is the king of creatives like Elvis is the king of rocking roll. I don't say that to worship Jeff because I don't worship idols. But I do celebrate those who are an instrument of the kingdom. And that my friends is what Jeff is an motivational influential leader instrumenting a reminder, through RADS, we all have something for the world. The world needs us! We were all created by the creator Himself, of course we are creatives. Stay shiny!

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Bruno Interlandi
Awesome
Reviewed in Italy on July 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
A really great book for artists

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Paolo
Good reading!
Reviewed in Spain on August 11, 2020
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Is nice to see everything well explained. Pretty motivational book, would have loved to have more techniques, but still inspiring.

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CALVIN BLACK
Smashing Myths and Inspiring Creative Work
Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2017
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Jeff Goins writes with an inspiring tone that will pull you up by the bootstraps and help you to see that your work matters. He uses detailed research and fascinating stories to weave together a tremendously encouraging book. The myth of the starving artist is so common to us that we have stopped questioning its validity. In Real Artists Don't Starve, Jeff smashes the myth and gives example after example of artists who left the promises of success to pursue their art and still were rewarded.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is pursuing their passion in art, writing, photography or any other creative outlet. There are creative and proven ways to make art and be rewarded for it. Jeff is a great writer but he is also a proven entrepreneur who understands what it means to craft a life that provides for your family and allow you avenues to do work that matters.

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Doreen
Super!!!
Reviewed in Germany on May 27, 2019
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Ich bin sehr zufrieden mit der schnellen Lieferung und das Buch ist besser als erwartet!

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Rahul Chowdhury
Anyone who's creating something, should read this book
Reviewed in India on October 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
I've been reading Jeff Goins' articles for years on his blog. This was the first time I picked up one of his books.

Nevertheless, it was a great choice. Loved the book from cover to cover. It was a refreshing read. It was as if I was reading another Dale Carnegie's classics.

One of the best things about this book is that it's concise and straight up to the point. No filler words that most of the authors do these days to make their books fatter.

If you're a person who creates stuff or is looking to, pick up this book and read it. It'll guide you in the right direction.

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Rahul Chowdhury

Anyone who's creating something, should read this book

Reviewed in India on October 3, 2018
I've been reading Jeff Goins' articles for years on his blog. This was the first time I picked up one of his books.

Nevertheless, it was a great choice. Loved the book from cover to cover. It was a refreshing read. It was as if I was reading another Dale Carnegie's classics.

One of the best things about this book is that it's concise and straight up to the point. No filler words that most of the authors do these days to make their books fatter.

If you're a person who creates stuff or is looking to, pick up this book and read it. It'll guide you in the right direction.

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Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age Kindle Edition

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great read and inspirational

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy of Classic Status

4.0 out of 5 stars Good mindset book

5.0 out of 5 stars People will want to throw it at those who said, "you'll starve"!

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome

4.0 out of 5 stars Good reading!

5.0 out of 5 stars Smashing Myths and Inspiring Creative Work

5.0 out of 5 stars Super!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Anyone who's creating something, should read this book

Anyone who's creating something, should read this book

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Great read and inspirational

Worthy of Classic Status

Good mindset book

People will want to throw it at those who said, "you'll starve"!

Awesome

Good reading!

Smashing Myths and Inspiring Creative Work

Super!!!

Anyone who's creating something, should read this book