Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age Hardcover – June 6, 2017

Easy, relatable read and I enjoyed his style of writing. I think this book might help some people, but I was looking for more practical steps, particularly relative to modern times as we live in the age of the internet. I actually didn’t finish the book so maybe he gets to that toward the end? But, he includes a lot of stories about all kinds of famous and not-so-famous people who “made it” - from Michelangelo to Jeff Bezos. If that’s a way you enjoy learning, then you will enjoy this book and glean a lot from it, I’m sure. I’m not a history buff so I became worn out rather quickly of the constant stories coupled with so little information to readily act upon.To be fair, I did find one or two new things I’m implementing in my business now and he helped me see some things from different perspectives.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.

It was a good read with some useful advice. This would have been a great book to have in my high school days when I had thoughts of being an artist. I can highly recommend this tirlee.

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!

The aim of this book is to dispel the myth that real artists have to suffer for their art, 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. Goins paints a compelling picture that through the ages the most successful artists - from Michelangelo to Elvis - haven't starved (obviously by definition - they were successful) and he identifies 12 principles the starving artist doesn't employ, that the thriving artist does.The 12 points, which he lists in the introduction, are:1. The starving artist believes you must be born an artist. The thriving artist knows you must become one.2. The starving artist strives to be original. The thriving artist steals from his influences.3. The starving artist believes he has enough talent. The thriving artist apprentices under a master.4. The starving artist is stubborn about everything. The thriving artist is stubborn about the right things.5. The starving artist waits to be noticed. The thriving artist cultivates patrons.6. The starving artist believes he can be creative anywhere. The thriving artist goes where creative work is already happening.7. The starving artist always works alone. The thriving artist collaborates with others.8. The starving artist does his work in private. The thriving artist practices in public.9. The starving artist works for free. The thriving artist always works for something.10. The starving artist sells out too soon. The thriving artist owns his own work.11. The starving artist masters one craft. The thriving artist masters many.12. The starving artist despises the need for money. The thriving artist makes money to make art.Each point then becomes a chapter that Goins fills with anecdotes to prove his case with Michelangelo as the archetype of the thriving artist. My only criticism of the book is you could say Goins is guilty of cherry picking examples to suit his argument, none of us are Michelangelo after all, but that would be missing the point, which is that good art and commerce co-exist and always have. The principles and examples he develops are 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 to do, well into a ripe old age.

Is nice to see everything well explained. Pretty motivational book, would have loved to have more techniques, but still inspiring.

Any person who wants to be creative should read this book. Totally inspirational! I'd recommend this book to everyone as it gives us new insights into the world of art and creativity

Everything was smooth quick and great.

No me pareció un libro interesante.

Just WOW, this book is open minding. I start reading it and finished in 5 days. It helps understand when it s the right time to make a move as indipendent musician