Praise for Real Artists Don’t Starve “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 is back with his most powerful book yet. Every page offers insight, hope, and practical advice for anyone who wants to make their dent in the universe.” — Seth Godin, author of Linchpin “Jeff Goins has established himself as a fresh and dynamic voice inspir- ing 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 “I absolutely love that Jeff makes such a compelling case that being an artist isn't an either/or decision when it comes to money. It’s not ‘be a real artist and starve’ or ‘make money and quit being an artist.’ Best of all, this book is perfectly timed for a digital world where we all have the opportu- nity to apply the principles in this book and create real art for real money!” — Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author “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 a nd entrepreneur Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 1 4/11/17 1:24 PM “In a world where work is increasingly commoditized and automated, crea tivity should command a greater premium than ever before . . . but it doesn’t. Artists of all kinds seldom realize their own unique value, and their careers and creations suffer as a result. Real Artists Don’t Starve un- leashes the potential of artists and builds upon Jeff Goins’s passion for empowering artists that enrich life as we know it.” — Scott Belsky, entrepreneur, investor, and author of Making Ideas Happen “It's one thing to want to be more creative. It’s another to learn the art of doing creative work. In this book, my friend Jeff Goins shows us how to take our creative talents and turn them into a full- time living. Don't miss this!” — Jeremy Cowart, photogr apher a nd founder of The Purpose Hotel “Goins dispels the myth that being a creative is some illusive, mysterious dimension reserved for a chosen few. Instead, he reminds us that being an artist is a job that any motivated person can do with a strategic focus on inspiration- gathering, collaboration, risk- taking, discipline, and market- ing. A great book for anyone bogged down by old- fashioned ideas about what it takes to be a thriving artist.” — Lisa Congdon, artist a nd author of Art Inc: The Essential Guide to Building Your Career as an Artist “Real Artists Don’t Starve provides practical, roll-u p- your- sleeves approaches to succeeding creatively and financially as an artist. It's a treasure trove. I loved it!” — Kevin Griffin, platinum- selling songwriter a nd member of Better Than Ezra; founder of Pilgrimage Music Festival Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 2 4/11/17 1:24 PM “We’re living in unprecedented times. Entrepreneurs, creatives, and other artists have never had more control over their work than they do today. But that also means the old solutions don’t always work as well as they once did. Thankfully, there’s Jeff Goins’s Real Artists Don’t Starve. This hand- book for the new creative economy reveals actionable principles to succeed in today’s environment.” — Michael Hyatt, New York Times bestselling author of Platform: Get No ticed in a Noisy World “This book is your wake- up call, packed with provocative ideas and com- pelling stories that light the way.” — Jonathan Fields, author of How t o Live a Good Life and founder of Good Life Project® “The myth of the starving artist not only sabotages opportunities for artists, but also keeps society from receiving the gifts of art. Jeff Goins will show you how to make a healthy living from your creative talents, without losing your muse, soul, or morals. If you are an artist, or love one, get this book.” — Pamela Slim, author of Body of Work “For centuries, the myth of the impoverished artist has led talented people to opt for a more ‘practical’ profession. Jeff Goins expertly dismantles this sinister lie, and shows why there has never been a better time to thrive— both personally and professionally— as an artist. Read this book, then pass it on to an artist you love.” — Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative “Finally, a book about art and money that tells it like it is. If you’ve struggled while trying to make it as an artist, your art isn't the problem— your mindset is. My favorite advice in this book: stay up late and embrace strategic stubbornness. Read it at your own risk!” — Chris Guillebeau, author of The $100 Startup and The Art o f Non - Conformity Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 3 4/11/17 1:24 PM “Too many books talk about how to be creative without much practical application to the real world. But this one is different. Jeff Goins shows you how to use your creativity as the weapon it is to make a living and a life for yourself.” — Kabir Sehgal, New York Times bestselling author of Coined; multi– Grammy Award winner “The idea that the artistic and the business mind are separate is just a lie told to keep one side from experimenting with the other. The best artists know their business and the best businesses believe what they do is art. Jeff Goins brings both together into one new way of thinking in this impor- tant and necessary book.” — Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle Is the Way and Ego Is the Enemy Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 4 4/11/17 1:24 PM Real Artists Don’t Starve Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 5 4/11/17 1:24 PM Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 6 4/11/17 1:24 PM Real Artists Don’t Starve Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age J E F F G OI N S Bestselling Author of The Art of Work Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 7 4/11/17 1:24 PM © 2017 by Jeff Goins All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means— electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other— except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Nelson Books and Thomas Nelson are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-r aising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e- mail [email protected]. Any Internet addresses, phone numbers, or company or product information printed in this book are offered as a resource and are not intended in any way to be or to imply an endorsement by Thomas Nelson, nor does Thomas Nelson vouch for the existence, content, or services of these sites, phone numbers, companies, or products beyond the life of this book. ISBN 978-0-718086268 (HC) ISBN 978-0718086287 (eBook) ISBN 978-0718098926 (IE) Library of Congress Control Number: 2017931116 Printed in the United States of America 17 18 19 20 21 LSC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 8 4/11/17 1:24 PM Contents Introduction: Myth of the Starving Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi Part 1: Mind-s et 1 You Aren’t Born an Artist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 2 Stop Trying to Be Original . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 3 Apprentice Under a Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 4 Harness Your Stubbornness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Part 2: Market 5 Cultivate Patrons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 6 Go Join a Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 7 Collaborate with Others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 8 Practice in Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Part 3: Money 9 Don’t Work for Free . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 10 Own Your Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 ix Real Artists Don't Starve_INT.indd 9 4/11/17 1:24 PM