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#65: Austin Kleon – 10 years as a full-time writer and stealing like an artist

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Jul 20, 2021

Guest

Austin Kleon

Austin Kleon, a New York Times bestselling author known for his illustrated works on creativity, dives into his journey as a full-time writer. He discusses how his book 'Newspaper Blackout' sparked the idea for 'Steal Like an Artist' and reflects on the importance of timing and initiative in creative endeavors. Austin shares insights on the self-publishing vs. traditional publishing debate, noting the evolving landscape for authors. He also emphasizes the value of personal joy over wealth, advocating for a unique definition of success in life and creativity.

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ANECDOTE

Librarian Insights

Austin Kleon worked as a part-time librarian, which provided health insurance and free time to write.
This experience taught him about what people read and how books serve their needs.

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ADVICE

Post-College Advice

Don't go to grad school right after college if you want to be a writer, get a job first.
Experience the real world and find what genuinely interests you without a built-in audience.

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ANECDOTE

Texas Mythology

Austin's poetry gained more recognition after he moved to Texas.
Texas's established mythology lent his work a certain image and appeal that it lacked in Cleveland.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Creativity Beyond Academia

01:47 • 10min

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The Mythology of Texas and Its Impact on Artistic Identity

12:06 • 2min

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Seizing Creative Moments

13:52 • 12min

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Parallels Between Music and Modern Creation

25:57 • 2min

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Navigating the Spectrum of Publishing: Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Routes

27:31 • 5min

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Navigating Creativity and Business

32:43 • 25min

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Embracing Enjoyment Over Wealth in Life Choices

57:15 • 4min

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#3508

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

Our Band Could Be Your Life

Michael Azerrad

Our Band Could Be Your Life is a comprehensive account of the DIY revolution in American rock music during the 1980s. The book profiles 13 influential indie bands, including Black Flag, Sonic Youth, The Replacements, Minutemen, and Husker Du, among others. It explores the personal stories, struggles, and successes of these bands, highlighting their impact on the music industry and their enduring influence. The narrative delves into the DIY ethos, the formation of independent labels like SST Records and Dischord, and the broader cultural and political context of the Reagan era. Azerrad's detailed and engaging writing humanizes the mythology surrounding these bands, providing a personal and insightful look into the lives and music of these pivotal figures in indie rock history.

#1706

• Mentioned in 15 episodes

Keep Going

10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad

Austin Kleon

In 'Keep Going', Austin Kleon offers ten simple yet profound rules to help creative individuals stay inspired, focused, and true to themselves. The book emphasizes the importance of daily routines, disconnecting from the world to connect with oneself, and finding inspiration in everyday life. It also delves into themes such as the value of tidying up, the importance of fresh air, and the need to leave things better than you found them. The book is filled with motivational quotes, anecdotes, and artwork, making it a unique and inspiring read for anyone looking to sustain their creative journey.

#448

• Mentioned in 40 episodes

Show Your Work!

Austin Kleon

In 'Show Your Work! ', Austin Kleon provides a manifesto for succeeding as any kind of artist or entrepreneur in the digital age. The book emphasizes the importance of generosity over genius, getting 'findable' by using the network, and self-discovery through sharing your creative process. It offers ten transformative rules for being open, generous, brave, and productive, including chapters on sharing something small every day, engaging with your audience, and the etiquette of sharing online. The book is filled with illustrations, quotes, stories, and examples to inspire and guide readers in their creative journeys.

#207

• Mentioned in 67 episodes

Steal like an artist

10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Austin Kleon

This book, which began as a speech given by Austin Kleon to college students, expands into a manifesto for creativity. It outlines ten transformative principles such as 'Steal like an artist' (honoring, studying, and transforming ideas), 'Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things,' and 'Use your hands' (emphasizing physical work). Kleon argues that creativity is not original but builds on what came before, and he provides practical tips and inspiring concepts for artists, writers, musicians, and anyone generating creative work.

#5040

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Newspaper Blackout

Austin Kleon

Newspaper Blackout is a unique collection of poems by Austin Kleon, created by eliminating unwanted words from newspaper articles with a permanent marker. The book includes original poems by Kleon, submissions from readers, and an appendix on how to create your own blackout poetry. It has been praised for its innovative approach to poetry and has inspired a movement in blackout poetry across the internet.

Austin Kleon is the New York Times bestselling author of a trilogy of illustrated books about creativity in the digital age: Steal Like An Artist, Show Your Work!, and Keep Going.

He’s also the author of Newspaper Blackout, a collection of poems made by redacting the newspaper with a permanent marker.

His books have been translated into dozens of languages and have sold over a million copies worldwide. He’s been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS Newshour, and in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

New York Magazine called his work “brilliant,” The Atlantic called him “positively one of the most interesting people on the Internet,” and The New Yorker said his poems “resurrect the newspaper when everybody else is declaring it dead.”

He speaks for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist. In previous lives, he worked as a librarian, a web designer, and an advertising copywriter.

In this episode, we talk about how Newspaper Blackout led to Steal Like An Artist, when he knows it’s time to write another book, the pros and cons of self-publishing, why Austin doesn’t believe he’s business savvy, and the role of Luck in Austin’s ability to make a living as a full-time writer.

Visit Austin Kleon's website

Follow Austin Kleon on Twitter

Follow Austin Kleon on Instagram

Full transcript and show notes

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RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE

→ #2: James Clear

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