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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.
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Customers say
Customers find this book to be a must-read for all working artists, offering a 12-step journey from struggling to thriving. The book is well-written and easy to follow, with an impressive amount of research and thought-provoking stories about artists throughout history. Customers appreciate its practical advice and find it an enjoyable, digestible read.
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175 customers mention content, 172 positive, 3 negative
This book was brilliant, insightful, inspiring, and paradigm-shifting for me. From the first chapter, I was hooked....Read more
Such a great book! Real strategies you can put into practice today. All artists need to read this one.Read more
Real Artists Don't Starve is a feel good book of anecdotes and research about artists of all stripes who have come to a point where they can make a...Read more
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....Read more
61 customers mention practical, 56 positive, 5 negative
Inspiring and also practical. Some chapters will make you uneasy as they push you to launch yourself out of anonymity....Read more
Good read! A little repetitive, but good advice.Read more
...As a creative, I found this book to be extremely practical, thought-provoking, and most importantly, inspiring....Read more
...the trenches of our emerging economy, offering insights and encouragement useful to anyone preparing to join the ranks of writers and artists making...Read more
42 customers mention informative, 38 positive, 4 negative
A good message, but it's the stories that make it memorable. Well researched and earnest, if a little on the touchy-feely self-help side....Read more
...I found the book informative and exactly what I needed to inspire me to get started on a project I had been considering.Read more
...Amazing. This is a book to be studied and not simply read or you will miss the point....Read more
...Thank you, Jeff, for this well-researched, plainly-written, and highly-informative guide/kick-in-the-britches....Read more
30 customers mention storytelling, 28 positive, 2 negative
...Goins is a great storyteller, and he proved it, as he made it hard to even put the book down. This book is a head-lifter....Read more
A good message, but it's the stories that make it memorable. Well researched and earnest, if a little on the touchy-feely self-help side....Read more
...and photography educator I'm already implementing and sharing the amazing stories and lessons in this book to my students....Read more
Interesting stories, good perspective, somewhat repetitious....Read more
26 customers mention thought-provoking, 26 positive, 0 negative
This book was a well written and thought provoking book. I have highlighted in several places. Practical and inspirational as well.Read more
This book was brilliant, insightful, inspiring, and paradigm-shifting for me. From the first chapter, I was hooked....Read more
truly enjoyed Goin's writing style and philosophy. This book is a must-read for all working artists....Read more
...A good read and inspiration to proactively predict one's creative future by creating it! Thank you Jeff!Read more
14 customers mention writing style, 13 positive, 1 negative
Well written, concise and very informative, thank you and well doneRead more
...I enjoyed the writing style, it was as if Mr. Goins was sitting here chatting with me....Read more
Great message, very well written, truly inspiring....Read more
...Jeff's research is fascinating, the text is well written, and the message is deeply needed....Read more
12 customers mention ease of use, 12 positive, 0 negative
...Real Artists Don't Starve is an easy and enjoyable read - every point is well-illustrated by anecdotes and stories....Read more
No nonsense approach to how you should be thinking about yourself and your art.Read more
...my and expressed many of my inner feelings in a eloquent and easy to understand way. This should be required reading in every school in america!Read more
...This isn't a feel good book. Its a how to book!Read more
12 customers mention readability, 10 positive, 2 negative
Easy read with several new ideas. Great reference materials for your further information on art and it's marketing and professional promotion.Read more
It was a really helpful book, easy to read and full of real life stories of artists that did thrive....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 enjoyed it and found it a light and quick read and will probably read it again at some point....Read more
Every artist NEEDs to read this POTENT book!
I've had a creative and entrepreneurial awakening reading this book. I realized I've been believing myths my entire life that you have to suffer and be broke for the sake of your art. Jeff Goins turns this ridiculous idea on it's head and teaches you timeless principles for how to THRIVE as an artist! I loved reading about how Michelangelo was not in fact a starving artist like we all believed but was in fact worth the equivalent of $50 million freaking dollars... he even demanded to be paid for his internship. So the the world's most quintessential starving artist, Michelangelo, didn't even work for free, or cheap for that matter. So why should we as artists suffer for a myth? As a professional photographer and photography educator I'm already implementing and sharing the amazing stories and lessons in this book to my students. This book is incredible. Every artist should read it ASAP!
Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
- CALVIN BLACKReviewed in Canada on June 6, 2017
Smashing Myths and Inspiring Creative Work
Format: KindleVerified Purchase - Ian GarrettReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 2, 2025
Motivational and educational.
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase -
- Rahul ChowdhuryReviewed in India on October 3, 2018
Anyone who's creating something, should read this book
I've been reading Jeff Goins' articles for years on his blog. This was the first time I picked up one of his books.Rahul ChowdhuryAnyone who's creating something, should read this book
Reviewed in India on October 3, 2018
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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