cover image Show Your Work! 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered

Show Your Work! 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered

Austin Kleon. Workman, $11.95 trade paper (224p) ISBN 978-0-7611-7897-2

Some people are natural self-promoters. For others, it’s painfully difficult to put their work out there. In this creatively designed pocket-sized book, Kleon (Steal Like an Artist) offers the latter group effective strategies that allow them to share their work without leaving their comfort zone. Kleon advises becoming part of a “scenius”—a group of creative collaborators that can spark ideas, provide connections, and start conversations. Such groups are easily found online via blogs, social media sites, e-mail groups, and more, all of which allow individuals with like interests to connect and contribute. Kleon offers common sense advice (find your voice, don’t be a hoarder) on how to demonstrate your talent, and describes a new way of operating that is less of a sell and more of a conversation. He advises readers to share something small everyday and to tell good stories, but cautions against turning into human spam. He also offers advice on how to handle criticism from online trolls, and overcoming the stigma of being a “sellout.” Kleon’s advice is sassy and spot-on. Illus. Agent: Ted Weinstein, Ted Weinstein Literary Management. (Apr.)