Steal Like an Artist

In the spring of 2011, Austin Kleon was invited to speak at Broome Community College in upstate New York. He decided to share a straightforward list of advice he wished he had received when he was younger. This list comprised ten guiding principles: 'Steal like an artist; Don't wait until you know who you are to start making things; Write the book you want to read; Use your hands; Side projects are important; Do good work and put it where people can see it; Geography is no longer our master; Be nice (the world is a small town); Be boring (it's the only way to get work done); and, Creativity is subtraction.' After presenting, Kleon shared the text and slides on his well-followed blog, where the ideas gained rapid popularity. The success on his blog inspired him to develop these concepts into an expanded, illustrated guide targeting a broad audience. The book is designed for writers, artists, entrepreneurs, designers, photographers, musicians, and anyone striving to create art, a career, or a fulfilling life in the digital era. It is concise, direct, and visually engaging, offering illustrative anecdotes and short exercises to encourage readers to tap into their creative potential.