Try free for 30 days

  • Real Artists Don't Starve

  • Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age
  • By: Jeff Goins
  • Narrated by: Stu Gray
  • Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (37 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Real Artists Don't Starve cover art

Real Artists Don't Starve

By: Jeff Goins
Narrated by: Stu Gray
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Best-selling author and creativity expert Jeff Goins dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success by revealing how an artistic temperament is in fact a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

For centuries the myth of the starving artist has dominated our culture, seeping into the minds of creative people and stifling their pursuits. But the truth is that the world's most successful artists did not starve. In fact they capitalized on the power of their creative strength. In Real Artists Don't Starve, Jeff Goins debunks the myth of the starving artist by unveiling the ideas that created it and replacing them with 14 rules for artists to thrive, including:

  • Steal from your influences (don't wait for inspiration)
  • Collaborate with others (working alone is a surefire way to starve)
  • Take strategic risks (instead of reckless ones)
  • Make money in order to make more art (it's not selling out)
  • Apprentice under a master (a "lone genius" can never reach full potential)

Through inspiring anecdotes of successful creatives both past and present, Goins shows that living by these rules is not only doable but it's also a fulfilling way to thrive.

From graphic designers and writers to artists and business professionals, creatives already know that no one is born an artist. Goins' revolutionary rules celebrate the process of becoming an artist, a person who utilizes the imagination in fundamental ways. He reminds creatives that business and art are not mutually exclusive pursuits. In fact success in business and in life flow from a healthy exercise of creativity.

Expanding upon the groundbreaking work in his previous best-seller, The Art of Work, Goins explores the tension every creative person and organization faces in an effort to blend the inspired life with a practical path to success. Being creative isn't a disadvantage for success; rather, it is a powerful tool to be harnessed.

©2017 Jeff Goins (P)2017 Thomas Nelson

What listeners say about Real Artists Don't Starve

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    25
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    6
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    18
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    20
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Real artists don’t read this!

In a world saturated with wanna-be artists, the romance of being a creative outweighs the reality of making a living. Jeff’s advice is aimed at these people. From the perspective of someone with a 20 year career and weathering the ups and downs, this book is trivial garbage.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Pep Talk for all artists

I really enjoyed listening to this as I've just started to sell my paintings (after 12 years of hesitation). The author raised some fantastic points that I'll definitely be putting to use, and the reader spoke clearly and with a very persuasive tone, so the whole thing felt like a really great pep talk. Thanks!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great little gems inside

Lots of examples both past and present of artist journeys and how they made it. Lots of supportive hints on what you can do to change your artist journey - some practical some not so practical but all together enjoyed this book😊

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

For all artists!

All artists need to listen to this book. The romanticized idea of the starving artist is holding so many of us back.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

time to thrive

loved it! exactly what I needed to hear. I'm ready to thrive! informative and inspiring. thanks for reprogramming mind.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

As a creative this book is what I need.

A myth we all need to hear isn't true. if anyone is a struggling creative this book is a fantastic read and audio resource (I have both). One of my favorite things to listen to when working.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

listened to whole thing in one go. A very well set out book I'm buying a copy and some highlighters.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Sam
  • 20-07-2021

Survivorship Bias: the novel

Competently written, Probably a solid read for anyone worried their kid has their head in the clouds for job prospects in a creative career.

Just a little too optimistic and grating on a jaded soul like myself. Will reread when I'm less depressed by the job market and views may change :)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent insight.

This book interested me because I was about to finish college and I wanted to understand what was in my blind spot to success. Throughout the audio book the author discuss several cases of other people overcoming ordinary thinking and making extordinary outcomes for their lives. the author consistently demonstrates a way of thinking and relating to art and business and society which serves the artist to thrive not survive. thanks

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

a bit too fluffy but some might like the stories

I like the premise but there was too much padding. the ideas could have been sufficiently covered with the content in the conclusion alone. even that I found to be a bit long winded. I appreciate some people might enjoy the narrative aspect though.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.