Show Your Work

Show Your Work! argues that creative success comes from transparency, generosity, and participation rather than isolation and perfectionism. By documenting and sharing your process, you turn learning into connection, progress into opportunity, and vulnerability into strength. You do not need to be a genius or a master—you simply need to show up consistently and let people see what you build, step by step. Creativity becomes a conversation rather than a performance, and community becomes the fuel that drives meaningful work.

Kleon believes that when creators share their process instead of hiding it, they open doors for collaboration, growth, and financial stability. Generosity becomes the most powerful form of promotion. When you help others, teach what you know, celebrate influences, and participate authentically, you become part of a creative network where everyone rises together. The message is simple: be open, be consistent, be generous, and keep going.

Austin Kleon is a bestselling author, poet, illustrator, and creative thinker known for his accessible yet profound perspectives on creativity in the modern world. He first gained recognition with Steal Like an Artist, a book exploring how originality develops through influence and remixing. Show Your Work! is the second book in his creativity trilogy, followed by Keep Going. Kleon’s work has been widely featured in major publications including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and he has spoken at companies and institutions such as Google, Pixar, and TEDx. He lives in Texas with his family, continuing to write, draw, and share his daily creative practice publicly.