According to Library Journal, “[Show Your Work is] a timeless book that readers can revisit throughout life, continuously gaining valuable insights and tips. Whether you’re just starting out or starting anew, you’ll find uplifting encouragement within its pages.”
Not everyone is naturally inclined to self-promote, and for some, it’s a daunting task to showcase their work. In his creatively designed pocket-sized book, Kleon provides effective strategies for this group, allowing them to share their work comfortably within their own zones. Publishers Weekly praises Kleon’s advice as both bold and accurate. They suggest that the subtitle could easily be “How to Self-promote Without Being a Jerkface,” emphasizing its usefulness and readability.
Kleon approaches the quintessential question of the creative life – “How do you get discovered?” – with humility, honesty, and humor. Rather than promoting the idea of stealing from others, the book offers a blueprint for making your work influential enough to be sought after. Brain Pickings observes how this book presents a mirror-image of Kleon’s debut, focusing on the worthiness of one’s work.
LibraryReads deems it a must-read for anyone involved in the creative process, and Booklist notes that despite its small format, Kleon’s powerful advice packs a significant punch. The Bookseller predicts it to be a certain and well-deserved bestseller, while Fast Company highlights its motivational content and intelligent approaches to modern creative work.
The book’s impact goes beyond the ordinary, with BookPage stating that it has the potential to change lives. A pivotal moment in the book encourages readers to share something small about their work every day, as long as it is useful or interesting. This approach has the potential to transform solitary artists and entrepreneurs into valuable contributors to creative communities.
