“All you have to do is show your work.” While many business books tout the value of networking, Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon (author of “Steal Like an Artist”) offers a different perspective; that being one of “using the network”, sharing, teaching and learning in order to get discovered. Kleon points out that some of the biggest creative entrepreneurs spend more time focusing on what they do as opposed to how they promote it. Excel at your craft, no matter what it is. Then share the behind the scenes stories, ideas, what is coming up next or in the future, and inspire those around you to want to work with you or even *gasp* steal  from you. As the saying goes “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”.

This book offers a wide range of suggestions and insights into the reality of modern creative entrepreneurship. Each chapter is short and to the point with text broken up with Kleon’s own artwork and additional ideas/quotes. One of the most important lessons available here – learning when to stop talking and listen. If you want to be talked about you have to be willing to listen to the conversation. Show Your Work! is available now at the Thunder Bay Public Library.