So, You're a Creative Genius... Now What? [Paperback]

Carl King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2011

Until now there hasn’t been a comprehensive, philosophical guide to prepare you for the strange, beautiful, and downright dangerous lifestyle known as a Creative Career. So, You’re A Creative Genius… Now What? is here to help you take control of your destiny, follow your own path, and open your own creative studio anywhere. 

Divided into two parts, YOU and THEM, this fun book teaches you how creative freelancing can bankroll your own artistic dreams. 

Whether you’re an artist, writer, filmmaker, or musician, So, You’re A Creative Genius… Now What? will help you conquer that Creative Genius within.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932907920
• ISBN-13: 978-1932907926
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #475,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

If you don't find something inspirational in this grab bag of powerful positive programming, you've ascended to the grazing range with the cow-like head bobblers. --Jon Schnepp, Director of Metalocalypse, Venture Bros.

You wanted to build a Wonka factory in your attic but instead ended up burning the house down. Sound familiar? If so, this book is for you. --Ruta Sepetys, Manager of Steve Vai, LIT

Launching your own creative career can be quite an aimless and frustrating endeavor. This book tells you how (and why) you should do it. Bravo, Carl. You weirdo! --Jeff Friedl, Drummer of DEVO

Growing up, I used to think something was wrong with me.  After reading Carl's book, I now know that there is definitely something wrong with me, and that's a good thing. --Dan Oster, MADtv

Freaks and rebels - those few that think for themselves - this book is for you! --Derek Sivers, Founder of CDBaby

Book Description

Until now there hasn’t been a comprehensive, philosophical guide to prepare you for the strange, beautiful, and downright dangerous lifestyle known as a Creative Career. So, You’re A Creative Genius… Now What? is here to help you take control of your destiny, follow your own path, and open your own creative studio anywhere. 

Divided into two parts, YOU and THEM, this fun book teaches you how creative freelancing can bankroll your own artistic dreams. 

Whether you’re an artist, writer, filmmaker, or musician, So, You’re A Creative Genius… Now What? will help you conquer that Creative Genius within.

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions (June 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932907920
• ISBN-13: 978-1932907926
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #475,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Under the names Sir Millard Mulch and Dr. Zoltan Øbelisk, Carl King has recorded or performed with Devin Townsend, Marco Minnemann, and Virgil Donati.

His 2005 album, How To Sell The Whole F#@!ing Universe To Everybody... Once And For All! was co-released through Trey Spruance of Mr. Bungle's Mimicry Records. It was named as one of the top musical moments of 2005 in The San Francisco Bay Guardian.

He is a pioneer drum-programmer and is endorsed by Toontrack's Drumkit From Hell software.

The highest and lowest points of his music career were having lunch with (and then failing an invite-only bass audition for) Steve Vai.

Carl has written articles and blogs for mental_floss, INK19, and 2600: The Hacker Quarterly.

He now owns and operates a commercial video studio in the northern Los Angeles area and is producing a full-length documentary on Swedish drummer, Morgan Ågren -- with guest appearances by Danny Carey of Tool, Mike Keneally, and Thomas Lang.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Outline but Little on Substance November 5, 2011

By D. Wade

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

For anyone working or planning to work in a creative field this book is worth a read. I've been a self-employed writer/producer for years and I don't recall finding a "self-help" book by an author with whom I identified more. But perhaps because I could identify so, I didn't get much new out of his book.

I ordered Carl's book primarily because of the "Now What" subtitle. I want to make a career change and hoped he might reveal options, concrete examples of how to find ways of making a living when one is blessed/cursed with creative talents.

Instead, while I found that he did identify some truths to the mindset of a creative, advice as to how best structure the creative person's work day and work ethic, and smile-inducing observations of the creative person's typical strengths, weaknesses and experiences in working with non creative types, there was, in my opinion, little in the book of substance.

I was left with the impression that Carl offered up many, many great section titles, each with a brief introduction to what might have been a very interesting discussion; but then rarely followed up with any meat before moving on to another tantalizing but unfulfilled section.

I enjoyed Carl's thoughts and would say that he's put together an excellent outline to a book (or book series) that could be - for the Creative searching for a place in the work world - all that and more. I just don't see this work as that complete and fulfilling as is.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Some things should be predictable"...this book is not! May 8, 2011

By Samantha H.

Format:Paperback

Prepare for lift off! Carl King sheds some enlightenment into the chaotic world of launching your creative career. Wether you are an artist, musician, designer, writer or magician of any sort this book is a must read!! "So you're a Creative Genius...Now What?" gives you advice on everything you will need on your journey, from setting up your secret laboratory, to balancing your demanding career with a healthy mind and body. Carl urges you to embrace your dark side (yes, you have one, everyone does), believe in yourself (even when no one else does), and make YOUR dreams come true (what have you got to loose?!)! He delivers solid business tips gathered from personal experience, as well as brilliant ideas on developing YOUR personal style and marketing it in imaginative ways. This book is precise and to the point, with a quick wit that will keep a cynical chuckle on the tip of your tongue until you turn the last page. This should be required reading for everyone upon entrance to high school...the weirdo in the back of the class will understand himself a whole lot better...everyone else will learn to respect his individuality, and the secret power he possess!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A handbook for the bold June 1, 2011

By Stephen Cox

Format:Paperback

It's been a very long time since I've read a book that's forced me to say out loud, "I need a f@%king highlighter!". If you are walking down the long, winding road of a creative career path or plan on injecting some unpredictable right-brained thinking into your stale career, you will find a treasure trove of witticisms, advice and original/practical solutions that resonate with truth in this book. An amazingly insightful look at something so many of us are programmed to feel ashamed of - Creativity.

The author has mapped out everything you need to hone your creativity and use it as a tool for success, rather than a handicap. From concept to process, to money to mental health, you will be armed with a Swiss army knife that is guaranteed to pry open your brain hole and smash the artificial archetype of success and stability that has plagued so many cubical-bound, yet brilliant thinkers. At the very least, this book may validate what you've already known and give you the confidence to take the next step in your career. An amazingly easy read. I highly recommend it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sure, It May Be Satanic But... June 18, 2011

By McLoon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When was the last time you read career advice that included that caveat? Do any of your other self help books refer to you, the reader, as a "mutant?" Of course not. Because all those other books are for normal people and the life of a creative genius is not for normal people. It is however, often the life for the tenuously coherent, chronically lost, temporally incompetent, and fashionably self-destructive.

This book offers guidance to combat those and other pitfalls common to the profession. Read it a Numerologically significant number of times and put yourself on the wizard's path. Or do what I did: Read it once and then loan it to a (mutant)friend.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wake Up! July 20, 2011

By Andrew W

Format:Paperback

Carl King has made every mistake that you were too afraid to make. He's acted upon those dreams that we woke up from and dismissed as just a dream. He's failed and he's succeeded, and failed, and succeeded. And he shows you how he did it.

His book is a work of both existential and psychological value. It will make you laugh and it will make you uncomfortable, often at the same time.

"So you're a creative genius..." is half self-help and half modern day I Ching. Throw the yarrow sticks down, open the book and discover yourself.

Seriously, open the book to any page and read one section. You'll feel slightly uncomfortable about something. It's because your subconscious did it's thing and pushed something to the surface. Pay attention to what surfaces and ask yourself why it's there.

Or you could read it linearly like one of THEM.