The Starving Artist's Survival Guide (Paperback)

~ (Author), Laurie Lindop (Author), Paul Weil (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Born from dreary conversation about the artist's plight, Taylor and Lindrop's handbook is brimming with useful tips and delightfully rueful observations for struggling artists who "have slept in closets . . and haven't been to the dentist since the Clinton administration." Rejection dogs most artists'heels, so this handy little manual appropriately starts with that, categorizing the various types of rejection letters from the "don't even bother" to the "apologetic diss," most of which end with subscription pitches adding insult to injury. For those whose art manages to actually see the light of day, a section on reviews and critics (from "gonzo" to "cannibal") helpfully includes suggestions on how supportive friends can provide encouragement to the skewered artist--that is, claiming that "taste is a relative thing." The authors'breezy wit and ironic observations may actually help those dressed in hot dog suits and handing out flyers to pay the rent on infested walk-ups next to crack houses feel less isolated and more empowered--or at least more inclined to laughter. Whitney Scott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

A Blackened Chicken Soup for the Artistic Soul

Passion, humiliation, and depravity are the cornerstones of the artistic spirit. How else to rationalize one's deliberate choice to face a life of unsigned rejection letters, calls from worried parents and collection agencies, and cups and cups of ramen noodles? Being a noble artiste is a rough gig. It's one part denial, one part masochism. And it gets all the respect of being a fry cook, without the convenient minimum wage. Only a fool would agree to such soul crushing -- until now.

The Starving Artist's Survival Guide boldly reassures both the dreamer and the doer that you are not alone. Regardless of whether you are a painter, a poet, a musician, a writer, an actor, or simply paralyzed by an English lit or fine arts degree, help has arrived. Topics include the pros and cons of various artistic day jobs ("People love clowns, except for the 80 percent who want to beat them up and the 20 percent who do"), coping with form-letter rejections through the healing power of haikus ("You, blinking red light, / A call back from my agent? / No, just goddamn Mom"), a survey of artists' dwellings (from the romanticized loft to Mama's rent-free attic), and most important, "Holding On: Ten Good Reasons to Keep Your Head out of the Oven."

Both celebrating and satirizing the pretentious poor, The Starving Artist's Survival Guide recognizes that the best way to cope with self-inflicted poverty is with unbarred humor, not macramé and coupon clipping.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment; Original edition (November 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416908269
• ISBN-13: 978-1416908265
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #439,878 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly entertaining., May 2, 2006

By	J. Kennedy (KS United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book mostly as a kind of joke. Most of my friends and I classify ourselves as starving artists, so I thought this book would, at the very least, be an eery window into our lives.

What I got was not just a mildly amusing look at the life of the stereotypcal "starving artist," but in many cases, I was laughing out loud. Not only that, but the authors have infused wonderful accounts of real artists as examples for the various topics they discuss. Even though much of the advice is light-hearted and probably not meant to be taken too literally, there's a good portion of it that is as useful as it is entertaining.

What started out as a book I bought on a whim became a book that I have declared one of the best books I've ever read. Okay, that may be a bit melodramatic, but I'm an artist...aren't I entitled? ;-)

Bottom line? If you are an artist or know an artist who has ever struggled, GET THIS BOOK...if nothing else, you'll have a few laughs and your lack of success (and quarters for laundry) won't seem quite as grim.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who is or knows an artist!, November 16, 2005

By	Anne D. Greenbaum - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A funny look a the nitty gritty issues of life mixed with facts about what the (now) famous did in similiar situations. Lots of fun (& sometimes helpful) suggestions for handling everything from critiques to living situations. Great fun to read!

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars dark humor, thought provoking, February 13, 2007

By	Moundshroud (Across the ravine...) - See all my reviews

I too, bought this book thinking it was light humor. It's much more than that even though I laughed out loud several times reading it. Much of the humor is dark and thought provoking. I saw my own predicament in many of the descriptions. I recommend it to any creative person.