Sign in

Austin Kleon

@austinkleon.bsky.social
4.7K followers 114 following 534 posts

I’m a writer who draws. Author of STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST and other bestsellers. www.austinkleon.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Manda M @bettesays.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I love @austinkleon.bsky.social's typewriter interviews and today's is a nice antidote to the timeline if you need one. Sidenote: Quiet floor time is so underrated. Unsurprisingly, I THRIVED in the Montessori preschool environment. austinkleon.substack.com/p/typewriter...
austinkleon.substack.com
Typewriter interview with Roman Muradov
10 questions for the artist about lying on the floor, lineage, cats & kettles, and more...
041
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
People precious about books as objects should have to work in a library or a bookstore for a week and see how many books get tossed
060
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I tried to get my 13-year-old to do this with the mammoth Steve Jobs biography he picked to read for class
030
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
0111
Reposted by Austin Kleon
amyalynx.bsky.social @amyalynx.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
...a few clues...
back cover of the book - Just Make Stuff: 1/throw out the instructions, 2/don't take things too seriously, 3/give yourself the space and materials, 4/permission to be bad, 5/Believe in Magic, 6/think outside your head, 7/Problems of output are problems of input, 8/Borrow a kid!, 9/Nothing is wasted, 10/you don't need a vision
041
Reposted by Austin Kleon
amyalynx.bsky.social @amyalynx.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
wonderful book... always a good time to make stuff, add some balance to life, let the fun factor be high ~
Don't Call it Art, 10 Ways to Create Like a Kid Again, book by Austin Kleon
141
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
060
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Only one I haven’t seen is THE LEFTOVERS? Guess I should get on that
170
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Levi Stahl @levistahl.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Best lines Don’t Look Back in Anger, remembered as accurately as I can manage: Liam: You have to care a lot to really not give a fuck. Noel: You write a song & someone hears it & puts it in their life & says, that’s mine now. That’s what you want.
171
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Clayton Cubitt @claytoncubitt.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
a better world is possible
081
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Phillip Maciak @pjmaciak.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Annie Dillard was a Pittsburgher like me. I wanted to be a writer, in high school, and when I read PILGRIM for class, it changed my understanding of what being a writer could be. I remember being caught off guard by how funny she was, and how elegantly that could modulate into revelation. Thank you.
092
Reposted by Austin Kleon
The Rumpus @therumpus.net · 08/08/2026
"I’ve never felt like having kids and making art were that different because you don’t know where any of it’s going. There’s this vast uncertainty to it..." Collin Mitchell interviews @austinkleon.bsky.social about Don't Call It Art (@tarcherbooks.bsky.social). ➡️ buff.ly/QyelfmI
The cited information but not the quote written in white at the bottom of Kleon's author photo. In the lower lefthand corner is the book cover for Don't Call It Art with the full Rumpus logo over top
083
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I love how my boys don’t have any hangups about stuff I would’ve turned my nose up at when I was their age — in the car today we played a little game of “tell me when you hear Michael McDonald” with “Ride Like The Wind” and “Peg” 😂
2160
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
MASTER AND COMMANDER feels to me like many of my favorite experiences with art, where you begin with bewilderment — “WTF is this?” — and maybe even annoyance, but something keeps pulling you back so you just give yourself over to it, and eventually you lock in and you’re hooked
0160
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Mid-life bromance reading continues
0100
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Levi Stahl @levistahl.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Who asks you to form an opinion? —John Stuart Mill, letter
061
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Joe Regan @jregan.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Sorta knew about this but there was more or less (with exceptions) a two year gap in recorded music in the US from 1942-1944 due to a musicians union strike against the record companies over royalties. This Wikipedia entry touches on it but the mind boggles at what must have been lost.
en.wikipedia.org
1942–1944 musicians' strike - Wikipedia
121
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Deb Chachra @debcha.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I need to spend a lot of time at my desk for the next few weeks, so I have the second-screen portal open to my favourite virtual co-working companions, the salmon-fishing bears of Katmai National Park: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Zr...
youtube.com
LIVE Brooks Falls - Katmai National Park, Alaska 2026 | explore.org
YouTube video by Explore Live Nature Cams
0141
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I’ve seen COMMANDO a hundred times and never noticed this dude in the airport
150
Reposted by Austin Kleon
James Kochalka Superstar @kochalka.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
I was delighted to see American Elf get mentioned in Don't Call it Art by @austinkleon.bsky.social Unfortunately, the publisher no longer sells the American Elf books, not even the digital editions. However, I post new American Elf fairly regularly over here: patreon.com/kochalka
...AND OTHER THINGS.
• AMERICAN ELF: THE COLLECTED SKETCHBOOK DIARIES
OF JAMES KOCHALKA
• BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING, A 2012 DOCUMENTARY
ABOUT WAYNE WHITE
• TOVE JANSSON'S MOOMIN COMICS
• "SAUL STEINBERG WITH HIS SIX-YEAR-OLD SELF,"
PHOTO BY EVELYN HOFER
• A BRIEF HISTORY OF JOHN BALPESSARI, SHORT FILM
• "PLAY IT LiKE YOUR HAiR'S ON FIRE"
2002 GQ PROFILE OF TOM WAITS BY ELIZABETH GILBERT
• THE TV SHOW BLUEY
• FLEA'S MONOLOGUE IN THE OTHER F WORD
• SU SHI'S 1,000 - YEAR-OLD POEM,
"ON THE BIRTH OF HIS SON"
0261
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Re: Wilson vs Nolan
0101
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Tricia Lockwood @tricialockwood.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
I maintain that if adults read wishes, lies and dreams and rose, where did you get that red by kenneth koch it would improve their metaphor literacy by 1000%
2413
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Tricia Lockwood @tricialockwood.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
ohhhhhh this is so completely my scene!
5947
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Birmingham 81 @birmingham81.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Happy 45th birthday to Love Action by the Human League, released as a single on this day in 1981
1017338
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 16/07/2026
Ideally, you should read this article on an IMAX 70mm screen. www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/wor...
merriam-webster.com
Words from the 'Odyssey'
524834
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
“Will every single item on this week’s list refer, somehow, to The Odyssey? Yes, my friends…” austinkleon.substack.com/p/choose-you...
austinkleon.substack.com
Choose your own Odyssey
10 things worth sharing this week
080
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
“There’s a lot to be said for making people laugh.”
091
Reposted by Austin Kleon
jesse jarnow @bourgwick.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
60 years ago today, the monks on beat club. www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
youtube.com
The Monks - Beat Club 1966 - YouTube
Beat Club (Bremen, Germany) July 16 1966: Boys Are Boys and Girls Are Choice Monk Chant Oh How to Do Now Aula Gymnasium (Frankfurt, Germany) October 6 1966: ...
0365
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Jason Adams @jamnpp.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
I FOUND ONE!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MEEEEE
2605
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Meg, upon hearing this news: “Recession indicator!” 😂
260
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
020
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
I did this when I was 9 and it rules
0180
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Big mood
060
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Clayton Cubitt @claytoncubitt.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Me after doing five minutes of yard work in New Orleans
static.klipy.com
James Brown Sweating During Live Performance
Alt: James Brown Sweating During Live Performance
1131
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
This is one of THE major issues that comes up when my wife edits stuff from academics who are trying to reach a general audience
090
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Another great typewriter interview in today’s letter austinkleon.substack.com/p/typewriter...
austinkleon.substack.com
Typewriter interview with Vijay Gupta
10 questions for the violinist and author about music, practicing with joy, and being "on the hook”
261
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
The best thing I’ve read this year is Willa Cather’s DEATH COMES FOR THE ARCHBISHOP The best thing I’ve read this year that mentions Willa Cather’s DEATH COMES FOR THE ARCHBISHOP is the latest @tricialockwood.bsky.social www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
lrb.co.uk
Patricia Lockwood · Diary: A Tradcath Wedding
Recently​ I had an opportunity to check in on the state of American Catholicism. The occasion was a tradcath wedding...
2141
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
static.klipy.com
Zoolander: Who's Winning the Match?
ALT: Zoolander: Who's Winning the Match?
061
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
probably once a week I think about this line from @tricialockwood.bsky.social's NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THIS: "You’ll be nostalgic for all this, too, if you make it."
1100
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
Happy Fourth of July you
0312
Austin Kleon @austinkleon.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
They obviously don’t read the same astrology websites m’lady does 👀
130
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Jack H Christal-Gattanella @jackherbert.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
One of my favorite shots of all time
5574
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Christelle Maris @chhhmaris.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I’ve started reading @austinkleon.bsky.social’s new book, “Don’t Call It Art”, and it’s wonderful as always. I feel that it’s entering my life at the perfect time, I need to remember to just have fun. 👌🏻
051
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Emily Yaskowitz @emilyyaskowitz.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
@austinkleon.bsky.social Made Me Want to Make Things Again
open.substack.com
Austin Kleon Made Me Want to Make Things Again
9 things I learned from Don’t Call It Art about making bad art, wasting things, and finding my creative energy again
071
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Doug Messel @dougmessel.com · 17/06/2026
if you haven't read @austinkleon.bsky.social's new book "don't call it art" yet, go buy it. it's good. i read it over the weekend and immediately just started doing shit even though my inner critic said "this is goofy" bookshop.org/p/books/don-...
bookshop.org
Don't Call It Art: 10 Ways to Create Like a Kid Again
10 Ways to Create Like a Kid Again
161
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Roz Morris @rozmorris.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
I've followed Joanna Penn & @austinkleon.bsky.social for more than a decade, and here they are, talking together about longlived creative careers and keeping the joy www.thecreativepenn.com/2026/06/08/d... #publishing #authorlife #writinglife #writingcommunity
thecreativepenn.com
Don’t Call It Art: Rediscovering Creative Joy With Austin Kleon | The Creative Penn
Have you ever lost the joy in your creative work — that sense of fun you had when you were starting out, before the admin and the algorithms drained it away? How do mid-career creatives get it back, a...
0101
Reposted by Austin Kleon
TCHQ Communications @tchqcommunications.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Some books you read once. @austinkleon.bsky.social "Steal Like an Artist" I've read several times in 13 years and gifted to half the creative people I know. His new book, "Don't Call It Art," is out, and I'm digging into it this week. It's worth your time: amzn.to/4fHCq8J
061
Reposted by Austin Kleon
David @dcarew.com · 11/06/2026
I stopped by a local bookstore this afternoon to pick up a copy of @austinkleon.bsky.social ‘s new book
Don’t Call It Art: 10 ways to create like a kid again by Austin Kleon. It is a square book with a pink cover
081
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Chris DiLeo @authordileo.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Great interview @austinkleon.bsky.social “Get silly!” podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
podcasts.apple.com
444 | Don't Call It Art with Austin Kleon
Podcast Episode · Proof to Product · June 2 · 33m
011
Reposted by Austin Kleon
Phillip Maciak @pjmaciak.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
I've taught PERSEPOLIS (book & movie) more times than I can count. Two epic masterpieces, but, more than that, two texts that find their way to young people. I've never had a class that didn't *get* PERSEPOLIS, and that's a miracle of its own. Satrapi's voice and imagination are so alive. RIP.
little Marjane in bed talking to a giant bearded god in the clouds
7604132