[The book jacket- click on image to enlarge etc.]
My book, “Ignore Everybody” hits the bookstores on June 11th.
[You can download two PDF sample chapters here for free etc.]
Barnes & Noble.
800-CEO-READ. [great for bulk buys]
IndieBound. [to find an independent store]
The book has been a long time coming. What started out as a series of blog posts in 2004, took on a life of its own.
In a hundred years I’ll be dead. So will you. Before that time comes, I want to keep asking the question, “How do we make the world a more fun, meaningful, loving, creative place?” This book is part of that.
I can’t think of a better way to spend the remaining time God has given me on this planet, frankly. You?
[The Official Publisher’s Blurb for the book:]
When Hugh MacLeod was a struggling young copywriter, living in a YMCA, he started to doodle on the backs of business cards while sitting at a bar. Those cartoons eventually led to a popular blog – gapingvoid.com – and a reputation for pithy insight and humor, in both words and pictures.
MacLeod has opinions on everything from marketing to the meaning of life, but one of his main subjects is creativity. How do new ideas emerge in a cynical, risk-averse world? Where does inspiration come from? What does it take to make a living as a creative person?
Now his first book, Ignore Everyone, expands on his sharpest insights, wittiest cartoons, and most useful advice. A sample:
* Selling out is harder than it looks. Diluting your product to make it more commercial will just make people like it less.
* If your plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail. Nobody suddenly discovers anything. Things are made slowly and in pain.
* Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether. There’s no point trying to do the same thing as 250,000 other young hopefuls, waiting for a miracle. All existing business models are wrong. Find a new one.
* The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours. The sovereignty you have over your work will inspire far more people than the actual content ever will.
After learning MacLeod’s 40 keys to creativity, you will be ready to unlock your own brilliance and unleash it on the world.
About the Author
Hugh MacLeod worked as an advertising copywriter for more than a decade, while developing his skills as a cartoonist and pundit. His blog is Gaping Void, and more than a million people have downloaded the original post that inspired this book, “How To Be Creative.” He also lectures and consults on Web 2.0 and its impact on business.
Congratulations, Hugh! And keep asking the good questions.
Hi Hugh- Looking forward to meeting you at SXSW!
Hugh, Well put … Would love to see audio/video of the panel discussion from SXSW this weekend. Cheers and thanks for making me think .. Dan in Toronto
I used to feel bad about concentrating on making it a more fun, loving & meaningful place for *myself* first…
Until I realized that by *being* fun and loving, other people had more fun and were more loving back.
So now, all day long I try to make people laugh and feel energized by being around me (I even try to curse funny when I’m mad).
Can’t wait for the book, Hugh!
Appreciate you asking the question. Our community will help you find the answers! Thanks for what you do!
MY whole life and its work changed as soon as I realised that framing everything through the lens of other people and therefore their benefits was the secret.
Before that it was a complete fucking mess, a disaster and unrewarding.
The void taught me; taught me well.
Yay Hugh! Congrats on the new book, looking forward to its release!
Will your book be available for the Kindle? Thanks!
Any discounts for your “tribe” 🙂 ?
I can’t wait for the book Hugh. The world wouldn’t be worth living in without doodles and art and beauty. You are inspiration.
I can’t wait for the book Hugh. The world wouldn’t be worth living in without doodles and art and beauty. You are an inspiration.
Hugh, I clicked on the link leading to your book’s page at Barnes and Noble. And it says on the synopsis that the book’s called “Ignore Everyone”. Isn’t it “Ignore Everybody”?
awesome news, i’ll try to pick up a copy. What i’d prefer to hear from SXSW, rather than ‘turning blogs into book deals’ is ‘how to use the social media to do it all yourself’ which is what i’m doing at the moment with my first novel at http://www.operationconcrete.com
self formed, collaborative media project to launch and self publish my first novel using people and a bit of money. I feel ‘how to get a book deal out of a blog’ feels a bit old already,
Already pre-ordered my copy of the book. Can’t wait to get my hands on it. Also, see you in Austin! Best!
I’ve had mine preordered since day one! Can’t wait… and congrats again Hugh! Have fun at SXSW
Dropped by to learn by observing how you build buzz for a ‘to be published’ book (since I’m working on three of my own!)
Will look forward to hearing some parts of the panel on ‘Blogs to Book Proposals’ too, sounds very interesting.
Downloaded your 2 sample chapters to read, too 🙂
All success
Dr.Mani
Hey liking the sleeve, hope the panel goes well, looking forward to the write ups
Selling your book on my blog via Amazon (27 clicks so far)
I’m going to read the book, just because I like your work, but the Amazon blurb is clearly in a voice other than yours. Unless, of course, you got 40 virgins with those keys to creativity.
Best wishes. Sounds like a must read. And then read again and apply.