Amazon. Amazon UK. Barnes & Noble. 800 CEO Read.
In this era of everybody talking about the latest shiny app or the latest shiny billionaire, I decided to write a book about blogging, and why it matters: “Freedom Is Blogging In Your Underwear”.
[From the intro:]
In May of last year, my blog, gapingvoid.com, turned ten years old.
Having a blog, a voice, having my own media, utterly changed my life. Suddenly my career as a cartoonist wasn’t dependent on other people: the “gatekeepers” — publishers, editors, Hollywood executives, etc., etc.
Suddenly I had direct contact with my audience. They had direct contact with me. I could just do my thing, without having to wait for somebody else to give me the “green light,” somebody else to write a check. I didn’t have to wait around for somebody else to deem me “worthy” …
This gave me the freedom I spent most of my adult life searching for, the same freedom I believe we’re ALL searching for, in one way or another.
Careerwise, blogging gave me everything. Even in the early days, the benefits of blogging were so glaringly obvious to me that I couldn’t understand why more people weren’t doing it. Ten years later, I still can’t. So I decided to write a book about it; maybe I could help other people find this freedom, too.
Like I said, I’m a cartoonist. I don’t consider myself a “blogging professional.” I don’t consider myself a “social media authority.” That being said, I believe my experience as one of the very early visual artists to totally establish their careers via this wonderful new medium might help folks understand not only how powerful blogging is, but WHY it’s powerful and WHY it matters. And once you can understand this, I believe, your life will be quickly transformed, same as mine was.
[If you’re going to Twitter about it, please use hashtag #FreedomIsBlogging. Thanks!]
The New Republic
Len Schlesinger
Seth Godin
Brian Clark
Congratulations Hugh,
I hope it will be a similar success like all the other books you have created — it’s a kick-ass message to spread, as I’m DEEPLY in luv with blogging myself.
Godspeed
Very nice concept to your blog this is super cool. I am new to blogging and you just gave me a breath of fresh air. Thanks buddy
I believe it. It’s nice to express yourself even if no one is looking.
That was ‘fun’tastic. I’ve always loved reading your blog and seeing your cartoons. This title of your new book is kickass. Inspired by people like you and Seth Godin, I’ve started my new blog http://bethepurplecow.tumblr.com.
Thanks a lot.
I admire you sincerely.
KP
Mine just shipped! Can’t wait to read it.
Bought this book yesterday and read it in my underwear. I enjoyed most of it, but my favorite parts were:
(1) The internet eats the “ignorance premium” for breakfast
(2) Four Beacons (I learned about Austin Kleon from this part and bought his book “Steal Like An Artist” the same day I got Hugh’s book…and also read it in my underwear.
Thanks Hugh
I shall “blog like the wind”
Brilliant.
Thank you
Lucky
Love, love, love the book. You’re an inspiration, Hugh, and a gift to creatives everywhere. You inspired me to take my cartoons straight to my blog, rather than waiting for the so-called ‘gatekeepers’.
Congrats on the book Hugh. I’ve just finished reading it and you’ve got me really fired up not just for blogging, but also for business in general.
Oh and also I hear you’re engaged. Big additional congrats!! x