Austin Kleon, author of the New York Times bestseller Steal Like an Artist, will release his fourth book, Don’t Call It Art, on June 2, 2026. The new perform, inspired by his experiences as a “studio assistant” to his two young sons, aims to help readers rediscover their creativity.
Kleon announced the upcoming release in a recent newsletter to subscribers, detailing the book’s origins and offering signed, personalized copies through the Austin, Texas bookstore BookPeople. He will also include original drawings in the pre-ordered copies, a practice he has employed with his previous books.
Don’t Call It Art is described as a “creative liberation handbook” intended to encourage readers to view the world with fresh eyes and “unlearn what you’ve learned,” according to Penguin Random House. The book offers ten lessons Kleon gleaned from observing his children’s creative processes, focusing on fostering a playful and uninhibited approach to making.
In his newsletter, Kleon referenced C. Thi Nguyen’s recent book, The Score: How To Stop Playing Somebody Else’s Game, noting its exploration of the dynamics of games and hobbies. He also highlighted a documentary, Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching, as an example of how scoring systems can sometimes overshadow the inherent joy of a pastime.
Kleon’s previous books – Steal Like an Artist, Demonstrate Your Work! and Keep Going – have collectively sold nearly two million copies and been translated into 30 languages. He also authored Newspaper Blackout, a collection of poems created by redacting newspaper text with a permanent marker.
The author shared a quote from philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah, stating, “In life, the challenge is not so much to figure out how best to play the game; the challenge is to figure out what game you’re playing.” Kleon suggests that success lies in playing the game one wants to play, in the way one wants to play it.
Kleon also mentioned the concept of “unclenching,” as described by Oliver Burkeman, as a technique for managing anxiety and uncertainty. He encouraged readers to “unclench” and embrace a more relaxed approach to life and creative endeavors.
The release of Don’t Call It Art comes at a time when Kleon believes curiosity, wonder, freedom, fun, humor, imperfection, and magic are particularly needed. He expressed his excitement about sharing the book, stating that those who enjoyed his previous works would likely appreciate this one as well.
