Bearding a creative lion

We’re all about inspirational crossfertilisation here in the tangled gardens of Miscellany Manors. Which is why we’re excited to hear that Def Jam Records founder Rick Rubin’s first book will be all about harnessing your creativity. It’s called The Creative Act: A Way of Being, which is very appropriate because he knows what he’s talking about. Rick’s publisher Canongate says that it gives ‘revelatory insight into doing great stuff.’ Something Rick has a long track history of. He started Def Jam when he was a teenager. He’s released seminal tracks by Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, LL Cool-J, Run DMC and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He’s one of the most influential producers in the music industry. He revived the career of American country hero Johnny Cash with 1994’s American Recordings. He refuses to work in an office. His beard is a work of art in its own right. If you follow him on Instagram you’ll already know about his inspirational quotes on creativity – there’s usually only one up on his feed at a time.

‘I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art,’ said Rick in a statement. ‘Instead it revealed itself to be a book on how to be.’ It’ll be published in 2023 and we can’t wait.

• Firmly in the creative cool corner with Rick Rubin, WM’s favourite punk publishers Fahrenheit Press have demonstrated their usual savvy awareness of the value of merch with their new notebooks – hip, snarky and very cool in their stylish black jackets. You can choose between Bookish Weirdo (hands up – that’s most of us) and Kill Your Darlings (‘In our opinion it’s the best piece of writing advice ever given,’ says head honcho

Chris McVeigh). What could be better for making notes for anything noir?