Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress

INSTANT BESTSELLER!

Funny, conversational, and relatable, Try Hard is for anyone looking to make sense of their own creative pursuit or bring more creativity into their life, offering a framework for how to do it and where to begin.

Let’s say you see a familiar musician from a globe-trotting, touring band hanging out at your local coffee shop, reading the newspaper and typing away on his laptop. This doesn’t look like a musician at work. He seems approachable enough, so you ask him what exactly he does all day. With a grin on his face, he admits the job might not be what you think. So you take a seat, and ask him every question you’ve ever had about how it all works: the nuts and bolts of writing a song, preparing for a show, marketing a band, and the day-to-day business of a creative life.

With each answer—none of it about talent—you realize this musician is a bit of a…try hard. And the mystery of being a creative person isn’t actually mysterious at all: it’s just exploring ideas with an enthusiastic and determined curiosity. Over and over.

Max is that musician in the coffee shop, and this is what reading Try Hard feels like: one-of-a-kind tales from a dynamic frontman, and a companion to your own creative work in progress. With a brick-by-brick attitude, Max explores his own growth in the craft of storytelling and performance, the pleasure to be found in collaboration, and the creative spirit required in sharing your art.

MAX KERMAN is the frontman of the multiplatinum, award-winning touring band Arkells. Try Hard is his first book.

ISBN: 9780735248854
Format: Hardback
Pages: 240
Publisher: Penguin Canada
Published: April 22, 2025

“Max Kerman's Try Hard is the book I wish I had when I was starting out in my career. It answers all of the questions I wish I could have asked my favourite musicians about how this whole music thing works. I was making music for ten years before my first major record and have constantly been faced with the challenge of turning every 'no' into an opportunity to push forward. It doesn't matter where you are in your creative pursuits, the challenge remains the same: how do you keep going and, most importantly, how do you keep it fun, fresh, and exciting? Max offers a hilarious, relatable, and incredibly insightful perspective on his life, his music career, and his creative process, and explores how you can take control of your own creative journey and start turning your dreams into reality.” —Michael Bublé, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter

“Try Hard is a sharp, sincere guide to forging a life in the arts—a playbook for any kind of creative looking for a spark. With effortless charm and rare candor, Max Kerman hammers out a refreshingly honest book about his journey from ambitious college kid to fearless frontman of Arkells, excavating the ups and downs of a career in music with grace and humility most in his position have long since lost. He may be a 'try hard,' but it takes real hustle to win in this world and he’s written a guide for how you can too.” —Tegan Quin, of multiplatinum duo Tegan and Sara and bestselling co-author of High School

“Try Hard is an intricate look at what makes Max Kerman tick. There are many lessons to be learned from his book, but learning lessons doesn't sound fun enough when you’re talking about Max. Everything he does involves passion and a damn good time. Try Hard is for musicians and their fans, entrepreneurs and their teams, educators and their students. Max weaves hard work, creativity, and leadership into his book seamlessly, while bringing people together and strengthening the community around him.” —Nick Nurse, head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers and NBA Champion

“I like Max. He’s a beautifully kind person. Storytelling isn’t that hard if you’re honest with yourself. This book shines with honesty and sheds light on how to do life your way. I’m proud of people that build their own worlds and celebrate the true success that comes when you create a path and stick to it. This book is another path that Max has written. Take a walk with my buddy.” —Matty Matheson, world renowned chef and #1 bestselling author of Soups, Salads, Sandwiches

“What Max Kerman offers in Try Hard is a full-throated defense of showing up as yourself, finding your people, and letting good things happen to you. This is an open-hearted book, a tender account of holding on to your sincerity while trying to make your own luck. There is a careful balance here: yes, it's true that you never know if it's going to work out—but it's even more true that it certainly won't work out unless you try, and try hard. Max has a keen understanding of how to bring a hungry heart to the table, and how to make it work for you.” —Elamin Abdelmahmoud, culture writer and bestselling author of Son of Elsewhere