Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Finally! Some Book Project Sneak Peeks…

One of the things our publisher does is have each of their authors create a short video about their book. A movie trailer of sorts – but for a book.

Book Cover Only

Artisan suggested we hire a little film/editing crew to do it, but like true DIYers we took it as a fun challenge to see how much we could do ourselves. So we came up with an outline, wrote a little script, hired a local video genius to shoot it for us (who also happens to be our brother in law) and edited it ourselves in Final Cut Pro back in March. And now that we’re two months away from the official book release date (Nov 6th, aka Election Day) we’re finally allowed to share it! Wahoo.

We had to finish the video so early because our publisher needed it for a spring sales conference in March, so as soon as we got back from Hawaii the pressure was on (see how bare the trees are in this pic?). Thankfully all of the projects were already finished for when we shot all of the book photography over three weeks at our house in February, so one day of shooting video and setting up little impromptu vignettes wasn’t too tricky. It was actually really fun.

Superlatives Video Shoot

The funniest thing is that we handed in our outline for all of the projects in the book about a year before this video was shot, so finally seeing the projects in real life in a polished format like this (since it was well before we saw any final book proofs) was kind of surreal. I guess it’s akin to baking a cake for a year or two and finally getting to taste it.

The weirdest part by far was recording our nerdy little voice over (while sitting in a closet using our iPhones) and layering that in there. Allow us to share this reenactment so you can picture it (Burger was playing the role of “Supervisor”):

Voice Over Record

And for those of you at work who can’t watch videos, here are a few still shots (there are a lot more sneak peeks of various projects in the video though):

Video Screen Shot1

Video Screen Shot5

Video Screen Shot7

Video Screen Shot8

Video Screen Shot9

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Video Screen Shot11

Video Screen Shot13

Video Screen Shot14

We’re so relieved to finally be able to reveal some of the projects in the book – even if it’s only a small portion for now. Thankfully in less than two months the book will be out (you can pre order it here) so all those kitties will be out of the bag. Can’t wait! Free the kitties!

Have you guys ever written a video script and attempted to make a somewhat polished little YouTube ditty? It’s kinda fun, right? The clothesline concept was all John’s – and we love how it allowed us to squeeze in a few bonus project peeks. I’d say previewing 15 projects in a little over a minute is pretty speedy, indeed. You know we like to cram stuff in there (slash are terrible secret keepers). Woot!

Comments

  2. Karen F says

    Sorry, but I had to comment again after watching the video. I’m glad I’m not the only reader who got teary, or I’d think I was weird. Love the video (and the projects you showed) – it’s so “you”. I feel like you guys have brought us all along on your journey with you and we’re finally getting to see what you’ve been working on! I know you’ve put your heart and soul into this book, and you seem like such genuinely nice people, and I am just SO happy for you!

    I also wanted to tell you that I am not the most decorating-savvy person, but you both have really inspired me to make small tweaks in my home to make it more homey. Thank you for sharing your lives and talents with the world. Love you guys!

    Reply

  6. Younee says

    Congratulations guys, I can’t wait to get the book when it releases. I have always been a silent reader and loyal follower to your blog. I am so excited for your new book.

    Reply

  12. Erika says

    WOW. Definitely on my “mommy wants for Christmas” list! You guys are top notch professional all the way – without the boredom and stuffiness. Totally approachable, friendly, NORMAL. LOVE your blog, will love this book. CONGRATULATIONS!

    Reply

  15. Aryn says

    Preordered on Amazon, I’m really excited to read the book! After reading your blog for so long it’s almost like personal friends of mine have written a book! Congrats!

    Reply

  17. Sarah says

    Y’all, the video looks awesome!! So professional and adorable, all at the same time. I love it. I can’t wait for your book!

    Reply

  18. Kate says

    I’m so excited for this book to come out! My boyfriend and I are trying to update/upgrade our apartment now that we are getting older. I can’t wait to see what I can try out!

    Reply

  19. Natalie @ barnesdailycircus says

    I pre-ordered your book fo-eva ago on Amazon, but just for fun, I went to see if you guys were ranked…HOLY COW!! You guys are still in pre-sales and are #67!!! CONGRATS!! Great news! So excited for you guys and can’t wait to get my grubby hands on it in the mail!!

    Reply

  20. angie webb says

    Amazing! I about died when I saw the red curtains – beautiful! Also, I made state/country art and love it – my husband was born in Maryland, I was born in Colombia, South America and our daughter was born in California. So fun to have it displayed together! :) Can’t wait for your book release!

    Reply

  21. Erin says

    May I ask a completely nosey question? Without reveling the particulars of course, are you compensated in advance from the publisher or x dollars on each book sold or both?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Books are a pretty standard thing, so if you’re a first time author you usually get a small to moderate advance (this is a one-time payment to write the book, since you spend a lot of time – in our case over two years – on that phase before it’s even printed). Then you have “royalties” which are a very small percentage of the profit of the book’s sales (you only get paid after the publisher makes their money back on printing and the advance they gave you, and after that they give you that small percentage for each book sold). So if a book bombs it’s possible to make zero royalties but if it does well you can get little checks a few times a year for that small percentage. Publishing is such a crazy world, so we’re still learning the ins and outs of everything!

      xo
      s

  24. Lisa R says

    GREAT video! Makes me want the book that much more. I put it on my b-day list (late October) and am willing to receive it as a late gift! Ya’ll did an amazing job.

    Reply

  25. Meg says

    Thanks for the update – even more excited for my pre-ordered copy to arrive!!! Can’t wait to start trying some of your suggested projects for myself.

    Reply

  26. Amy says

    If this isn’t the cutest thing in the world, I don’t know what is! Thank you both for all the inspiration and fun you bring to your readers- can’t WAIT for the book.

    Reply

  29. April says

    Love your DIY video and already have your book pre-ordered! I’m making a tutorial for work and was wondering what app you used to record your voices?

    April

    Reply

  31. Kelly says

    Ok, I have to admit, I read your blog every day, am a huge fan, and love you guys but I had zero interest in purchasing the book…until I saw this video! I told my hubby it’s the only item on my Christmas wishlist and he agreed to get it for me. :) You guys are such an inspiration. Thank you!

    Reply

  32. Brittany says

    UH-MAZING!!! love it guys : ) I cannot wait to get your book…I already have a spot in mind for it – on my ottoman in a pretty silver tray ; ). Ya know, if my house ever gets finished and I get to decorate and have you all over for a house crash!

    Reply

  33. Meredith Jones says

    I can’t even tell you how pumped I am for this book! I pre ordered the second you guys posted it was possible a few weeks ago. It looks amazeballs! :D

    Reply

  34. Deanna says

    OMGosh! I had my hubby preorder the book for me for my birthday and now it’s going to be even harder to wait for it’s arrival. Thanks for the sneak peek!

    Reply

  39. Kimberly says

    This is so cute! It made me giggle; you guys seemed like you were having such a good time :) I’m so happy for you two! You have worked so very hard, and I hope your book sells tons and tons and tons!

    Reply

  40. Nancie Crawford-Weil says

    Sure am glad I recently found your House Full of Love…my house was full of Hurricane Katrina 7 years ago & I am still wallering around on a concrete slab trying to get the 1st floor back into living condition. We had a 22-ft surge & 8 feet of water on lower floor & were trapped upstairs. It was like our house was a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, waves & all.

    To date we do most of our “living” upstairs as our motivation downstairs has waned over the years. I have completed my beautiful colonial staircase & mudroom (trim & all), but am still living with a “make-shift” kitchen & a barely functional downstairs filled with piles of my items that I salvaged from my house & yard. Katrina blew out the back wall downstairs & left piles of marsh-reeds in the house & yard. Using my handy “handrake” I painstakingly cleaned it all up sorting “inch by inch” & uncovered many of my lost treasures (it took months to do the backyard). Everyone thought I was crazy & said to just bulldoze it all away, but I knew many things could just be cleaned or refurbish—so I persevered in saving my memory-filled & heirloom items.

    Walking around your house has been a great inspiration. Now when I see things like my saltwater-soaked brass lamp with a marble base (that actually still works), thanks to you I can envision it all refurbished like you did your brass chandelier with Kilz primer & paint! You have given me many ideas including ways to refinishing salvaged furniture.

    Kudos to your website & the Love you put in it. Can’t wait for the book to come out & please know that Lots of Love is being sent back at you from me & my house through cyberspace!

    Reply

  42. Steph says

    Amazing! You guys are just too adorable! My favorite part was definitely the state art, sorry John, but you should know better than to mess with a Jersey girl about her state ;)
    The video was so perfectly YOU. I know it sounds weird since I’ve never met you guys, but I felt like it captured you perfectly, much better than if you had other people write it. So excited for the book :)

    Reply

  46. Kristina says

    OMG!!! For Project #168, is that paper you used? I literally used the same paper (from Michaels?) as the coster on the far right front, back in January to make coasters for myself and a friend (part of her Bridal Shower gift)! I have the book on preorder, can’t wait!

    Reply

  47. Heidi says

    Love the video! So cute :) I am DYING for your book to come out!!!! (Too much? lol) I love creating special crafts and projects for my home, it’s much more fun and meaningful than decorating with store-bought goodies. I’m sure I’m going to want to make every single thing! (sorry in advance BF!)

    Reply

  49. Elizabeth says

    CANNOT wait for your book!

    On another book note… Sherry, have you read “Let’s Pretend This Never Happened” by Jenny Lawson. I know you talked about her Beyonce chicken story a while ago. Her book is hilarious!

    Reply

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