It’s Tuesday afternoon, which means it’s high time for some over-sharing (aw yeah, let’s talk about feelings, shall we?). The very first hot-off-the-presses copy of our book arrived via Fed Ex yesterday and it kind of melted my brain a little, I think.
We couldn’t stop beaming at it and saying things like “It’s real! It has pages! It has a cover! It has our names on it!” – but I’d be lying if I said that “crazy-pants excited” was my only response to seeing it there on the floor looking all real and book-like.
I’m also skeered. Really scared actually.
And since I’ve spilled my guts about 14 months of breast feeding, owned up to a bunch of my unglamorous $herdog quirks, and even a copped to a beyond embarrassing teenage moment caught on video with a certain platinum-haired rapper, I’m cool with dropping this whole “jittery sweaty-palmed fear is actively happening” truth bomb. I mean I think I can be described as a lot of things, but I wouldn’t call myself especially brave. I have normal insecurities and self-doubts and all that. The book is a really big thing, so it feels especially scary. And for some reason I thought that pouring my heart out in a little online ditty could be the emotional equivalent to owning it (and perhaps others who’ve struggled with similar things might chime in and make me feel less weird). So here it goes.
I think it’s one thing to keep an online DIY diary for the world to read for free, but somehow putting out a book that then exists in the universe forever feels a lot more intimidating. Sure it’s hardly a high-profile thriller or much anticipated non-fiction, but there’s something crazy about not just being able to toss up an update if there’s a sentence that’s unclear or a typo that sneaks through like we do on the blog. The words that we wrote in that manuscript back in 2011 are printed and soon they’ll be on a shelf. Lots of shelves. And it just feels a lot more weighty and permanent.
Plus people have to pay for it. We worked darn hard to keep the price down, and even though books are returnable or re-sellable (and we got on our publisher’s last nerve to keep that price down) it still feels a lot… bigger. More complicated than a blog post by about 500 percent. I mean it’s 336 pages long with 243 suggestions/tips/projects, so it’s sort of like secretly writing 243 different posts and then publishing them all at once for a fee and then not getting to update or edit them if anything about any of them calls for a little note. Wait, it’s not sort of like that, it’s exactly like that. Maybe that’s why it feels a lot scarier.
It was also pretty intimidating to plan the entire book over three years. Finalizing the outline a year and a half in advance (that’s when we pinned down every last project) and shooting all the projects nearly a year ago (in an epic three week marathon at our house where neither of us remember eating or sleeping) was definitely like nothing we’ve ever done.
It was nerve-wracking in that “what if we regret these color or fabric choices later?” kind of way.
I’ve even had nightmares that there were typos on every page, chunks of blank pages, and even a particularly vivid one about some fictitious magazine that somehow recreated every last one of our projects identically (same exact fabrics and colors!) and scooped us by publishing them before our book came out. Oh yeah, my brain can go a little nuts whirring away while I’m laying in bed thinking of all the ways this endeavor could make me want to crawl under the covers a la Burger:
But this little freak-out fest does have a silver lining. The thing that I feel the most – even stronger that the jitters and self-doubt – is actually gratitude and pride. Not “I’m an author, look at me” pride, just “wow we actually did this” pride. Sometimes I can’t believe that I somehow convinced myself (and John) to put ourselves out there and write a book. Knowing that just like our blog not everyone will love it, and that’s ok. Blogging has taught is that we can’t please all of the people all of the time, so we want to focus on the positive and amazing aspects of this experience. Whenever I’m feeling especially clammy I just remind myself that there hasn’t been a single book on the planet that was beloved by everyone who ever read it (some of my faves have 5-star reviews as well as 1-star ones) so that helps me let go of that “be perfect or you suck!” voice in the back of my mind. Imperfect = real life. Like this crazy seconds-from-a-paw-yank family photo from last week:
So you can find me hiding under the covers with Burger when I get that guts-in-knots feeling, but don’t get me started about how excited I am for the tour. I know meeting you guys will be awesome and I’m literally giddy with excitement to thank you guys in person for the love you’ve shown us. And speaking of the tour, they added four more signings! Woot.
You can see more general tour info on our book page (just click the tour dates button), but here’s the news that we have so far on the new dates:
- RIDGEWOOD, NJ: Friday, November 2, 7pm – Bookends, 211 Ridgewood Ave, book signing. More info here.
- WASHINGTON, DC: Saturday, December 1st, Time TBD – Living Social, 918 F Street, Talk, holiday crafting, and book signing. More details to be released here.
- RICHMOND, VA: Sunday, December 2nd, 1pm – Mongrel, 2924 W. Cary Street, book signing. Store information here.
- CHARLOTTE, NC: Early February. Other details TBD
*There’s also serious talk about an Atlanta stop while we’re nearby in Charlotte, so we’ll keep you posted! And of course other places like Philly & Cali are still being chatted about. We wish we had more control over what cities we’re hitting! It really is all about who invites us where (so it has nothing to do with how big a city is, it’s all about if a certain vendor or bookstore works with the dates/times/etc).
Anyway, thanks to you guys for being so excited and supportive about this whole crazy book journey! It’s kind of a big deal in our little lives, and you’re just the best readers ever. So in return we’re burning the midnight oil to churn out a bunch of projects for ya (even when we’re slipping through 20 cities we’ll be doing our best to blog at our regular pace, with lots of secretly stockpiled makeovers & projects of ours along with house crashing & window shopping adventures a plenty). Not to mention that we have another before-and-after-fest in the hopper for you tomorrow.
Not sure how to end this ramble-fest, so… word to your motha. $herdog out.
Leslie says
Yay! So glad you’re coming to Portlandia!
Jessica G. says
I hope your nerves don’t take away too much from your excitement. This book is such a huge accomplishment, and look at all the supporters you’ve got rooting for you! I for one can’t wait to pick up my copy and meet you at the NYC event. :)
Lexie says
Another request for a star right in the middle of that map! Kansas loves YHL!!!
If all else fails, Austin, here we come!
Sharon says
Hi Sherry, Just getting around to reading your post today. Thanks for being so open with us. I subscribe to “notes from the Universe” in my email every day. Some are super corn ball, but mostly, they inspire me and those that do I save. Here’s one that helps me whenever I do something I consider “risky” or “challenging” in that scary kind of way.
“When you move, I move. When you reach, I reach. And when you go the extra mile, I clear the way. But not a moment sooner. Which is why before you move, reach, and go, things sometimes look so scary.
Just like that,
The Universe”
Congrats on your book and for continuing to do things even when they’re scary. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sharon!
xo,
s
Koliti says
Skeered-ness…maybe a little stage-fright? You are going to have the MOST AMAZING RIDE on your book tour. The nervous feeling is a good thing, then you power through to the FUN!and GOOFY-CRAZY times!
And just think…all of us weird, um WONDERFUL, readers will be up close and personal! (eeek! But in a GOOD way)
It’ll be like YHL has gone 3-D! The LOVE will be coming at ya! (just remember the hand sanitizer – ha ha!)
All of the thought, hard work, and love that you & John have put into your book is TOTALLY worth the price.
So get out of your head (you’re thinking toooo much – and sometimes your head can be a very skeery place). Do what you do best and be yourselves – it’s a winning combination!
Amber says
Hello YHL! I had signed up to attend your NYC signing at FLOR, and just noticed you added a stop to Ridgewood, NJ (which happens to be less than 10 minutes from my house!) Any idea how I can de-register for the NYC signing, I don’t want to hold up a spot on the registration for some other lucky attendee.! Thanks, and see you guys in November!
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe try calling or emailing to see? Not sure how it works!
xo,
s
amy marie says
I so wish I could come see you guys. I debated (internally) how i could swing the 5 hours of driving to and fro the day before my half marathon but realistically it won’t work. (I’m sure John can appreciate this as a runner.) Hopefully I get to meet you some other time and show the gratitude that we have as your readers; my book is already on pre-order. Hope your kickoff to the book tour is more phenominal than you anticipate. Thanks for being awesome, it makes reading and following way more fun. =)
amy
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Amy!!
xo,
s
Emily @ LaForce Be With You says
So PUMPED you are coming to Charlotte now! I’ll be there with bells on! Maybe you will even have time to stop by the lovely Mary Jo’s for future projects :)
Patti Petkosek says
I’ve been following your blog for a few years and I’m so excited about your book! And so happy for all of your success! I recently moved to London so I’ll check to see if the local bookstore will order your book. Maybe it’ll be a hit over here ~ there are certainly plenty of DIY projects to be done on these old houses. Then you’ll have to come to the UK for a book tour. Wishing you continued success!!!
Brooke Neuerman says
I can’t WAIT for the Cinci first stop this Saturday! My husband and I are BIG fans and are driving from Indianapolis – yay ! :)
Margaret says
So excited for your two DC stops!! I’ll be the nerdy short person who might blurt out something embarassing! Wish you guys the best, this is an awesome accomplishment, and you deserve so much success! And heck, I’ve been reading for long enough, time for me to pony up! :) Can’t wait to get two copies – one for me and one for my bff.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Margaret!
xo,
s
Pam says
I just pre-ordered 2 copies — one for a Christmas gift and one for myself. You really should check out your Amazon ranking. Don’t be skeered; you should be extremely proud!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Pam!
xo,
s
MS says
See you in Cincinnati Saturday. I’ll be there to buy the book (which I’m really excited about doing-very few opportunities to actually support the bloggers you love! So get over that part, I want to buy the book. Let me!) And of course, thrilled that my city is your first stop. We’re nice people, you’ll love it.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks MS!
xo,
s
suzanne says
Congratulations to you both! The book tour looks busy and I’m sure will go swimmingly with all your dedicated fans! I’m so excited for you guys and wish you much success!
jessica says
PHILLY! PHILLY! (Well, actually, BETHLEHEM, PA! BETHLEHEM, PA! We’re cute and fun, I promise!)
Brooke says
This book had a three and a half year gestation! For most of us YHL fans, I imagine it will feel as if we’re opening up a book written by some *friends — which doesn’t happen very often, so I can’t wait!
*friends that consistently put great thought and creativity into all that they do—so of course it’s going to be an awesome book!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Brooke!
xo,
s
Julie says
Come to Oklahoma City! :)We’re just a few hours from Dallas!
Paula says
So sad that you cant make it out to Montreal for the tour(enter sad canadian face here) but Im SO EXCITED to get your book. I was all over that preorder.
Good luck & I’m sure you guys wil be great! You’re living the dream!
Catherine Lajoie says
I’ve been a long time reader (back when it was This Young House) and my family (marriage and a child on the way) has grown as our homes have changed much like yours — and to see this book come to fruition is so exciting!! Many congratulations!!! (and I hope Philadelphia will be a stop! West Elm Philly?) Cheers!
Beth T. says
hooray hooray hooray!!!! i am SO excited about the Charlotte stop. You made my day! I will be there for sure!!!
Lesley says
Just had to say how excited I am for you both!! I just made my per-sale order of the book. And everyone I know is getting a copy for the Holidays! It will be an early present for ME! XXOO
Dianna says
Can’t wait to get my two copies. One for me, one to share the “love”.
Good luck!
Dianna
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Dianna!
xo,
s
Zoe says
Oh my goodness I can totally share your excitement …on Monday I got a copy of the book that I have been slaving over…I have illustrated a collection of over 100 hilarious stories…and also designed the book cover. I shared with you on of the stories a few weeks back…the DIY project with spicy language.
http://www.mrbison.com/its-a-real-book/
Exciting times…and I can’t wait to see your book!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so exciting Zoe! Congrats, congrats, congrats!
xo
s
JoDi says
So excited it’s coming out soon and can’t wait to get my copy!! Looking forward to some great project ideas and a little piece of YHL to keep on my bookshelf.
You should be proud. I still can’t believe you tackled such a huge project with a toddler and full-time jobs running this blog. You guys are amazing and beloved by your readers!
Shannon says
I’m sorry if this question has already been addressed here or elsewhere, but regarding the Chicago book signing specifically, there are different times listed on your page and on the Facebook site. Also, is the store guaranteed to have enough books if everyone would happen to pick up their copy there? According to Facebook there are over 600 people coming–that’s a lot of books to sign! Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the questions Shannon! Unfortunately we just show up where they tell us, so we’re not in charge of bringing the books or choosing the times of each event, but we hear if you have questions you should be able to call that location and hopefully learn more about everything! Everyone organizing the events sees the number of RSVPs, so they hope to be well planned at every stop since they see that number in advance and can plan for it! Here’s hoping! Otherwise I’ll be all nervous and green about THAT! Haha.
xo
s
Terra says
So excited to get my hands on the book! Thank you for being so honest and real on this slice of the interwebs…I think it’s why people love you so much and why so many people are thrilled to get your book! Also- I vote for a Northern California stop on the tour! :)
annie says
First, YAY FOR YOU GUYS. The book looks fantastic. It’s going to be great!
Second, YAY FOR ME since you are coming to CLT and *maybe* ATL. I am halfway between and totally stoked to go to either location! :D
Heather says
This is soooo awesome! Congrats on your book almost living on book shelfs! I can’t wait till my copy can find it’s way home to me! I wish I owned a super cool store that I could invite you too! Hopefully some place in Orlando will realize that your sweet family needs to come here! Cheers to you guys! :D
Lisa Camann says
Yay! I see you’ve added Charlotte to the tour – can’t wait for autographs!!
Divina says
OH. EM. GEE. NJ. EEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!! If you can’t tell, I’m very excited that you’ll be in my area. Need to plan a sit in to make sure I get to see you guys. Can’t wait!
valerie shea says
SO SO SO excited that yall added another RVA date- now my sister and I can come AND celebrate our birthdays with yall! Will we need to purchase tickets for the Mongrel location? Just curious because the tickets for the first RVA location sold out in like 4.9865 seconds (:
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t think that’ll be ticketed, so it might just be a line for a signing which should be great because everyone can come on down! We’d love to meet you Valerie!
xo
s
kim says
When you are in Houston check out Thread on 19th street in the Heights if you have time. It’s a children’s consignment shop – adorable clothes for Clara!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds adorable!
xo
s
Lisa T says
This is exactly the kind of post of why we all love you guys so much! You’re super real and not at all Kardashian in your “fame”. Just keep being who you are!!!
AND PLEASE COME TO PHILLY!!!! Although, I’ll drive to Ridgewood, NJ if you don’t!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Lisa!
xo
s
Lisa in Seattle says
No need to be skeered! Remember that we readers are like spiders – we’re more afraid of you than you are of us. Perhaps the analogy suffers a little in translation. Is John sharing any of these anxieties? Or is he pretty cucumbery about the whole thing?
Speaking of skeered, I am steeling myself for a total “A Christmas Story” scenario, like Ralphie meeting Santa. I’ll get to the front of the line, you’ll say “Who should we make this out to?” and I will totally freeze up. Seriously considering wearing a nametag so I could at least point to it. Your PNW stops fall during my (major milestone) birthday week, but I really can’t imagine anything that would make me happier than the gift of getting to meet you and say thanks for the years of enjoyment following your family’s unfolding story. Even if I have to print out this comment and hand it to you.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! You’re so funny! I can tell John gets overwhelmed/nervous/jittery too, but he’s so sweet that he tries not to dwell or let on- he knows we don’t do well when we’re both freaking out about something, so he’s trying to keep it together for me. Hahah!
xo
s
Anna says
Ahhhh!!!!!! Hip hip hooray for Charlotte! I was so bummed I was not anywhere near any of the other stops and I’m only an hour from Charlotte. :D Can’t wait to find out more deets!
Autumn says
I really can’t believe you aren’t coming to California at all… I am going to march down to West Elm in the SF area and beg them. Hugs!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Autumn! Here’s hoping we end up there somehow!
xo
s
Christine says
I’m in the same boat (yet different). After 3 years of hard work (and many hiccups that are still slowing launch day), I will be opening my new business drawing house plans, after doing them for someone else for 8 years. Ridiculously scared doesn’t even begin to describe how I’ll feel when I quit my full time job to work on MY business full time. For some reason, charging people for your work just feels weird!
You’ll do great with the book. You’ve built up quite the internet ‘family’ that is proud to support all your endeavours.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’ll be amazing Christine! Good luck!
xo
s
Jessalyn says
Really hoping an Atlanta stop happens. Would love to see you guys!
Ofelia, México City says
But of course its a big deal! Its great and exciting and ¿scary?, sure!, adventure! But totally worth it, I bet it. Always is a little intimidating thinking that our words are printed black on white forever. I know it for sure, I’m a former journalist and writing is my way to earn for money so I can to put food on the table. So, doing a book is a brave, thrilling and impressive thing, from here to ahead enjoy the journey, this will be plenty of good things. Congratulations!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Ofelia! You guys are the best.
xo
s
Michelle says
How exciting! Cannot wait to get my hands on your book. Congrats!
It my dreams you are doing a second book that focuses on paint and decor!!
Teresa @ wherelovemeetslife says
I hope this post helped Sherry!! :) You guys deserve all that you are getting…you work so hard. Anyone who has done some DIY or tried to blog can understand the hard work and dedication that comes along with it. Don’t sell yourself short! You guys have done so much in the blog world and have inspired in many ways. Helpful tips and lots of great ideas are always available from both of you. Take deep breaths and enjoy every last second of this!!! All that work is paying off, just as it should.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Teresa!
xo
s
Sarah says
I can only imagine what you are feeling but I wouldn’t worry because y’all are amaz-a-balls! It is hard not to connect with you guys. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy and look through it….dreaming of my future house.
I am so glad you are going to do a 2nd one in Richmond, especially since I live walking distance from there!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Sarah!
xo
s
Natalia says
Can’t wait to check out the book! It’s been so fun following your blog over these last few years!
I was so excited to see that you added some dates to the book tour but then sad :( because none of them are in Philly. I’d be more than happy to host a book signing for you at our house if that would get you here (we live outside of Philly)!
jeannette says
your hard work and ethical level-headedness created this opportunity for you. you so deserve it.
xxx
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Jeannette!
xo
s
Katie says
HOT DOG! You added Charlotte!! You can visit Mary Jo’s while you’re here! I’m excited to get your book and I’m sure it’ll be great! Ahhh! Exclamation points!!
Cindy says
When I started my new job, an instructor told us something that has helped me during many a crisis of confidence:
Once you have found your style, you will find your audience. And once you have found your audience, remember that your job will always and only be to “speak” to them, not to the whole world. And the bonus is that you can relax about trying to impress them, because it was YOUR style that drew them to you in the first place.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s amazingly helpful! Seriously, thanks so much for sharing Cindy!
xo
s
Debbie says
While I understand the anxiety, you all should be so proud of all that you have accomplished. You found your passion and constructed at way to turn it into your careers…and then just threw in writing a book in your spare time. Pretty amazing. I”m looking forward to attending one of the events in the Washington, DC area and to have a chance to meet you both. Reading your blog is a treat for me every day, and I can’t wait to plow through the book and get inspired. Congratulations!!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Debbie!!
xo
s
Denise says
I’ve pre-ordered 2 books and one is for my BFF for Christmas, she will be so excited when she finds out it has been signed!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Denise!
xo
s
Holly Marie says
Sherry- thanks for taking the risk to say ‘I”M NERVOUS and what if everyone doesn’t like me?’ Somehow there’s such freedom in just admitting that fear, isn’t there? =) Because not only does it allow you to just get those ‘haunting’ thoughts out of your body, but it allows for readers like us to affirm you and say- rock on girl ;) You guys are wonderful and honest and talented and REAL- and it’s for ALL those reasons we (your best friends, er I mean fans) love you! I can’t WAIT to receive my pre-ordered copy that my husband sweetly surprise ordered for me (but ended up telling me about because I wouldn’t stop dropping hints;)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Holly!!!
xo
s
Dmicole says
What program/application did you use to create your timeline?
Btw, I’m super excited and can’t wait to see you guys during your stop in Houston.
YoungHouseLove says
That was just photoshop. Hope it helps!
xo
s