We’ve dropped a few mentions of working on the book lately, so we figured it was about time for another post about the process. Our post two months ago mostly covered the journey to getting the book deal and the beginning stages of writing, but now we’re really in the weeds of things so there’s definitely more to share… and we don’t have to use pics of Burger to illustrate it this time! Sorry Burger.
At the time of our last book post two months back, we had turned in our 160-ish page completed outline and were beginning to coordinate the design process with our publisher. If you recall, the book is a compilation of 250-some ideas for “how to show your home some love” (everything from small art projects, little tweaks, and quick ideas to bigger makeovers involving paint & furniture). Things were trotting along nicely and our publisher, Artisan, was trying to figure out whether to keep our Fall 2012 release date or hold off until Spring of 2013. Sherry and I begged for the earlier date and they agreed – but it meant putting the pedal to the metal. So we buckled our seat belts…
- In a matter of two weeks (the two weeks that happened to fall over Christmas and New Year’s) we had to turn our finished outline into a completely written book. Yikes. But we put our heads down and two dizzying weeks later we had the manuscript done. Phew.
- When we turned the manuscript in to our publisher, she took the next week to read the entire thing and we braced ourselves for edits or rewrites.
- She finished without any major edits (really?!) so it went off to a copy editor – someone who would read it for nitty gritty stuff like grammar and punctuation. It spent a week or so there before coming back to us.
- As you saw in last Monday’s post, this baby arrived last Saturday as a hard copy. Our manuscript now officially lives as a printed document that has our publisher’s edits and the copy editor’s notes marked up in different colored pencils. Our task was to use our designated blue pencil (they included it in the FedEx box) to respond to any questions, agree (or disagree with) all edits, and make any final changes. Scary. Especially because as a single-spaced, single-sided document it’s 375 pages long. We thought it was really funny because we assumed it would all be done via email, so getting a giant chunk of paper overnighted to our house felt sort of official and old-fashioned, but that’s apparently how it’s still done these days! It’s actually a lot easier to absorb the info and catch errors while “really” reading it (as opposed to reading it off of a computer screen) so it ended up being really helpful.
- Once again, we hunkered down and plowed through. It was due back to the publisher by yesterday so we overnighted it to them on Saturday afternoon. Bless Sherry for having the focus to sit down for two days straight and do pretty much nothing but focus on that. It’s how she spent all of last weekend while I watched Clara (and did kitchen stuff while the bean napped).
- After 16+ hours (broken up over two days) just to read through the thing, we then scrambled to fill in some gaps and rewrite some sections just to further explain a few projects/ideas in the remaining four days. Then back to the publisher it went…
But the manuscript is only half of the book process adventure right now. It’s probably less than half, actually. Maybe a third? Because what’s really keeping us busy is prepping for the photo shoots that began yesterday morning. So here’s what’s been going down on that end of things:
- With the 250-ish ideas we’re including, about 100 are going to be photographed. Another 100 will be illustrated and the remaining ones are pretty self-explanatory tips that make sense without an image. So that means 100 of the projects/sets need to be done so we’ve got something to actually photograph. Can we say yikes again? Anyone with a blog knows that churning out enough projects to keep things interesting (maybe 3-4 a week?) is a pretty substantial task. But completing 100 secret projects on top of that? Crazytown. But things are really exciting and fun in Crazytown so we totally can’t complain. Or sleep. But sleep is so 2011. At least that’s what we’ve been telling ourselves as we whirl through projects into the early morning. At least we got to knock out a bunch of them leading up to the shoots, so some are already waiting in the wings to be shot.
- We didn’t really start full force on all of the projects until after the manuscript was turned in for the first time after New Year’s (we didn’t want to do a project that we or the publisher decided to later kill for some reason – but we did churn out a bunch that we knew would stay in). Not doing them all with a lot of lead time beforehand did mean that for those remaining projects, we did only have about 30 days to do them. Eeks. So on pretty much any night over the past month you could find us painting, hanging, sewing, cutting, and shopping for up to five projects. And that pace will continue for the next three weeks until shooting wraps (since many things have to get shot as “before” and “process” pics before being completed). But it’s fun because we’re transforming some pretty ugly things, like this old rusted thrift store table:
- As much work as it’s been, we’re not doing it completely alone. Our publisher hired a producer to help keep things organized (100 ideas doesn’t just mean 100 photos, since many have a before, process, and after shots attached to them – so it’s a lot to keep straight and schedule). We also have someone who has been a big help when it comes to gathering supplies for us. Sometimes it’s faster for us to just grab things while we’re out and sometimes we email her and say “ahhhh, can you help us get blank by such and such a date so we can sand and paint it in time to shoot it? Thanks!”
- And of course we’ve got a pro photographer who’s going to make everything look prettier than we ever possibly could with our little Nikon. So our “crew” of helpers aren’t exactly elves who do all the projects at night (we wish!) but it certainly takes a load off to have such a great team. Since we’re ultimately the people who have to choose all of the items, do all of the projects, decide what rooms/corners to shoot all of the photos, and style all of the shots, we’re still burning the midnight oil.
- As for where things for the book are coming from, we have a pretty modest book budget so we’ve been stalking craigslist, thrift stores, and even borrowing items from some of our favorite stores with their blessing (they’ll be returned in three weeks when shooting wraps). The nice thing about a modest budget is that it keeps us honest (there are a good amount of under $50, under $25, under $5, and even some free projects in our book, so that’s pretty exciting to cheap-os like us). And yes, sometimes Sherry gets hyper when we’re picking out accessories (our aim is to style things so they look fresh for you guys, since reusing all the things we already have around our house that you’ve seen a million times would be kind of stale).
- And our house? Well, it’s a mess. We’ve got projects at mid-completion here and there (we need to save some that are halfway done to shoot progress photos, so we can’t just knock them all out at once). We’ve got tons of thrifted furniture piled in the sunroom just waiting for a makeover. There are a bunch of fabric and frames and accessories stacked on the dining table. Paint cans pepper the floor. We even have frames missing from the hallway where we’ve repurposd them for book projects. Nothing is sacred. Haha. Again, in a word, it’s a mess. But it’s pretty exciting chaos.
- Being the over-sharers that we are, we’d love to tell all of the details of every project right now (#ohmanit’skillingus). But I’m not sure our publisher would be very happy with us ruining the surprise. So here are a few hint-y sneak peeks:
- Our guestroom has kinda become home to all of the completed projects. The dining room is home to all of the things in progress and the sunroom is where we’re housing all of the things we can’t touch until before photos are taken. Here’s sort of what they look like (well, as much as we can show ya)…
- So that thing that Sherry mentioned at the end of yesterday’s post that lasts three weeks is some pretty crazy-but-exciting book photography. Most of it will be going on from 8:30am to 6pm four days per week for the next three weeks, so nearly our entire February will be spent on a photography set. Well, actually the set is our house for the most part – so it’ll be three weeks of being in our house-turned-photo-studio. We finish just a few days before flying out to Oregon for the Portland Home & Garden Show, so it will definitely be a jam-packed month. Thank goodness it’s only 29 days long!
- Yes, we’re pretty much hosting a little crew of people in our house for the better part of a month so we’ll have to tell you how that goes! They’re all awesomesauce so far, and yesterday we banged out a ton of before photos and as soon as they left we were painting and upholstering and doing all the things we can now do since those “before” shots are in the can. Gotta tell ya, it feels good to get this thing going – and we already can’t wait for the book to be out so we can spill the beans about all these secrets. We’re taking lots of behind the scenes photos to share with you guys this fall when it comes out!
Update: Lots of folks are asking what we’ll be doing with all those secret projects/items once the book is shot. We’re actually hoping to do a charity auction/giveaway with some of them (not sure how shipping will work though) and some items have to be returned, etc. Maybe one or two especially sentimental ones will stay at our house, but they’re all “bonus” projects (we didn’t “design” any of them to fit into our house, which is actually really freeing since we can have fun with lots of color/fabric/textures, etc) so it should be fun to see where they end up!
So our apologies to anyone who left a comment yesterday and took a little longer than normal to see it pop up or get a response! We’re definitely juggling things over here when it comes to keeping the blog and the book (and the bean) attended to. And as nuts as the next month is going to be for us, we’re so grateful for the opportunity and so excited to share the whole crazy journey with you guys as we go. Anyone else dealing with someone visiting them for weeks on end? Or keeping 100+ secrets that are slowly burning a hole through their brains? Tell us about it. Or just tell us how crazy our house looks. Go.
Psst- Thank goodness our bean sleeps the night away so we can get stuff done (check out her technique over on Young House Life).
Richard says
Can’t wait for the book release! Good luck with the publishing and distribution and whatever else goes along with getting a book to the public!
Lauren says
Just for the record, I would NOT be offended (I don’t think I’m alone on this one either) if you all took a for real vacation from YHL blog posts once all of this is done. Everything you all have going on sounds truly insane, and I feel bad that you all are still bending over backwards to keep your readers entertained 2x daily. At least cut back the posts for the next few weeks while all of this photography stuff is happening? For what it’s worth…
Suni says
I’m so excited for you guys!! What a thrilling and exciting thing to be doing in your life, writing a book, getting to do fun projects as well as just doing the things you like to do. I’m SO excited for this book to come out, can’t wait to read it cover to cover, I can always use new ideas for my house! Hugs!
James Lenhart says
I just learned something about publishing books. Keep up the good work!
Angie says
How about a drawing for the giveaways from among those who pre-order the book through your website? Drive book sales with projects completed for/in the book… Good stuff, huh?
Lisa says
I am so excited for the book! Keep on keepin’ on – you guys are doing great!
Nicole says
Congratulations to you!! So excited, cannot wait to purchase your book. As far as giveaway’s go, I am not able to join in
on the fun because where we live our internet is satellite and we are only a loud to download so much stuff. You have a lot of readers so I am not able to comment on them.
I just wanted to send a shout out to you, John, Clara and Burger that we are so excited for you!!!
Congratulations from northern cali!!
Patti says
EEEEK! So excited for you!!!! I’m already predicting this book will be my diy bible … yes please and thank you YHLovers!
Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys says
I’m so excited about the book – it’ll be on my Christmas list for sure!
Lauren says
YAAYY!! I can’t wait for the book and neither can my best friend. It’ll be so fun to do the projects in them with her. Thanks you guys :) Woo hoo!
Brooke says
Congratulations on the big book project! It’s so exciting, and I really admire the way you guys are really flinging yourselves into it. Sounds like a lot of fun (in addition to a lot of work). Can’t wait to purchase the final product!
Jordan says
Congratulations, J-Boom and $herdog! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book! I’m so excited for yall! If you get to do a book tour, you should head down to north Florida!
Just an idea for some/all of the projects: if you get to do the tour, you could always take a couple of items with you and give one or two items away at each stop. That would definitely be a cool thing to have done. Might be a little complicated, hard, maybe impossible, but always a idea!
Jillian {Her Split Ends} says
You guys rock! can’t wait to run out and buy the book. Keep truckin…you are almost there {and out of crazytown}
Claudia says
Dear Sherry & John,
Reading your blog is one of the highlights of my day. I stand in awe of how creative you are and how much you do day in and day out. But I’m also worried about you. Something’s gotta give when you take on as much as you do, and often it’s health and sanity that go first. Please, please slow down just a bit. Don’t forget to take care of yourselves. You are a model of cheerfulness and enthusiasm, but it makes me nervous to think how exhausted you must be at the same time. I’m sure many of your readers will understand and be there for you if you post a little less for a while. We don’t want you to burn out, but to remain the wonderful, inspiring presence you are online for a long, long time!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Claudia! We definitely are jamming along at a crazy pace these days and it’s totally not sustainable but we can do it for three more weeks! Then we’ll sleep and breathe and relax and never bite off this much again! Haha. Just gotta keep the momentum up and bang this out! We know holding our book in our hot little hands this fall will be all worth it and then some!
xo,
s
Cindy W. says
This is so exciting! Although it’s far less intense, I can relate on a smaller scale. I work FT and have started a business on the side, so I’m up until the wee hours sewing, painting, etc. Good thing I love it so much, because I am so.tired. (and not as young as you!) :) xo
Krista says
Congrats on the exciting progress! Can’t wait to see the finished book! I have a suggestion for what to do with the projects. You could auction them off to raise money for a charity. Maybe Habitat for Humanity or something else you are passionate about.
Kara from kara paslay designs says
Hey guys! Tim and I just wanted to say we’re so excited for you! We loves seeing other people achieve their dreams! Keep pushing, your book is going to be such a hit! Can’t wait to get our copy!
Bethany says
You guys blow my mind on a regular basis. I am SO pumped for this book!
Carla says
good luck with everything! what will you do with your time once this is all done?! i don’t think the world would mind if you took a looong vacation…. to georgia of course so you can post about you and katie b :) xo
Katie J. says
This is so exciting! I can’t wait to buy your book! I
Katie J. says
… don’t know what happened there. :)
teresa says
I am relatively new to the blog (found it on a random search for info on painting cabinets right after Christmas) and the more I read, the more I LOVE! Just wanted to share with you guys that I find your story über amazing and inspiring! Wishing you all the best, the book will be on my wishlist as soon as it’s available! Happy shooting and project creating! :D
Erin says
I’ve been following your blog for the last year and can’t tell you how excited I was to find out you are coming to Portland. I think I may have done a happy dance. Thanks for keeping us on the west coast in mind!
Chelsea says
I am so excited for the book to come out! Sadly I am not a huge reader but HECK YEA I will be reading this one! Can’t pass something amazing like that! I feel like a little kid waiting for christmas to get here…
So pumped :)
Katie says
You guys are amazeballs. Seriously don’t know how you do it. I have an 18 month old (and am currently growing another one, haha) and feel like my day was productive if I did some laundry and picked up the house. I cannot wait for the book to come out…it will feel like I’m buying the book my besties wrote. Cause, you know, we’re tight like that. Congrats on all the progress! Keep up the incredible energy!!
Ashley says
The amount of paint cans in that picture are insane! And so are ya’ll, but in a good way. If you’ve gotta be busy doing something, it might as well be something you love! Excited to read your book (especially ’cause it looks like you’re making over Target furniture? Maybe?)!
Joy says
Wow, watching your blog grow over the last few years, I was already 100% blown away with how disciplined you guys are (not to mention conscientious about answering comments). After all the blogiversary and behind-the-scenes posts, I knew for sure you folks are extremely hard working. Now, I just don’t even know when you find time to sleep. I’m in awe (and this is coming from the girl with 4 jobs+college). You both inspire your readers daily with projects and ideas, but reading about the work that has gone into your success is inspiring in an even more transcendant way. Well done!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Joy! You’re so sweet!
xo,
s
Jamie says
Just so you know, I WILL be purchasing your book!! I have been following your blog for a few months now and are even back reading your entries! I am in love with your house and all that you have done with it. And the fact that you all do it on a tight budget makes it that much better! I have even gotten a few friends hooked on your blog :)
Good luck with the rest of the book making process!
Jamie @ JustStuffForFun
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jamie!
xo,
s
Christina says
What an awesome time in your lives!
“You can sleep when you’re dead” is what I always say.
I wish you great luck! : )
Rach says
Holy wow.
And I’m so jealous that you are going to the Portland home and garden show….it’s my hometown where all my family lives still. You will love it there! It’s a fun show too….good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Rach! We can’t wait since we’ve never been there before!
xo,
s
Sam says
This will sound oddly stalkerish, but I love you guys :) Thanks for keeping it real!
Tabitha says
Thank you for sharing your progress with us! It’s awesome to know the crew and work it takes to publish/produce a book! Wish you all the best with the release.
paula says
Looking forward to the book! You should start a temporary online store to get rid of the projects once your book comes out!
KB says
I am very excited by the book news, but since I have the attention span of a gnat, I’m actually even more excited to know where you got the pillows shown on Karl with the manuscript. I don’t recall seeing these particular couch candies before, and they would be lovely in my living room …
YoungHouseLove says
The one on the right is really old from West Elm (it used to live in our first house’s office) and the other one is from HomeGoods! Hope it helps.
xo,
s
Jenna says
I can hardly believe that you guys are able to keep up with the blog and projects here as well as the book. You’re amazing! I really appreciate that you’re not putting the blog on the back burner {though I would understand if you did}. And I can’t wait to read the book!!!
Melissa Evans says
Exciting and insanely BUSY times!! Way to go you guys!! Huge pat on the back…very well-deserved!! Can’t wait for the book!! and the behind the scenes stuff…once you can share it :)
Marlena says
So exciting! Can’t wait to read more.
On a side note, even though I don’t live in Portland, I am lucky enough to visit often, since my BFF lives there. In fact, I just got back last week.
Anywhoodle, if you have time, some of my favorite stores: Cargo (unique and wacky new and vintage items), Cielo Home (shnazzy, but the owners are super nice). The entire Pearl District has so much to see that is unique and lovely, and you can ride the free (downtown) trolley.
For eats, also in the Pearl, is a place called Andina. It’s pricey-ish, but worth it as a treat! I also love Ken’s Pizza and Cha Cha Cha. You will have so much fun there! Really, Portland is the only city I’d move to.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the recommendations! It sounds awesome.
xo,
s
Kimberly says
“Awesomesauce”! :) that’s my new favorite word! So excited for you and to read the book someday soon! Now, get some rest! Sheesh, I am tired just reading about it all.
Kim W Rily says
What are you going to do with Clara?
I can’t imagine you could do a photo shoot and feed and wrangle a little person at the same time. Is Grandma babysitting a lot?
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah, Grammy and Tom Tom (my parents) have been very helpful this week!
-John
Megan @ Two Live Colorfully says
So exciting! Ya’ll are so tricky with the blocked out pictures! I cannot wait for this book!
Melanie says
Hello from Australia!
So excited to know your book will be here this year!! Fingers crossed we can get it here in oz!!
Keep up the good work!
Love you guys!
Kimmie says
Wow, that is so impressive that you guys are able to keep up the blog, Clara, and everything else at the same time as doing all this book stuff! I’m super excited about the book coming out (no idea that it was ALL NEW stuff! and not just already-documented projects) and I’m going to be sure to purchase the book when it comes out! I can’t wait :)
Rae says
Oh my goodness, if you can find it in your heart to come to Georgia for a book signing, you would seriously make my year! You guys are so awesome, and I can’t wait to add your book next to my design library.
anna see says
F-reakin’ out here! That is so awesome. Don’t forget to EAT. Seems like quite a crazy schedule, guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Anna See! We’re trying to eat (and even drinking water and downing veggies). Gotta keep the ol’ energy level up!
xo,
s
Cara says
Holy smokes! I’m guessing the work/life balance resolution will start in March.
Polina says
You guys are pretty much my role models for hard work and efficiency. Looking forward to buying your book!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Polina!
xo,
s
Nicole says
Ah, this is so exciting!! I cannot wait for your book to come out! You two are awesome!!
Trisha says
Holy bananas! I vote relaxing vacation once this process is said and done.
YoungHouseLove says
Amen!
xo,
s
caroline says
#ohmanyourekillingme
i so wanna preorder AS SOON AS I CAN
caroline says
… And im not the type to preorder…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, aw thanks! We can’t wait to have that book in our hot little hands either!
xo,
s
Jo says
Sorry if you’ve already answered this one, but I’m an avid reader from the UK and know I already want your book on my birthday or Christmas list for this year. Will I/my Hubby be able to purchase it over here? My fingers are very tightly crossed, as absolutely loving your work!!! X
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! We think so! We’re hoping it’ll be internationally available on amazon.com so we”ll have to double check and share more details when we know more!
xo,
s