We’ve mentioned our book project a few times recently, so it felt like a good moment to share an update about how the process is going. Our previous post covered getting the book deal and the early stages of writing; now we’re deep in the middle of it, so there’s plenty more to report.
At the time of our last update, we had turned in a roughly 160-page outline and had begun coordinating design with our publisher. The book is a collection of about 250 creative ideas for “showing your home some love” — everything from small art projects and quick tweaks to larger makeovers involving paint and furniture. Things were moving along well, and our publisher, Artisan, was weighing whether to keep a Fall 2012 release or push to Spring 2013. We pushed for the earlier date and they agreed, which meant we had to speed up our schedule considerably.
- Over the course of two intense weeks that spanned Christmas and New Year’s, we turned our finished outline into a full manuscript. It was a whirlwind, but we completed it on time.
- Once we submitted the manuscript, our editor spent a week reading it before passing it along. We braced ourselves for substantial edits but were relieved when she returned it with no major rewrites requested.
- From there it went to a copy editor who checked grammar, punctuation, and consistency. After about a week that version came back to us with notes and queries to address.
Shortly after, we received a printed copy of the manuscript with the publisher’s edits and the copy editor’s comments marked in different colors. The physical proof was single-spaced, single-sided, and 375 pages long — a lot to work through. The publisher included a blue pencil for us to record our responses and final changes. While we’d assumed everything would be handled by email, the printed proofs made it easier to catch details and to read more thoroughly, so the old-fashioned approach turned out to be helpful.
- We hunkered down and worked through the proof, returning it to the publisher by the deadline. Sherry dedicated two consecutive days to reading and responding to the notes while I kept things running at home and cared for Clara between naps.
- After about 16 hours spread over two days just to read through the book, we filled gaps and rewrote sections to clarify certain projects and ideas. Then it went back to the publisher for final review.
The manuscript is just part of the workload. The photography side of the book is keeping us especially busy right now. Of the roughly 250 ideas we’re including, about 100 will be photographed, roughly 100 will be illustrated, and the remainder are straightforward tips that don’t require images. That means we need completed sets for about 100 projects so they can be photographed — a daunting but exciting task.
- We didn’t start full-scale project production until after the initial manuscript deadline because we didn’t want to build props or complete projects that might be cut. That left us about 30 days to finish many of the remaining projects, so most nights over the past month have involved painting, hanging, sewing, cutting, and shopping for multiple projects at once.
- Some projects were completed in advance and are waiting to be photographed, which helped. Still, many items must be shot with “before,” “process,” and “after” images, so timing and sequencing are important.
- We’re not doing this alone. The publisher hired a producer to organize the schedule and logistics, and another person helps gather supplies. That support has been invaluable for keeping everything on track.
- We also have a professional photographer who’s been making the projects look better than we ever could with our own camera. Even with that help, we’re responsible for choosing items, completing the projects, selecting rooms and vignettes for each shot, and styling everything — so it’s still a lot of late nights and decision-making.
- Our modest book budget means we’ve been sourcing items from Craigslist, thrift stores, and borrowing from friendly shops with permission to return things after the shoot. A lower budget keeps the projects realistic and accessible — you’ll find lots of ideas under $50, $25, $5, and even some free projects in the book.
As for our house, it’s in controlled chaos. Projects in various stages of completion are spread throughout: the guestroom is full of finished pieces, the dining room houses items in progress, and the sunroom stores pieces we can’t touch until their “before” photos are taken. Fabric, frames, and accessories crowd the dining table, paint cans dot the floors, and thrifted furniture waits in piles. It’s messy, but it’s productive and exciting chaos.
- For the next three weeks we’ll be running a heavy photography schedule, typically from about 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., four days a week. Most of the shoots will take place in our house, which is essentially turned into a temporary photo studio. We wrap just before a trip to the Portland Home & Garden Show, so February is shaping up to be extremely busy.
- We’re hosting a small crew in the house for several weeks. They’ve been great so far, and we’ve already completed a lot of “before” shots so we can start painting, upholstering, and finishing pieces right away.
We’d love to reveal more details about every project, but we don’t want to spoil surprises before the book is published. That said, here are a few hints: many projects are colorful and playful, and several involve transforming thrifted or ordinary pieces into fresh, budget-friendly looks. Some items will be auctioned or given away for charity after the shoot; others must be returned to their original owners. A few particularly sentimental pieces may stay with us, but most of the project pieces were created as extras for the book rather than to permanently fit into our home.
We apologize if response times to comments have been slower than usual — juggling the blog, the book, and family life keeps us on our toes. Despite the hectic pace, we’re grateful for this opportunity and excited to share the journey. We’re taking lots of behind-the-scenes photos and can’t wait to show more when the book comes out this fall.
Update: Many people have asked what will happen to the project items after photography. We hope to hold a charity auction or giveaway for some, though shipping logistics are still being worked out. Some borrowed items will be returned, and a few sentimental pieces may remain with us. Overall, these projects gave us a chance to experiment with color, texture, and pattern outside the confines of our everyday home.
So yes, our house is messy and full of secrets at the moment, but we’re having a blast. Anyone else hosting a crew for weeks at a time or keeping a long list of creative secrets? Tell us about it — or just tell us how crazy our house looks. Go ahead.
P.S. Thankfully our little one sleeps through the night so we can get some work done. If you want a peek at her technique, check out Young House Life.