I feel like this post should be titled, “ebook: the good, the bad, the ugly.” It was SUCH an undertaking, and one I enjoyed every single second of. I thought some of you might want a look into behind the scenes.
It all began some time ago last July when I had an idea. I thought I would write an ebook. But not just any ebook…I wanted to write a book that was published online. I wanted it to be graphically exciting, packed with information, and interactive. Those were 3 things I thought of as I wrote on and off for the next 5 months. And while I photographed and re-photographed our home, finished projects, step by step’s, products I use, and everything else you could possibly imagine.
After most of the writing and photography was complete, it was time to get started on the design. I’m no graphic designer, and my photoshop knowledge is elementary at best. Luckily, I have this amazingly kind and talented friend who agreed to work on the book design. That’s her up there on our couch…y’all have heard me sing Lauren’s praises more than once. Photographer, freelance graphic designer, sweet mama, devoted wife, the best kind of friend, servant heart….she’s sort of the bomb diggity. And I know she’ll LOVE that I just called her the bomb diggity.
Back in January, we started the more intense work on the ebook, beginning and ending our days together, and every now and then, Matt would join in the fun.
He was so excited to be a part. He thought he would impress us by bringing in huge monitors remote to our Macs so we could see the book all large and in charge. It was cool. We turned them off after a day.
But don’t worry, he was able to help with editing, and publishing the book to ejunkie. And randomly and luckily, we had a child’s snow glove lying around for anything we couldn’t tackle. ???
I don’t know why it’s there. There was lots of random around the house during that 2 1/2 months. By the end, we were working on the book 8-10 hours a day, and while I know that sounds dreadful, it’s the way we had to do it.
We’re still just mamas who hang with their kids most of the day long, so we had to put some pressure on ourselves and just get it done. Maybe next time we’ll start 6 months out.
Pretty much every part of the last phase of getting the book out included some spazzing on my part, i.e. bloopers. Even when Lauren took my pictures for the blog and the ebook, I was a total moron. There were WAY more shots like this than the great ones that ended up on the blog and the book. Did I mention that it was me that was spazzing?
And then there was the videos for the book. I will say that the 3 video tutorials in the book were much easier for me to shoot than the welcome video at the beginning of the ebook. Matt was my kind filmmaker and Grayson was our little video editor.
I say that because he pretty much walked in every 5 seconds and we had to cut the camera.
Take a look see for yourself.
EDITED TO ADD: I’m having trouble getting this video to embed…if you wanna see some bloopers of the making of the videos, click here to view it on YouTube.
See what I mean? HIL-AR-I-OUS.
After all the spazzing was complete, and it was time to release the book, we got sick.
And when I say “we,” I mean Benjamin (lauren’s little guy), then Lauren, Rick (her husband), me, and both my kids. Did I tell you that Matt was out of town for a week? The week before the book was to release.
Luckily, my mom came to the rescue to take care of the stomach virus afflicted.
And then she got sick.
In the end, though, it all worked out. We pulled a couple of all-nighters and finished up on time for our March 1 deadline. I know it probably sounds too intense, but again, we both have this commitment to our children, and knowing that, we realized if we didn’t buckle down and make the deadline, we would just keep putting off “until we had time.”
And we all know there’s no abundance of extra time in the life and times of a mommy.
Then this sweet lady, who has become one of my best friends in this little world of mine, agreed to write the foreword because she loved it so much and believed in me.
Talk about humbling.
Even if you’ve not bought the book (or have any interest in buying it), you may have seen it floating around the www. I’m totally honored and blown away, and praying everyone realizes how very much this was this huge dream coming true for me.
For a gross analogy, I’m a little like a pig in the sunshine. Don’t get me wrong, there’s been some real work now that it’s out there. We’ve only had less than 5% have downloading issues, but that was to be expected. For the most part, everyone has been lovely and patient while Matt and I figure out ways to help.
He’s been amazing, talking to readers and arranging gotomeeting’s where he sees their screens and fixes it up real quick. The other plus to all this?
I’ve gotten to talk on the phone with some of you! And been blessed by every conversation. One sweet reader, Libby, emailed last week and said she needed some help. We hopped on the phone that night, and as Matt poked around her PC and got her book downloaded, she and I chatted about furniture, her new booth where she’ll sell it, our mission-minded Matt’s, my kiddos and her four. (twins, no less! amazing woman.)
And after all that was done, my husband hopped on the phone and asked her if she wanted us to pray for her. For strength while her husband was on mission work, for him and his safety, for them in their work with youth.
And I fell in love with him all over again.
And loved her for being the kind of reader…the kind of friend we could pray with.
I’ve learned a whole lot about myself, about others, about the writing process…about stepping through open and scary doors.
About facing fears of failure and gently pushing them away. About friends like Lauren and Layla, and how they’ve stood quietly by my side this last hectic week.
About my husband and what we still want for our family. About balance.
And, in the knowing, I’d do it all over again. And again.
🙂
NOTE: This last week Lauren and I completed another version of the ebook for you if you’ve had any trouble downloading the preview or the book, or if you’d rather just have a simple PDF version. You can find it on the ebook page.
You all did a fabulous job on the book. I purchased it the other day and devoured it within a few hours. I loved every bit of it and feel like I’ve learned some things that I was clueless about before. Creating your Masterpiece will be a tremendous help in getting my little business off the ground. Thanks Shaunna!
Rachel
xoxo
Rachel, you have no idea what that means to me.
😀
xo
shaunna
Shaunna,
I’m still a pretty new follower, but I’ve seen your blog through others and I just love it. This ebook will be my little “treat” on my next pay check. Thank you so much for doing something like this. I, too, have mine own little side business (that I would love to be full time) and I love seeing new ways to finish pieces. From one mommy to another, thanks again for putting your time, love, and effort into such a wonderful project!
Well, the book is fabulous, so you guys did an amazing job! Very excited for you! I can only imagine the work that went into it (and how happy you must be to have your normal lives back!).
Kacey
Shaunna,
I am seriously waiting until my next pay check to purchase this ebook of yours. I downloaded the preview and was instantly in love.
I am still new to all this refinishing and creating my own look in my furniture. You have been a tremendous help doing that.
And from a mommy that works full time, I really don’t know where you find the energy to do it all. You have truly put all you have into the making of this.
Cherie
Can you explain the difference between the 2 versions? What is not included in the PDF version. I can’t wait to purchase it but want to make sure I won’t be missing out on valuable features by purchasing the PDF version.
I bought a gorgeous wood coffee table for $3.00 this past weekend and can’t wait to get busy refinishing it using some of your techniques!
Sure, Christina! THe PDF has everything but the turning pages and videos within the book. There are video links that take you to a private youtube channel. That’s it.
🙂
shaunna
so it does have the before and after pictures?
Absolutely amazing story Shaunna! God is using you in HUGE amazing ways! xoxo
ahhhh what is going on with my computer! For some reason the last two posts (kitchen remodel and this one) all the pictures are huge and stretched and I cant even really tell what they are. I have no problem with any of your others posts. This is killing me. I want to see the pictures. Any idea why this would happen? Do I need to adjust a setting on my computer or something?
Loved reading this post. I had no idea how much work went into this project, they don’t call me clueless for nothing..just kidding. I LOVE the book and have looked it over at least 10 times since i was able to download it. I of course, was one of the ones that had trouble with this…I am a nurse in the school system and am REALLY looking forward to having the summer off so I can try some of your ideas out for myself. It all looks like fun. Regarding your love for Layla from the Lettered Cottage, well that’s how I came across your blog. She and kevin do amazing things too. It’s been fun watching them evolve over the last year and a half. I’m praying for their smooth adoption and for your bundle of book sales!! Cheers, Mary P.
I shared with you in an email how much I love your ebook! I love the beautiful design and every bit of the information….All your hard work shows! I couldn’t stop reading until I went from cover to cover…hehe even though that meant staying up till 1 in the morning 🙂
PS. you have very sweet friends 🙂
ahhhhhh I feel famous now!!!! wink wink Love you guys!!
love this post … love your transparency … love how the Lord is surprising you by using your blog as a tool for Him … hope you feel His pleasure in that! 🙂
Your ebook is a masterpiece! The photos are beautiful and the videos are very informative and helpful. You have inspired me to start a blog so I can share my projects. I’m waiting for the weather to get into the fifties so I can start painting (I live in the Midwest).
Hey there, You’ll need to adjust your screen resolution. You should be able to find it under Start, Display, Screen Resolution. Sounds like it’s too large. Just play with the numbers until the square pages show up right.
Let me know if that helps!
🙂
Your ebook is so amazing- directions and tips are simple and understandable, it made my brain overwhelmed with ideas! I just love your blog and your style! Can’t wait until it gets warmer here in Michigan, let the painting begin!!!
Katie! What a sweet thing to say!!! You just made my morning. 😀
xo
shaunna