My Entire Query Journey Vlog Part 1

2.5 years of footage. 100+ rejections. 47 breakdowns.
1 agent offer.
~~
PART 2: • My Entire Query Journe...
A PLAYLIST OF MY QUERYING VIDEOS: • I GOT A LITERARY AGENT
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If you liked this video, you might enjoy these:
-I GOT AN AGENT: • I GOT A LITERARY AGENT
-WHAT IT'S LIKE QUERYING IN 2020: • Querying in 2020 (Plus...
-10 TIP TO SURVIVE THE QUERY TRENCHES: • 10 Tips to Survive the...
-LESSONS LEARNED FROM A FAILED QUERIER: • LESSONS FROM A FAILED ...
-PUBLICLY FAILING AT QUERYING: • I (publicly) failed at...
-QUERY & AGENT ORGANIZATION: • QUERY & AGENT ORGANIZA...
~~
I write about dark seas, curses, and-occasionally​-whimsical children. Authortuber. Disabled. AMM round 5 mentee. Repped by Samantha Fabien at Root Lit!
On this channel you can expect writing and book related content including discussions, vlogs, writing process videos, recommendations, and more!
Let's talk writing!
Follow me on...
Instagram: @lindsayjmp / lindsayjmp
Twitter: @puckett_lindsay / puckett_lindsay
"Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic." -Albus Dumbledore

[@sherrylalonde5719]

Okay, you need to be writing screenplays because even though I know how this ends you had me freaking out on the edge of my seat. Give us the next vlog!!! We need more Lindsay!

[@LindsayPuckett]

oh my goodness Sherry I'm so happy you enjoyed! LOL I know I know it was SO mean of me hehehehe

[@rhyedimarco]

THAT CLIFFHANGER WAS BRUTAL! BRUTAL!😭 I’m so excited!😍🤞

[@LindsayPuckett]

EVERYONE IS SO MAD AT ME FOR IT AND THE INNER VILLAIN IS SO HAPPY MUWHAAAHAAHAAHA!

[@rhyedimarco]

You're the best!! I can't believe youuu!!xD

[@hectordillon9261]

I guess im asking randomly but does anyone know a trick to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot the account password. I would appreciate any help you can offer me!

[@lionelmitchell2979]

@Hector Dillon instablaster ;)

[@rhyedimarco]

@@hectordillon9261 haha no worries! I’ve been there so many times before! Try pressing “forgot my password” and it should send you a link through your email to reset it.🙌🏻

[@juliam.3543]

I'm not usually a commenter and I know this is 3 years late, but I just had to say that I LOVE your personality and the way you've formatted this video. I audibly laughed out loud numerous times throughout, and it just goes to show that you can absolutely make a process that's normally so stressful, long, and drab for authors an exciting and uplifting thing. Thank you :)

[@LindsayPuckett]

That means the world to me, thank you! I'm so glad it brightened your day :)

[@tashiswriting]

THAT INTRO THO! 😂 Lindsay I was not prepared for this video, I cried omg. So many emotions!! This was such a raw and beautiful look into the hardships of querying and I really appreciate you making these videos ❤️

[@LindsayPuckett]

Tash! Thank you for checking it out!

[@mbs.writes]

You may not see this but I’ve come back to watch your query journey videos several times since you first posted them. Whenever i get discouraged or I need some inspiration to keep me going - to remind myself that my dream is possible. So just wanted to say thank you for that. I’m so proud of you and I’m so excited to get your book that I preordered. ❤️

[@LindsayPuckett]

This is amazing! I'm SO happy to hear this!

[@bookboop]

I am LOVING seeing your journey!! Thank you for documenting the ups and downs to share with all of us. Excited to see more! Also, the mini jack with the rejections lol

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL Thank you, Rachel! I'm really glad I filmed all this!

[@SaraLubratt]

The intro/theme song? Incredible. "Recently agented author" gave me chills! You got your first rejection 7 minutes after sending it?? How? Lmao that cliffhanger! On to watch part 2...

[@LindsayPuckett]

I feel like a good metaphor for my life was that 1st seven minute rejections LOL haha and thank you!!! XD

[@JennaStreety]

This is now my favorite authortube vlog in existence but also HOW COULD YOU LEAVE US HANGING. I KINDA KNOW WHAT HAPPENS BUT STILL.

[@LindsayPuckett]

MUUWHAAAHAAAHAAAA!! (also thank you omg this was a b*tch to edit so I appreciate!)

[@platoniczombie]

I have a similar feeling about the book I'm writing now, that you did with your first book. Like, I'm writing it, and I know it's f*&king weird, and waaaaaaay out there. (I've mentioned before, there's acrostic poems in it) But it's just this kind of... first person sci-fi account of experiencing Grief, and I don't really see anyone wanting this. And it's one of those stories that I had an idea about years and years ago, that I finally decided to just shut my mind up, do it, write it, and hopefully move on and get back to writing more poetry. If an agent likes, or sees potential enough to sign me and encourage me to write more stories, rather than toil in the void of obscurity, that's really all I'm looking for. I was soooo happy to hear that you got an agent! Keep doing you, and you'll find you're encouraging the rest of us just by you being yourself.

[@LindsayPuckett]

it's so difficult! Hang in there, and thank you so much!!!

[@LiselleSambury]

Omg I’m only two minutes in and I already love this so much 💜

[@LindsayPuckett]

hahaha yay!

[@hudsonmccarthy6267]

The song title. I love you. This video is an utter masterpiece. Everything about it is so incredibly made. Even when you weren't talking, I could feel what you probably felt.And when you were explaining how you felt... THE EMOTIONS WERE REAL! To see an honest look of the highs and lows of querying was so eye opening and how you shared it made me feel like I was on this journey with you. This was so beautifully filmed, so perfectly showing the processes. I cannot wait to watch part two! ❤️

[@LindsayPuckett]

oh my gosh thank you Hudson! That means a lot because you are like the most talent filmographer (is that a word? lol) I know! But what you experienced was EXACTLY what I wanted. People to come along with me and know they aren't alone in the sucky bits haha Love youuuuuu

[@jonielizabeth2242]

Wow. Felt all of this deeply. Thank you so much for being vulnerable and sharing the challenge of the journey. ♡ (Also, that cliff-hanger is HORRIBLE. Well played, my dear... To the next episode!)

[@DanicaGray]

AHHH THAT CLIFF HANGER!!! ahh my heart is genuinely pounding 😂 literally right there with you. this truly is a magnum opus, it’s so good - can’t wait to see the rest!!

[@LindsayPuckett]

OMG thank you Danica!

[@emilykbee6601]

Oh my gosh, even knowing how the journey ends, I don't think I've ever been so stressed watching something on KZbin!!! I might have been about to start crying at the end there! But also thank you for sharing it, it really helps to remember that we all share the emotional roller coaster that is querying :-)

[@LindsayPuckett]

haha thank you so much Emily! :) Sorry I stressed you out though...but whew! It's a messy situation!

[@reneesartarchive2110]

I'm so glad I'm not alone - thank you

[@LindsayPuckett]

rooting for you!!!

[@t.s.611]

OMG LINDSAY!!!! I was kinda away from YT for a bit and came back and THIS!! I am over the moon excited for you! And thank you so much for sharing the entire journey. I think this will be so helpful for aspiring authors when they're out there querying, too! YAAAAAAAAAY🎉🎉🎉

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank you so much, T.S.!!! I really hope it does help others in the trenches feel less alone

[@BayleyMae]

AH!! I loved this so much!! THE CLIFFHANGER!! And that song at the beginning!! Perfect!! But I feel all of these emotions so sooo much!! I really loved how you're taking about your journey so openly! It's nice to not feel alone! Querying takes so much out of you and then when you add life and constant physical pain it gets really hard, I definitely understand

[@LindsayPuckett]

It really is so hard! And you do feel sooooo alone. I'm so glad you could relate because that was my goal! I wanted others to know we are all in this craphole together! hahaha And thank youuuuuu!!! :)

[@trisha4life17]

Omg I love it!!! And I’m first!!!! So so excited!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳🥰🥰🎊🎊🎊🎆🎆🎆🍾🍾🍾🍾🎂🎂🎂🎂🍰🍰🍰🧁🧁🧁🍰🧁

[@LindsayPuckett]

YASSSSSSS

[@sarahunabridged]

I'm watching this as motivation to work on my book and actually post a writing vlog at some point lol. I love this video! So real and such good vibes

[@LindsayPuckett]

That's awesome, Sarah! and omg thank you so much! haha

[@mariannebryan8582]

This is such an amazing video for querying writers to watch! It makes the pain seem (much much) more real than a story time video haha!

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank you, Marianne! And yes! I made this because I was DYING for query content when I started querying. You just feel so alone. I really hope this helps others not to feel that way. We are all in the sucky-part together! haha

[@mariannebryan8582]

@@LindsayPuckett the more people talk about it the more it becomes a rite of passage haha!

[@FeeBee3001]

Thankyou so much for showing this, your journey is so inspiring that you were able to do this with chronic pain. I get chronic migraines and joint pain and it is so hard to work through on days and this reminds me that there are others out here who have done what I want to do with similar or worse pain to what I get.

[@LindsayPuckett]

Yes, Fee Bee! It's so much harder for us, but it helps me too to know I'm not alone! Hang in there

[@urviyi]

Omg. I’m so glad I found your channel! This video is a jewel and just wanted to pop in and say thanks for posting your journey. It’s super inspiring!

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank you so much!

[@TheHappyLittleBee]

I love watching your journey. I am working on my first full manuscript and these videos are so enlightening

[@LindsayPuckett]

I'm so happy to hear that! Best of luck to you!

[@rosalynransawbooks]

I totally get how you feel with querying not being as bad as everyone expects! I went in thinking all the rejections would kill my desire to keep writing, but honestly agents are so skilled in letting you down easy haha I swear some of my rejections have been more encouraging than my requests!

[@LindsayPuckett]

SO TRUE. I love a good, helpful, heartfelt rejection hahahahaha

[@KenColemantheWriter]

Intersting. I am planning on doing this type of vids. The idea is to chronicle my journey. Thanks for showing me the way

[@LindsayPuckett]

so glad you found it helpful!

[@LeilaHolley]

Seems like you had such a great request rate! Also super impressed by how positive you were throughout it. I’ve been really down about the whole process lately so I’m definitely going to come back to this video for a pick me up when I enter the query trenches again! 🤗

[@LindsayPuckett]

awh that makes me so happy, Leila! **cries** Hang in there!!!

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

I loved how you put this together like a story...with an unfair CLIFFHANGER!!! LOL I can't wait for the next part 💜

[@LindsayPuckett]

hehehehehe! And thank you, Katlyn!!!

[@joeycron2831]

Rude way to end this 🤣😂 can’t wait for part 2

[@LindsayPuckett]

**evil laugh intensifies**

[@joeycron2831]

@@LindsayPuckett 🤣😂🤣

[@tejaswinisureshkrishnan4228]

Lindsay this was so helpful! I absolutely love watching all your videos (it keeps me sane while going through the query trenches). I would love it if you can give some tips on handling the offer call. I feel like i would be tongue tied in such a situation and could use a ton of help😂❤

[@LindsayPuckett]

awh thank you so much! I know the channel Alexa Donne has videos about The Call-you should check those out! :) I definitely was nervous! haha

[@tejaswinisureshkrishnan4228]

@@LindsayPuckett Yes I've watched her video like a thousand times I can recite the order of the questions 😂 yet I still feel so underprepared I'm constantly looking for videos on the same🥲

[@mbs.writes]

I’m only 3:04 minutes in, but I love how you have so many different pairs of glasses (maybe it’s because I’m not watching videos in order) but the brown ones on March 1st where did you get those? They’re soooo cute!!! *I’ll probably make a more heartwarming/loving comment once I actually finish the video* 💕

[@LindsayPuckett]

all are from amazon! :) And thank you so much!

[@WhileMirandaWrote]

This video was so well done. Thank you so much for showing all of this and being so open with us!

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank you, Miranda! It was a b*tch to edit lol so I appreciate that. And of course girl!

[@ruubytues]

Lol @ the Aleve. I feel that. Ariel is my favourite Disney Princess. I will always have a soft spot for mermaids. And, I love pirates. I read Pirates! by Celia Rees in elementary school and loved it. Wish there were more female pirate stories.

[@LindsayPuckett]

For real! I LOVE anything set on (or in!) the sea :)

[@hannarose166]

"I was talking to myself on my bed" - ah how relatable. and this video - amazing.

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL I stay talking to myself XD And thank you!!!!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

EXCUSE ME, MA'AM. OMGGG 😂😂😂 I already know how it ends, but gosh darn it the anxiettyyyyy lol This is seriously a great video. I'm so glad you took the time to film it all and I'm excited to see the next installment!

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL Thank you, Meredith! XD I laughed so hard at this comment

[@TehBuggy]

A minute and a half into the video and I’m laughing already 😂 I love your sense of humour 😂 Also, the cinematography? 10\10 I’m glad I’m late catching up with videos so I don’t have to wait after that intense cliffhanger 😂

[@LindsayPuckett]

hahaha lucky you! And thank you so much, Buggy! These were so fun to put together

[@esthermarieandujar]

THE CLIFFHANGER!!!!!!! Lindsay!!!!!! That was cruel but very well timed.

[@LindsayPuckett]

hehehe!

[@MargaretPinard]

NOoooooo, best cliffhanger EVAH, because we know the outcome and our heart is safe with YOU!! 😍😅🤪

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL imagine if I had posted this BEFORE announcing! BIG MEAN hahaha

[@BreeBuonomo]

I’m so excited for part 2! Thank you for keeping it realistic (though lord 7 minutes is rough 😬 I thought my 12 hour rejection was bad).

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL I think I just laughed when I got that rejection so fast. Like, what the heck LOL And thank you, Bree! Glad you enjoyed!!!!

[@charlottesun8557]

Lol rejected in 7 minutes for ur first query made me laugh bc I felt that but hey look at where ur at now 👏🏻👏🏻

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL right? I remember getting that and being like "dang, I hope this isn't an omen of how this process is going to go" LOL

[@baharhoshyar6752]

You’re so cute and hilarious! Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@LindsayPuckett]

haha thank you, Bahar!!! :)

[@readingmajor]

feeling dread, such a mood

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL for real

[@carljcreighton]

hahaha the theme song is so catchy!

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL I'm still awaiting my Grammy award

[@moonpetrie]

Excellent cliffhanger. I would like to know more about what exclusive meant regarding the R&R, and whether you sent the previous or revised manuscript when you got full requests while waiting to hear back about the R&R. On to the next installment!

[@LindsayPuckett]

haha thanks, Moon ;) ah okay so exclusive just means that I can't send the revised MS we worked on together to any other agent for the 30 days while she considers. As for the other requests I got while waiting to hear back, I sent the old version with a note saying I was in the middle of an exclusive R&R and would be willing to send the newest version once the time period is over. All the agents were super cool about it and accepted the revised version (including my current agent! haha)!

[@CharlieeWriter]

This was so cool to watch and thank you so much for sharing!

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@EmmaBennetAuthor]

Such a helpful video, thank you!

[@authorphoebeross7391]

Please begin a comedy sketch channel after the glass witch breaks out as a best seller. Thank you.

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOLOLOL okay but you have to co-host with me! LOL

[@EndoLP]

A seven minute rejection???? God DAMN 😂😭

[@LindsayPuckett]

SO FUN LOL

[@amparoortiz2234]

I CANNOT STOP SINGING THE THEME SONG NOW. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOLOLOL I'm so sorry, Amparo LOL btw-I saw you were speaking for WriteOnCon!!! So exciting! Cant wait to watch!

[@kekayoewa]

Anyways, rewatching these vids now for inspiration :,)

[@LindsayPuckett]

Yay!

[@grapefry]

The theme song took me out. 😂😂😂 The suspense! This was a cinematic masterpiece. queuing up the sequel right now!!

[@LindsayPuckett]

hahaha I'm glad you enjoyed! XD

[@MargaretPinard]

"It's not like I SUCK---that's a good thing to know!" Aww, Lindsey!!!!! 😘You😍are💗speaking💕for All Of Us, babe!

[@LindsayPuckett]

of course! :D We are all amazing haha

[@NinasNook]

THAT CLIFFHANGER! I even know what happens but STILL.

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOLOLOL

[@meaganhilliard4313]

This was wonderful! I loved it! Thank you for sharing your experience and I look forward to part 2 😁 I have a question if you have the time and are willing to answer. After you sent the R&R and you received full requests from other agents, did you send them the original version or the newly revised version that you completed from the R&R? I hope that makes sense. ☺️

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank you so much, Meagan! For the full requests I received during the 30 days the R&R agent had to decide, I just sent the requesting agent an email with the pre-R&R version explaining I had a new version but couldn't send it until "x" date. All of them were super understanding, and when that date rolled around, I sent them all the new version, which they read! :)

[@meaganhilliard4313]

@@LindsayPuckett Thank you!

[@LauraWrites]

Dude that theme song sent me!

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL ready for my Grammy

[@baharhoshyar6752]

Hey Lindsay! I keep coming back and watching your previous videos. It's amazing to revisit your journey. Just curious, was Samantha among the agents you found in these books? Also, can you tell us if the version Samantha liked was the one after the R&R? Thank you!!! :)

[@LindsayPuckett]

Glad you are enjoying these!!!

[@baharhoshyar6752]

@@LindsayPuckett Thanks so much!!!

[@SimNchill]

I really want to read your mermaid book 😭😭😭 if you ever self published it I would totally buy it just saying

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL I hope to publish it in some form one day!

[@dani.dreaming]

That song was beautiful 🤣

[@LindsayPuckett]

LOL thank you. I am impatiently awaiting my MTV music award

[@chelseawritesbooks8763]

This is amazing!!

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank you, Chelsea!!!!

[@Kelly-Martin]

Loooooooooooooooooooooove watching this

[@LindsayPuckett]

Thank you, Kelly!!!!!! :D

[@baharhoshyar6752]

Oh and one more question. From the agents you vetted, how did you figure out they were not schmagents?

[@LindsayPuckett]

I looked up their agency and made sure I recognized some of the books they listed as being from their clients-either by knowing of the authors from twitter, seeing the covers on instagram, booktube, or in bookstores! A publishers marketplace subscription is nice too (I'd just buy one month and vet all the agents you want to query at once!) since you can look each individual agent up and see if they have sales, if the sales were to a major publisher, and for roughly how much!

[@baharhoshyar6752]

@@LindsayPuckett Thanks so much for the awesome tips! You are the best!!

[@reneesartarchive2110]

Oh gosh, I've written a siren book hahaha

[@LindsayPuckett]

They are the best!

[@akossiwak]

You're probably not going to see this but I'm curious what would have happened if you'd received an offer from a previous full request while this agent is considering your 30 days exclusive R&R? I doubt it'll happen to me but I'm so curious. 😆

[@LindsayPuckett]

I had that happen, actually! lol I just sent my old, un-agent-revised book with an email that told them the situation. When the 30 days was over, I send them the newest version and they read that.

[@akossiwak]

@@LindsayPuckett Ohhhhhh! Okay! TYSM for taking the time to reply. 💜

[@KristenLeatherman]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN TO BE CONTINUED ?!?!?!

[@LindsayPuckett]

MUUUWHAAAAHAAAAHAAAHAAAAA