I wanted to write a few notes about every writer's favorite subject...agents. They are one of the hardest things to come by, it seems, and then, when you do finally have one, you will do anything to keep them. I think that we become blind to the fact that there are good agents and bad agents.

I found my first agent like we all do, online. Her name, well, I'll just call he G.O. She was with the Writer's Literary Agency. I found their site and submitted my work. They loved it and sent me a contract for review. I signed and bang, I had an agent.

Sounds great, right?

Here's how they explained their operation. My novel was to be placed in a "Looking For" file. Prospective publishers could search this database with keywords pertaining to what they were looking for. If this didn't work, the next step was a fee of, I think it was $90 for 5, yes FIVE direct mailings on behalf of Mrs. G.O. If that didn't work then...more money.

Not once did this woman take my novel out and try to sell it and I think this happens more often than not.

Here's what to do: My editor at VH, where I wrote for awhile told me to check out the Predators and Editors Web site to see what others are saying about G.O. Once there, I found hundreds of similar stories to my own and not a single sale of a book by G.O. As hard as it was to get an agent, it was even harder letting one go...even a bad one.

My point is this: don't be blinded by your enthusiasm. Your work is your business and protect it every step of the way. Research, research, research.