I need help with e-mails.

I could go into all sorts of details explaining "spam things", but you just want something that works.

Here my suggestion. First, send the agent an e-mail telling them that you were be sending your file later as an e-mail attachment (be sure the agent does accept submissions by e-mail, and a manuscript as an attachment). This will accomplish two things: this will alert them to check their spam folder, and, if they do add you to their safe sender list, your e-mail should go through even with an attachment. Also, be sure your e-mail (including your subject line) doesn't include any possible "bad words"--those typically used by spammers. Your manuscript might be titled Sex in Omaha and some spam filters will automatically send anything with the word sex to the spam folder. Some filters are very sensitive to this.

Generally, if someone replies to an e-mail, the addressee will automatically be added to the person's address book and will be assumed to be a "safe sender" and e-mail from that person will be allowed to go through, so you could also ask for the agent to reply to your first e-mail.

Attachments are considered particularly dangerous; just clicking on an attachment could launch virus software.

I use a Hotmail account (MSN/Windows Live) for my main email. You must add the address to your contact list in order for email from that address to be permitted into your account.

Open your mail client -- I just log into MSN Mail on the web -- find the Contacts list, and add the email addresses you want to keep.

I check my junk mail just as often as my regular inbox to make sure I didn't miss anything. If you see a normal name amongst the Rep|1caW@tches and Cash4Gold junk, it could be an email you're expecting.

Wayne there are higher than normal tendencies for servers, before the email gets to a user, to block MSN, Hotmail, or AOL email.

I would try using a free account from Google or Yahoo. Use your name as the ID--that is not [email protected], or whatever.

Avoid exclamation points in the Subject; do have a clear Subject.

And DO check your own email junk or spam filter folders regularly.

And yes, adding them to your contacts is a good idea.