Just as an addendum:
Not only do not send up-front money to an agent, but be adamantly skeptical of anything he wants to sell you, be it a guide, memoir, editing service, whatever. Do your own editing, as you’ve done your own writing. If the agent claims your ms. just needs a tweaking to be sold, and that he’s got a bargain, or a good friend in the business, flesh him out, but don’t be hooked. Book doctors, skimscam reviewers, scalphunters…watch out for some creepy shadow named Victor West. If everybody steadfastly refuses to pay fees, all these frauds will go out of business. This forum is a great place to spread the news. Tell a friend.