I will post back here as I hear anything. Responses should start hitting my inbox in about six weeks.

I have an extensive list of agents to start with. Should I exhaust that list I will make a new one. I believe my story will find a good home.

Thanks for sharing this exciting moment with me. Reason number 67 why I love DU.

I started my novel in 1993, it's mostly the novel I'm not writing. I'd like to finish it by the end of the year. Am amazed when someone can do all that in two years. Good luck.

So I had the time. Even when I put it in the drawer for a few months, it was all I could think about. I could keep editing and rewriting for ever. I had to decide it was done. When I wasn't working on the manuscript, I was learning about agents and publishing.

I know there will be more work to do once an editor gets their hands on it. This story was an idea I had several years ago. One day I sat down and started to write. I wrote it all out by hand with my trusty fountain pen. Writing made me happy. I did a lot of write drunk and edit sober. I'm surprised where the story went.

Keep going forward! Finish your story. The book that changes your life most, might be the one you write. Not sure who said that but it has stuck with me.

I'm still surprised by the character who showed up unannounced and had wonderful things to do and to say. I was so sad when he had to die. My husband said, "That's what happens when you're God."

When I approached editors, I self-published my political book on Lulu a years ago in 2008. I then bought paperback books of my book, and then when I submitted my manuscript of the book to editors, I also included the book. It got me responses, and one editor said if I made certain changes she would accept he book! I made the changes, and it was published. Unfortunately it only sold one printing as her publishing house got merged, but without the book I sent her, I never would have gotten noticed. I made about $3,200 from all sales, so my $50 investment in my paperback copies paid off.

I don't offer the book for sale anymore, as it was a political book written during the 2008 Democratic Primary (I regained publication rights from the multinational).

back from the agent?
I found this site and you might be interested

http://www.authorspublish.com/download-the-2017-guide-to-manuscript-publishers/

Authors Publish has lots of places that accept manuscripts without an agent.
Good Luck!