Thank you for the advice! Right at the moment I have gotten into this stubborn frame of mind where I am determined to go this alone and beat the system myself. I think it is partly a reaction to the indifference I have experienced with editors at magazines and a resulting lack of confidence in my writing ability. I think if an agent approved my work I'd not believe them and suspect some ulterior motive :))

@@guyriddihough My friend, look at the size of you and then look at the size of the system. And then ask yourself, which has the most energy? And do you think you have enough energy to beat the system? But you do have enough energy to play the system, to work the system. And enough intelligence to analyse the system. To get on you must do what works not what your ego wants. Tough words but it's a tough business. I've written 86 novels and had six best sellers so I kinda know what I'm talking about. And it's best that you give the public what they want, not what you think they want. Best wishes to you.