July 31, 2010– Word comes this morning from my grammarian/editor that she is well into reading the  final (?) copy of my Iron Grip manuscript.  It is now 32 chapters, approx. 67,500 words. This dear friend read about four chapters at a time, sent them back with suggestions, then informed me that she wanted to read the entire manuscript.  That was mailed to her about ten days ago.  I have sent queries by email to six agents who consider handling memoirs and prefer to receive a query by email, and mailed queries with SASE to two who want them by post.  I've received four, very polite "no thanks."  Each saying they have too much on their "plates" right now but wishing me luck.My pleasant surprise: As I've studied the entries of publishers needs in Writer's Market, I'm finding that many (contrary to popular opinion) accept queries from and do publish books by first time authors and  consider queries and manuscripts submitted directly by the authors rather than via agents.  The list is LONG, and so my work is cut out for me–querying these.  Good writing to you, Willma