8/26/10: I finally completed writing my Memoir, "Iron Grip," and have queried about a dozen agents and publishers–so far.  The run-up to "completion" has been the reading and editing of a professional editor friend.  She  read chapters one by one as I mailed them to her.  The asked to see the entire Ms for a final reading.  I incorporated her final suggestions–all good. Among the "editors" of this Ms have been members of two of my writer workshops.  I have received excellent suggestions  from them, as well as from the professional editorI urge all writers to submit their writing before submission to a professional editor, if you possibly can.  No matter how many times authors review their own work, we miss some mistakes and can profit by suggested re-wording, or even the suggestion to change a single word.The summation to date is that one publisher to whom I sent a query asked to see the first 50 pages.  I guess this is a step in the right direction.  At any rate, it is my first breath of encouragement since five of the recipients of  required emailed submissions of queries, respond with "thanks but no thanks." –Willma