Agents

You need one.

Blessing and a curse. A necessary evil. A detector in a field of mines.

Generally good people. (Everybody has to make money--everybody wants to make money.) The waiting will make you antsy, then curious, then furious.

The most important thing about your agent will be 1) Your relationship with them. 2) Their reputation/expertise.

For my history with agents, read here (Do a "Find" for 'Eric Player') and here, and here.