I made a big mistake years ago and sent a manuscript on prayer to an agent
who advertised in Charisma magazine.  After sending it, he said he would
give me a 50 percent discount so if I would send him 350 dollars, he'd get
to work on making contacts.  He got so he wouldn't answer his phone when I
called but let the answering machine pick it up.  I finally wrote and asked
him for references and if not the actual author's names, the titles of their
published works so I could check them out at the library.  He claimed to
have gotten dozens of people published.  He never answered that letter but
sent my manuscript back.  Thank God I never paid him a dime.

Phil.