Even though in the end I decided to start out the self-publishing way, I alse did a lot of agent research. Over a matter of years, I searched the acknowledgements pages of thrillers I admired, and compiled a list of about 30 or so agents. These were often glowingly described by the authors as real aces etc etc. If I had gone the 5th Ave route, (and I still may at some point, but with a track record to point to), I will query that list of agents first.
(BTW, I'd be happy to share the list, if you're writing in the thriller fiction genre.)
The Poynter's book which you recommended to me was easily found but it has not yet arrived so my knowledge is still at zero. How would you describe the costs of self-publishing? modest or high? Did you explore overseas for printing or decide to stick with US companies no matter the cost? Or did overseas printing require too high a volumn for a minimum order? (I found that once on a venture I explored years back)
P.S. I found the hurt responces to your comments on the Clancy thread funny - in a schadenfreuden kind of way.