Sending a query to a literary agent?

1. Ensure that the agent you are querying is legitimate. The Preditors & Editors site should be one place you check. It is not a comprehensive list of all legitimate agents, but it is a valuable resource for information on the snakes in the grass pretending they are agents.
   
   The main rule to keep in mind is that if the supposed agent asks you for money, directly or indirectly, you should run the other direction.
   
   
2. Take a look at this great checklist from agent Janet Reid.